Injection Molding Equipment Key Terms

Simplify your business interactions by knowing some key injection molding equipment key terms

By D. Johnston

Plastic injection molding equipment and processes are like many other industries - rife with their own terminology and specialized phrases. Whether it's words related to a particular production step or terms for machine parts or materials, knowing some of the jargon for plastic injection molding equipment and its business will help you communicate more easily in yours.

The steps below will get you started toward learning the key terms of injection molding machinery. By perusing these terms and getting comfortable with their meanings and applications will help you to:

1. Familiarize yourself with a general overview of terms for injection molding supplies and business aspects.

2. Gain knowledge in injection molding machine processing definitions.

3. Name parts and components for injection molding machines.

4. Understand about plastic injection equipment and raw materials terms.

Start with a basic overview of injection molding equipment key terms

Make communication with colleagues, customers and other businesses easier by learning some of the industry-specific terms, like casting, haze, elastomer, runner, isobar and extrusion, for example. There are a lot of terms related to the plastic injection molding equipment field, but some advanced knowledge will make your learning curve much more manageable.
Try: Get an overall picture for industry language by checking out information about everyday plastic injection molding machines and processes terms from Protomold, or use the extensive and comprehensive glossary provided by HPM.

Get to know some terminology for injection molding machinery processing terms

"Blending," "debinding," and "sintering" may be simple enough terms to pick up, but when you realize that these are just categories for more specific processes, you know that remembering all the terms you can possibly learn will help you. Learn about liquid phase sintering, catalytic debinding and various other steps in the injection molding machine process and increase your knowledge.
Try: Educate yourself on processing and fabrication terminology for injection molding presses by going to Epsilon Industries and Tengam Engineering for their term definition lists, which also cover other aspects of the field.

Become familiar with your injection molding machine component terms

Increase your proficiency with injection molding equipment key terms by knowing about the parts and components of the machine itself. Whether it's the hopper, barrel, sprue, clamp, runner, gate or mold plate, eliminate having to check your manual when someone asks you about a machine part. It'll increase productivity and help you communicate more efficiently.
Try: Glean some key terms and definitions for plastic injection molding machines components from among the information available at DRM Associates' glossary. You can also check out terms in conjunction with diagrams by going through the detailed information from the Santa Clarita University Design Center; select separate machine systems for easier organization.

Round out your knowledge with some injection molding supplies and materials names

The plastics and other material you'll work with also have specific names and classifications, including nylons, acrylics and polymers. Get to know about the powders, compounds and fluids processed by injection molding machinery and familiarize yourself with the brand names of different plastics, such as Dynaflex and Cycolac.
Try: Increase your knowledge of injection molding supplies and raw materials by checking out terms at Injection Molding, or learn about general terms as well as specific product brand names at Proto-Cast.

If you're just starting out in the plastic injection equipment industry, use this guide as a reference more than a study book. There are hundreds of terms available to check, and many of them may be used infrequently. As you become knowledgeable in your business, you'll get a feel for what terms you'll need to know and which ones aren't necessary.