All right, so we're diving into high speed injection molding today.
Okay.
And you know, everyone's talking about it. And you shared this article, right. Called what are the key changes and challenges introduced by high speed injection molding technology.
Yeah.
And, you know, I gotta say, from what I've been reading, this isn't just like doing things faster. It's really like a whole different way of thinking about, like, production.
Right.
Like, how efficient can we make things and how high can we get the quality.
Absolutely. And it's interesting because it's not just small improvements we're talking about here. Like, we're talking about cutting cycle times sometimes like almost in half.
Wow.
You know, going from like a 10 second cycle down to six seconds.
Oh, wow.
That's a huge change in output.
Yeah, that's. It's a massive difference.
Yeah.
So. So the article mentioned this case study.
Okay.
About an electronics company.
Right.
That just by switching to high speed injection molding.
Yeah.
They saw a 30% increase in output.
Wow.
Just from that one change. So what kind of impact does that even have on a company's bottom line?
Well, the financial impact is huge.
Yeah.
I mean, not only making more products.
Right.
But because high speed injection molding often involves more automation.
Oh, interesting.
You're also saving money on labor costs.
Makes sense.
And then because you have fewer manual steps involved.
Right.
Usually have a lower error rate.
Oh. So less waste.
Less waste. Less wasted material. Less time spent reworking defective parts.
So it's like this ripple effect that goes exactly. Way beyond just the speed of the machine itself.
Yeah. It's a whole system.
Now the article also talks about the quality improvement improvements associated with high speed injection molding.
Right.
What's this? What's the secret there?
It's all about precision and control.
Okay.
High speed machines use these really sophisticated systems to regulate every part of the process.
Got it.
So the temperature, the pressure, the flow rate of the plastic. And as a result, you get products with incredible dimensional accuracy. Okay.
And we're talking tolerances that are so much tighter than you could achieve with like regular injection molding.
I mean, that's. That's going to be crucial.
Absolutely.
And like medical devices.
Exactly.
And electronics and things like that.
Yeah. You can't have inconsistencies there.
Right, right. Where precision is key.
Exactly. And because of that rapid filling of the mold.
Okay.
You also minimize the internal stresses in the material.
Interesting.
Which in turn means you have fewer defects.
Okay.
Like those little bubbles or weld lines.
Right.
That can weaken a product.
So it's not Just a faster process. You're getting a stronger and more reliable product as well.
Exactly. A win win.
So I was wondering about the materials themselves.
Yeah.
Are there any limits on what types of plastics can be used?
That's a great question. And honestly, it is something that people often overlook.
Okay.
Not all plastics are made the same.
Right.
You know, when it comes to high speed injection molding, you need materials that.
Flow really easily at high temperatures and that can solidify really quickly without degrading.
Oh, interesting.
So we're often talking about high performance plastics here, which of course come with a higher price tag.
Right. So that's another thing to factor in is the cost of the materials themselves.
Yeah.
So it sounds like it's kind of a balancing act.
It really is.
Between, you know, choosing the right material for the job.
Right.
But also keeping an eye on the overall cost.
Absolutely.
The article also goes into mold design.
Yeah. Mold design is critical.
It's not just like, get a faster material machine and call it a day.
No, no, no. You need a mold that's designed for this technology.
Got it.
We're talking about optimized cavity layouts.
Okay.
Carefully designed gates and runners to make.
Sure that material is flowing to ensure.
That the material flows smoothly.
Okay.
And even sophisticated cooling systems.
Wow.
That can keep up with that rapid cycling.
So this is. This is getting pretty complex.
Yeah.
The article even talked about using special materials and coatings for the molds themselves.
Yeah. You have to.
To handle the pressure and the heat of this high speed process. So we're talking about some serious costs here too, Right?
Yeah. The upfront investment for mold design and manufacturing can be quite a lot compared to traditional, especially compared to traditional injection molding.
Got it.
But the long term cost savings can be huge. Okay. I mean, think about it. A well designed mold is going to last longer.
Right.
It'll need less maintenance.
Yeah.
And it'll contribute to a more efficient and reliable process overall.
So again, it's kind of weighing that upfront investment.
Absolutely.
Against those potential long term gains.
It's all about the long game.
So the article also goes into some of the challenges of implementing high speed injection molding. It's not just like plugging in and go, is it?
It is definitely not plug and play.
What are some of the hurdles that companies need to be aware of?
Well, first off, the financial investment.
Yeah.
These machines, the automation equipment, the specialized molds, it all adds up. Yeah. And it's a big upfront cost, especially for smaller companies.
Especially for smaller companies who might not.
Have that kind of Capital.
Exactly.
To put into it.
Right.
So it's not just about the sticker price of the machine. There are all these hidden costs that you need to think about.
Absolutely.
Like operating costs and maintenance.
Yeah. And you need specialized expertise to maintain these machines.
Well, the article mentioned a shortage of skilled technicians.
Yes.
Is that, Is that a big problem in the industry?
It's a major concern.
Wow.
There just aren't enough technicians who really understand these systems.
So it's not just buying the machine.
No.
You gotta have the people to run it.
Exactly.
And maintain it and fix it when it breaks and keep it going.
You've got to invest in training, maybe even partner with some schools.
