Injection Molding versus Thermoforming: What’s the difference?

plastic connector made by plastic injection molding

Injection molding and thermoforming are two of the most common manufacturing processes for making plastic parts, offering unique advantages based on the specific application. While injection molding is a better option for large production runs and intricate, small parts, thermoforming is usually used for shorter production runs and large-scale designs.

Let’s look at some of the key differences between plastic injection molding and thermoforming.

Time

By combining production and tooling, you’ll get an accurate measurement of the amount of time it takes to build your products. In injection molding, tooling takes around 12 to 16 weeks, and it may take 4 to 5 weeks before the production begins. In thermoforming, tooling takes around 1 to 8 weeks, with production starting 1 to 2 weeks after the tooling is approved.

Finishing

The injection-molded product’s final pieces are taken out of the mold, where they’re usually painted for aesthetic purposes – they can also have special coatings or be silk-screened. However, the thermoformed product’s final pieces are trimmed, after which one may apply specialty coatings, or they may be silk-screened, painted, or used without any coating.

Production

In injection molding, plastic pellets are injected into the mold after they’re heated to a liquid state. In thermoforming, workers heat a flat sheet of plastic to a pliable temperature, after which both pressure and suction are used to mold the shape of the tool.

Materials

Injection-molded products use thermoplastic pellets, which are available in various colors and materials. In contrast, thermoforming can use various materials to make flat sheets that one can mold into the product. There are options for different thickness, color, and finish.

plastic injection molding parts


Tooling

In injection molding, beryllium-copper alloy, steel, or aluminum is used to make a double-sided 3D mold. However, for thermoforming, a 3D printer, polyurethane, wood, or aluminum is used to create a double-sided 3D mold. Because one can make prototype samples from CNC cut wood tooling, thermoforming offers a little advantage in price and timing. With thermoforming, tooling costs for large product tooling are a lot less.

PTMS offer good quality plastic injection molding parts and make value for customers

Since 2002, PTMS has been an ISO9001-2008 certified company. Their plastic injection molded parts are widely used in electronics, defense, plastic tooling, printer, medical, home appliance, and automotive industry.

Get in touch with them directly for more information on their custom plastic injection molding service.




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