Gas Assisted Mold

Advantages

1． Less plastic material required (material savings)

2． Reduced part weight (up to 40% in some cases)

3． Reduced cycle time

4． Increased strength and stiffness of parts

5． Reduces warp-age and distortion

6． Improves part appearance (eliminates dent marks and surface imperfections)

7． Reinforced ribbed parts

8． Increased design options for complex parts, reduced assembly of multiple parts, and metal to plastic conversions

9． Enables use of smaller plastic injection molding presses

In gas-assisted injection molding, pressurized gas follows the path of least resistance, replacing plastic material in thicker areas of the part, leaving hollow sections to reduce material usage and part weight without affecting part appearance or functional performance.

With gas-assisted molding, localized gas pressure within the mold allows for better packaging of the plastic, resulting in less warpage, shrinkage, surface imperfections, dent marks and internal stresses. Gas-assisted injection molded plastics often result in stronger, more aesthetically pleasing parts.

Gas-assisted molding is used to strengthen ribbed parts and provides more design freedom for complex parts, reducing multi-part assembly and metal-to-plastic conversions.

Less demand for plastic materials and consistent pressure in the mold also allow gas-assisted injection molding plastics to cool faster, reducing cycle times and increasing injection molding machine throughput - saving time and money

In gas-assisted injection molding, the internal pressure provided by nitrogen reduces the external forces required to maintain the shape of the part, so large plastic parts can be produced on smaller injection molding machines with less tonnage.

Applications

Some applications benefiting from gas assist plastic injection molding include:

Appliance handles

Medical equipment housings

Interior and exterior automotive handles

Large covers and panels for office equipment

Lawn mower handles

Steering wheels

Basketball backboard frames

Long tubular shapes, such as shovel handles

Large parts with ribs and bosses