Plastic injection molding assembly services are commonly used in consumer product manufacturing operations. Injection molding supports scalable, consistent, and repeatable production of components. When assembly operations are added into the mix, it makes the entire program much easier for contract manufacturers, OEMs, and of course, the targeted customer.
Port Erie Plastic explains why plastic injection molding assembly services matter for consumer product manufacturing.
Assembly’s Addition to Injection Molding
One of injection molding’s greatest strengths as a means of plastic fabrication is that it supports the production of high-volume programs where repeatability and tight tolerances are achievable. When tooling is established, programs can have detailed shapes where integrated features are part of the design. That’s where plastic injection molding assembly operations enter the conversation.
For consumer products specifically, assembly occurs before components hit the open market. This allows for the final customer to receive a fully functional part without any need for the customer to put items together.
As an example, the housing that a Wi-Fi router uses features assembly operations throughout the component.
Why it Matters
When it comes to explaining the why of plastic injection molding assembly services, the why rests in the value of the service. These six points serve as reasons to consider assembly services for consumer product manufacturing.
Fewer Suppliers
If one manufacturer can control all facets of manufacturing – design, engineering, production, assembly, and packaging – it shrinks supplier handoffs and drastically reduces coordination work from an OEM with other vendors.
Increased Speed in Product Launches
Finished products leave manufacturing facilities faster since they can be assembled directly on the shop floor once molded parts have cooled. This saves time waiting for transfer, receiving, inspection, and scheduling for assembly.
Improved Fit, Function
This is a design point as OEMs and contract manufacturers can work together to incorporate DFM practices knowing that assembly is going to be part of the process. It places more emphasis on ensuring minimal defects such as warpage and dimensional issues occur.
Cost-Effectiveness
Largely related to partnering with a turnkey manufacturer, lowered total costs are achievable when one manufacturer performs the assembly operation.
Improved Quality
Quality engineers know when a manufacturing program features assembly operations. Functional checks are performed to expose improper snap engagement, missing inserts, incorrect fasteners, cosmetic damage, and even electronic failures prior to the product hitting the open market.
Better Program Scalability
Injection molding itself supports scalability in a manufacturing program. Once a mold and assembly program has been validated, it’s easier for manufacturers to scale back or forward production when production variables are known.
Design Benefits
When designers and engineers know that a specific manufacturing program features a component that will use assembly operations, they can incorporate that into the design process. It’s critical that it happens to, as design takes place prior to tooling and the costs associated with reworking mold construction can be damaging.
A large part of the goal in using plastic injection molding assembly services to reduce component count, simplifying operations, and improving consistency, while supporting scalable production. Consider these design practices if your team knows assembly will be part of the manufacturing program.
- Consolidate multiple components into one molded feature
- Design self-locating features, alignment pins, and lead-ins so parts cannot be assembled incorrectly
- Prefer snap-fits if they can eliminate screws and shorten cycle times
- Decided which assembly operation is best – heat staking, ultrasonic welding, overmolding, threaded inserts, or conventional fastening
- Base part tolerances on how mating parts will assemble
- Choose materials that are compatible with the final product’s intended environment, but also the assembly method
Contact Port Erie Plastics for Thorough Plastic Injection Molding Assembly Services
Port Erie Plastics opened its doors for business in 1953 with a single injection molding machine and a dream: create high-quality, cost-effective plastic components. 73 years and millions of parts later, our team is living out that dream to this day.
Even though we offer other manufacturing capabilities like plastic extrusion and structural foam molding, custom injection molding operations remain near to our team. Many of our programs do feature plastic injection molding assembly services. We offer a few different assembly services including heat staking, welding, and fastening. Our engineers work with your team to identify the need of your component and then plan the best course of action to determine which assembly method is most effective.
Port Erie Plastic is here for all your plastic injection molding assembly services. Contact our team today and discover the difference we can make in your next manufacturing program.