Overview
Post-processing of injection molded parts is very important since Injection molding forms plain plastic parts. Most of the time bare plastic parts are used as it is but sometimes due to the design of the component or some special requirement, injection molded parts are post-processed in many ways. Finishing options like painting, ultrasonic welding, and cubic printing are a few of the commonly available technologies. In the following article, we are going to explore in detail all major post-processing technologies.
IM Post-processing techniques
- Painting
- Pad printing
- Hot stamping
- Part assembly
- Laser engraving
- Ultrasonic welding
- Vibration welding
- Infrared welding
- Hot plate welding
- Hot air cold welding
- Heat staking
- Cubic printing
- Overmolding
Painting
Some applications needed specific colour tone, gloss etc which cannot be achieved during the injection molding process. Spray painting is the most common type of surface coating or surface finish and is cost-effective. Some paint processes are single step or multi-step procedures. Some paints needed UV curing to increase the durability of the paint if they are meant for outdoor application. Another process is powder coating in which powder is sprayed onto the surface and later UV cured. Silk screening is used to make colour patterns on the surface. A thin plastic sheet screen is prepared with pattern holes/cutouts are created on it. The holes/cut-out make sure that paint strikes the plastic surface wherever needed. The desired pattern emerges once the screen is removed from the plastic surface.
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