Construction industry injection molding services are a key component in the construction process. Almost every building project features injection molding and structural foam molding.

There are numerous benefits for contractors, project managers, project engineers, and foremen to have on-hand knowledge about these services. Not just to understand how products are made, but the benefit they can provide to make a project a long-term success.

Learn more about how injection and structural foaming molding works, its benefits in the construction industry, and how to find the right provider for these services ahead of a future project.

What is Injection Molding and How Does it Work?

Injection molding is at the heart of what Port Erie Plastics does. It’s one of the most commonly used methods in manufacturing parts for the construction industry as well.

Specifically, injection molding is when molten plastic is injected into a mold. The plastic is heated up ahead of injection and, once it cools, it hardens into a durable and useful product. There are six steps to the injection molding process: clamping, injecting, dwelling, cooling, mold opening, and product removal.

What is This Process Used for in Construction?

Injection molding is often used to produce construction products because it is cost effective for a high volume of parts. There are several product benefits as well, and is often used to make products such as siding, flooring, roofing, and piping. Injection molding is popular for creating products in the construction industry with minimal defects that maintain their structural integrity.

What is Structural Foam Molding and How Does it Work?

Structural foam molding is often used alongside injection molding for products in the construction industry.

The process starts off with a couple of key ingredients. The first being a liquid resin like polyethylene foam and then either a noble gas or chemical blowing agent. The liquid resin is mixed and then injected into a mold and the gas or the agent is heated up to expand the mold.

Once the mold has expanded, the resin fills the expanded space to take the given shape. As the resin begins to take shape of the mold, and once it hits the perimeter of the designed shape, the process begins to slow down as the space nears full capacity.

The final steps are when surface cells collapse and the surface smooths out into a solid texture outside of the mold.

What is This Process Used For in Construction?

It’s always good to have options when it comes to manufacturing, with ever-changing designs, manual labor, and potential setbacks common in the construction industry.

Structural foam molding is commonly used to make large parts, like wall panels and cladding, that need to be lightweight in structure and mass produced at a high rate.

This process can be used to make HDPE trench drains, which typically surround many buildings, namely in industrial parks. It’s important to have these outflows to remove waste like rainwater.

How Do These Services Benefit Construction?

Injection Molding Benefits

Efficiency

Injection molding is a very efficient way to produce a large amount of products in a short amount of time. This makes it a favorable selection for those in the construction industry with tight deadlines.

Durability and Strength

Just because the production process is fast doesn’t mean quality is sacrificed. Injection molded products have proven the test of durability and strength time and time again. These products have to be durable, especially when they are being used to create buildings.

Minimal Final Work

One of the advantages of construction products made through injection molding is that once they are produced, they require minimal final touches.

Structural Foam Molding Benefits

Cost-Effectiveness

This method of manufacturing is extremely cost effective, as the process uses slower clamping forces and pressures compared to other molding methods. The process also allows for use of less expensive materials, like aluminum.

Durability and Temperature Control

Products manufactured through this method are proven to be extremely durable. Because of the low pressures used during the manufacturing process, the materials keep their strength. Additionally, there is little expansion during production, so products can withstand various temperature changes.

Design Flexibility

The materials used are extremely moldable and, as a result, both the product and process offer plenty of flexibility without risk of defects.

The Port Erie Plastics Difference

Port Erie Plastics has been an industry leader for over 70 years with capabilities in both injection molding and structural foam molding. We bring to the table a full-service approach to our production. We don’t just make the product, we also provide several other important services, including mold design and tooling transfer, engineering, secondary options, and distribution and warehousing.

Connect with us today to learn more about our services and how we can help make a better product for you.