| If you were to ask almost any group of people what | | | | per pound! Just imagine how unhappy the boss is |
| they know about plastic injection machines, I would | | | | when there is a high rate of scrap! |
| be willing to bet that very, very few have any idea | | | | 6. Some molding machines operate with no human |
| whatsoever what they do or how they operate. | | | | present, 24/7. This is called, "Lights Out." |
| There might be the occasional person who worked in | | | | 7. If a human gets caught between the two halves |
| a plastics factory in high school, or perhaps there is a | | | | of a molding machine when it is closing, they will be |
| mechanical engineer who has read about these | | | | completely crushed. The machine has pressure |
| machines. But, typically, very few have any | | | | sensors, but if these are not activated, or |
| meaningful concept of these important machines. | | | | malfunction, the molding machine, also known as a |
| Just take a look around where you presently are: I | | | | "press" will close and crush anything that is not |
| imagine there is a computer, keyboard, mouse, water | | | | supposed to be there. |
| bottle, light switch, electrical outlet and cords, waste | | | | 8. It is possible to operate plastic mold injection |
| basket, chairs, fire extinguisher, room deodorizer, light | | | | machines in a very environmentally manner. If set up |
| cover, door stop, fire alarm and so on. All of these | | | | properly, and with the newer, greener machines, |
| items came out of a plastic injection molding machine! | | | | there is very little pollution. Not only that, but the |
| So, here are 10 things most people don't know about | | | | plastic can be recycled and can be biodegradable. |
| them | | | | 9. Products as diverse as a soda bottle, water tank, |
| 1. Plastic injection molding machines can range in size | | | | Space Shuttle components, gun parts, endoscopic |
| from table top to as large as your garage! Tiny | | | | devices, and shoes all come from a type of plastic |
| medical parts, for example, are made in micro molding | | | | mold injection machine. |
| machines. These little parts are so small that you | | | | 10. A molding machine can operate profitably for |
| need a microscope to view them! Yet they have | | | | decades, if properly maintained. These machines can |
| incredible detail and accuracy. | | | | be a great investment, if managed correctly. It is |
| 2. Some high production molding machines can | | | | very profitable at times, and very frustrating most of |
| produce over 200 million parts in one year! You would | | | | the time. |
| think that the entire world would be full of plastic | | | | Overall, plastic injection machines are true |
| parts by now and every man, woman, and child | | | | workhorses for our modern society. Without these |
| would have one of everything produced! | | | | mechanical servants, we would have literally none of |
| 3. A high quality molding machine can easily cost | | | | the thousands of products we use on a daily basis. |
| $750,000 US. This is just the bare machine, no | | | | Some of the key machine manufacturers are Husky, |
| accessories or special tools and no mold installed. | | | | Engel, Battenfeld, Demag, Boy, Arburg, Milicron, |
| 4. Every molding machine requires a mold to produce | | | | Netstal, Negri Bossi, Nissei, Toshiba and Van Dorn. |
| parts. You would think this is obvious, but, for most | | | | The international competition has become extremely |
| people, it is not. They just never even give it a | | | | fierce in the last decade. Some companies have had |
| thought. | | | | to merge and others have simply gone out of |
| 5. Some medical grade plastic can cost over $5000 | | | | business. |