Molding in manufacturing is the process of shaping a liquid or other raw material using a form knowns as a mold or a matrix. This process is important to mass-produce objects used in day-to-day life. Here are three of the industries that use the molding process.
1. Medical Industry
Mold manufacturing is used in the medical industry to accurately produce products that are high in quality. This industry uses molding for many reasons, including:
- Helping the industry comply with safety standards and regulations
- Assisting with the monitoring of the production of goods
- Reducing the amount of material that goes to waste, resulting in a more environmentally friendly manufacturing operation
- Saving labor costs by implementing the latest automation technologies
A few of the medical products that are made by using mold manufacturing include plastic syringes, test tubes, impants, and surgical equipment.
2. Automotive Industry
The automotive industry utilizes the molding process for many of the same reasons that the medical industry does, such as to efficiently and effectively make safe products for consumers. These automobile parts may include cup holders, door handles, sunroofs, instrument panels, and DVD components. Plastic car parts built by the molding process are lightweight, which reduce fuel costs for car owners and allow car manufacturers to adhere to increasingly strict government environmental regulations.
3. Appliance Industry
By using mold manufacturing, quality appliances can be offered to consumers at a lower cost than appliances made by traditional manufacturing. Some of the parts made by this process are likely in your house right now, including:
- Refrigerator drawers and shelving units, as well as components used in ice makers
- Dishwasher racks and wash arms
- Plastic food storage containers
If you use any of these items while cooking, you have a unique sector of manufacturing to thank.
Mold manufacturing is a large part of these three industries.