Eight Special Types of Plastic Fabrication Methods

If you’re new to the world of plastic fabrication in Utah, you might not know about all the innovative ways plastic can be used to create products. Plastic fabrication includes designing and manufacturing projects, whether they’re individual components or pieces that need to be assembled after production. Here are eight types of plastic fabrication that you can use to turn your next vision into reality:

• Molding: There are three main types of plastic molding: injection molding, blow molding and rotational molding. Injection molding is used for products (both big and small) that have a high melt index. Blow molding is used for one-piece, hollow objects—a parison is inflated with air, plastic is injected and the parison presses it against the mold. Rotational molding uses centrifugal force to coat the mold with liquid plastic, layer by layer. It’s a good choice for items like tanks and canoes.
• Thermoforming: Thermoforming involves heating up plastic sheets until they’re soft, then reshaping them according to the product’s specifications. For example, vacuum forming is a type of thermoforming—it sucks the softened plastic sheet against the mold. This is one of the least expensive types of plastic fabrication.
• Die cutting: If your plastic components are simple and flat, die cutting is an efficient way to get the job done. This technique is used for thin plastic films and sheets, among other projects.
• Blending and compounding: This type of plastic fabrication in Utah melts two or more plastics together to make a blend, then it’s formed into different plastic shapes. Like metal alloys, different plastic blends require specific mixtures, and they’re each good for different types of projects. You can create specific compounds depending on what you need from your final product.
• Welding: Like metal, plastic can be welded together. When adhesives and other bonding techniques can’t make the plastic adhere together, welding may do the trick. Similarly, there are different welding techniques for plastic, just like metal welding—some of the most common types include hot gas welding, speed tip welding, hot plate welding and ultrasonic welding.
• Extrusion: Extrusion is exactly what it sounds like—plastic is melted and forced through a die to create specific shapes, just like a pasta machine or Play-Doh toy. This is a fast way to replicate sturdy shapes.
• Lamination: Lamination is a way to coat objects with a plastic film or coating. This might be transparent or opaque, depending on your specific needs. Lamination protects objects from wear and tear and can enhance their overall appearance.
• Foaming: Plastic foaming is used to create insulation. Polyurethane and polystyrene are blended to create foam, which can then be installed in buildings and other items that need insulation.

No matter what kind of plastic product you want to create, there’s a fabrication method to achieve your goal. Working with a great plastic design company in Utah, like D&D Plastics, ensures that you get the results you want. Get in touch with us today to get started with a consultation. We look forward to discussing your project!

Categorised in: Plastic Fabrication

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