Sunday, March 9, 2014

Methods Used In Production Of Structural Foam

By Jaclyn Hurley


Technology has evolved leading to the emergence of new methods that can be used in manufacture of plastics. Structural foam molding is one such process that is being used in production of different types of plastic components. All components made from this particular process will usually have an outer surface that is very different from the inner one. This is mainly because of the fact that the outer surfaces tends to have a denser core than the inner ones.

In order to produce this particular type of plastic, there are several materials that are combined together in order to give the end result. Some of the resulting products will include business machine chassis. Point of sale displays are also manufactured or produced using application of a similar method.

Different methods can be used to produce this type of foam. The common methods that are used in many industries will include; the low pressure process, typical moldings, conventional molding machines and a combination of different mold tools. Each of these methods is unique in each own way and also in the way that it is applied to produce the end result.

Low pressure will involve the introduction of a gas in to the production process. This is achieved through the use of low dedicated injection machines. This gas is introduced in to plastic that had been melted earlier allowing the formation of a component based on the mold tool that had been used.

Conventional molding machines can also be used to produce this kind of plastic. When using such machines, some blowing agents are added in to the materials. Chemical agents that have been dried are mixed with different plastic granules. The heat from the plastic that had been melted will cause the blowing agent to react. This reaction will lead to formation of a plastic.

Another method that is often used is that of typical moldings. The typical moldings are in many cases used in producing larger components. Even though the method is effective, its main drawback is that the resulting products tend to have a surface that is rough and quite streaky.

Low cavity pressure fill can also be used in production of this type of components. Mold tools are used on materials such as cast steel and aluminum. When compared to all the other production methods, this method is seen as the cheapest.

Components made from this particular process can also be used as replacements for other common materials. Among the materials that can be replaced are wood, fiber glass and even metal. The replacement is often achieved at a reduced cost and at the same time tends to boost productivity.

When compared to injection molding, structural molding is much better. This is because the resulting products are not only thicker, but they also sturdier as compared to the products that are made from the other method. The items can also be recycled meaning that the environment will not be destroyed in any way.

The types of systems used during production are known as front runner systems. These systems are very unique in that they are not only easy to assemble and dismantle, but they can also be manipulated in different ways. A slight adjustment will change the type of flow being experienced. You can therefore use one machine to produce items of different sizes.




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