Plastic Mold Equipment Design Key Terms

Get acquainted with the technical terms related to plastic mold equipment design

By Howard Robertson

Plastic mold products are important components in various industries, such as food processing, chemicals and beverages, medical and biotechnology. Plastic mold equipment design and fabrication companies specialize in creating equipment for the different types of plastic molds, such as injection molds and blow molds.

Understanding the common terms associated with plastic mold equipment design will help you in interacting with the suppliers of plastic mold equipment. This guide intends to explain some plastic mold equipment design key terms, such as polymers, thermoforming, thermoplastic elastomers and flash.

Polymers

A polymer is a large molecule composed of many smaller molecules linked together. The term is often used in place of plastic, rubber or elastomer. The process of forming a polymer by combining large numbers of chemical units or monomers into long chains is called polymerization.
Try: You can read through the detailed information of a polymer at Cornell University Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics.

Resin

Resin is a solid or semi-solid organic (carbon based) material, either natural or synthetic. Resin is important raw material for organic synthesis in manufacturing varnishes and adhesives.
Try: wiseGEEK, an information resource, explains the different types of resins.

TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer)

Thermoplastic elastomers are a family of polymers that can be repeatedly stretched without permanently deforming the shape. Unlike rubber-like elastomers, these elastomers do not require curing or vulcanization.
Try: You can read through detailed information about thermoplastic elastomers at Alliance Polymers, Inc., a dealer of recycled plastic materials.

Thermoforming

Thermoforming is the process of heating a thermoplastic sheet to a working temperature and transforming it into a finished shape by means of heat or pressure.
Try: You can read through detailed information on thermoforming machines and processes at the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), an organization that sets the regulations for the safety of personnel working in an industry.

Plastic boss design

Plastic boss is a functional extrusion or tab on a plastic part normally used to locate or fasten two adjoining parts or to add strength.
Try: David O. Kazmer (PDF), a specialist in plastic product design and polymer process development, offers information about plastic boss design and methodology.

Flash

Flash is a defect on plastic parts that results in a thin membrane of material extending along the parting line. It is caused by over packing, lack of support, unbalanced molds, overly hot material and a host of other causes.
Try: UMG ABS Ltd., a manufacturer of resin, provides information about flash.