Right. To create that pipeline of skilled workers.
Exactly. It's all connected.
So it's really about building a workforce.
Yes.
That can operate and maintain this.
This complex equipment.
Absolutely. It's a big shift for a lot of companies.
Yeah. For sure.
But the ones that embrace it and invest in their people, those are the ones that are going to succeed.
Yeah, absolutely.
In this new world of manufacturing.
I think you're right about that.
It's exciting to see where it goes.
Yeah. I'm really curious to see what the future holds.
Me too. Me too. And it's not just finding people and training them either.
Right.
It's also what happens to the people who are already there.
Yeah. The people who are doing the jobs that are being replaced by the automation.
Yeah. What happens to them?
It's not a question. It is, but it's one we have to think about.
Absolutely. Companies have a responsibility.
Yeah.
To help their employees adapt.
Right.
You know, to these changes, to these shifts in technology.
So maybe that means retraining, training programs.
Yeah.
Upskilling.
Exactly.
Maybe even helping them move into different roles.
Right. Different roles within the company.
So it's not just about bringing in new people.
Nope.
It's also about making sure that the people who are already there.
Right.
Have the opportunity to grow. Yeah. To grow with the company.
Yeah. And it's a. It's a big cultural shift. Yeah, it is for a lot of companies.
But the ones that do it.
Yeah.
And invest in their employees, those are.
The companies that are going to thrive.
Absolutely.
In this new world.
Speaking of new worlds, let's talk about energy efficiency.
Okay.
The article mentioned that high speed injection molding machines.
Right.
Often use hybrid or fully electric drive systems.
Yeah.
Is that a big deal for sustainability?
Huge. Those old hydraulic systems use so much energy.
And that's got to be good for the planet.
It is good for the environment. And it's good for your bottom line.
So you're saving money on energy.
You're saving money on energy and you're helping the environment. Exactly. A win win.
Sometime energy savings alone.
Yeah.
Can justify the investment.
Absolutely. It's a powerful incentive.
It is. So we're not just talking about more output, less labor costs.
Right.
We're also talking about lower energy bills. Lower energy bills.
Yeah.
And then when you think about the waste reduction.
Absolutely.
Because you're. You're having fewer defects.
Yeah. Less weight.
You're using materials more efficiently.
It's a more sustainable process overall.
That's great. So we talked about mold design, material selection.
Right.
What about the actual process itself?
Okay.
Is high speed injection molding.
Yeah.
More complex to manage? It is more complex than traditional injection molding.
There are definitely some things to consider.
Okay. Like what?
Well, because of the speed and the precision.
Right.
You have to really tightly control the process parameters.
Okay.
So we're talking about things like injection speed, pressure.
Okay.
Melt temperature, even the cooling time.
Wow.
It all has to be really precise.
It's a lot to keep track of.
It is.
The article mentioned something about closed loop control systems.
Yeah. Closed loop systems are essential.
Okay. Why is that?
They constantly monitor and adjust those process parameters.
Okay.
In real time.
So it's like having a really smart autopilot.
Exactly. A super fast and incredibly precise autopilot.
But that sounds like it takes a lot of expertise.
It does.
To manage those systems.
You need people who understand them.
Could we back to the technician shortage again?
We are. You're absolutely right. Finding people who can work with these closed loop system, it's one of the biggest challenges for companies adopting this technology.
So high speed injection molding, it's. It's amazing. It is, but it takes a lot. You need the right machines, the right materials.
Right.
The right molds and the right people.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
You've got to think about the whole.
Picture, the whole ecosystem of high speed injection molding.
What else am I missing?
Well, we've talked about the money. Yeah. We've talked about the technicians. We've talked about the molds and the materials.
Right.
But there's one more thing.
Okay. What's that?
The learning curve.
Oh, yeah. It's not just going to happen overnight.
No.
It takes time to figure it all.
Out, to master this technology.
So you're going to have some trial and error.
Absolutely.
You're going to have some hiccups along the way.
You're going to make mistakes and you.
Got to be prepared for that.
You got to be prepared.
So you're saying patience is key.
Patience and a willingness to learn.
So it's a journey. It is not a destination.
It's a journey.
It's a process.
It's a process of continuous improvement.
Yeah. So let's zoom out a little bit.
Okay.
Where do you see this technology fitting in?
Yeah.
To the future of manufacturing.
I think it's going to play a major role.
Really?
I do.
Is it going to be like a niche thing?
I don't think so.
Or is it going to become more mainstream?
I think it's going to become more mainstream.
Why is that?
Because there's this growing demand for products that are lighter, stronger, more precise.
Right.
And produced more sustainably.
And high speed injection molding can do that.
It's uniquely positioned.
Wow.
To meet those demands.
So that's not just about speed.
No. It's about meeting the needs of the market.
Yeah. Like what people actually want.
Exactly.
And as technology keeps getting better, I bet we're going to see even more uses, more innovative application for high speed injection molding.
Absolutely. We're already seeing it.
Like what?
Multi material molding. In mold labeling. Micro molding.
What's micro molding?
That's where you make these incredibly small parts.
Wow.
With amazing precision.
So we're just scratching the surface.
We are.
Of what this technology can do.
It's exciting.
I mean, think about the impact on all these different industries.
That's amazing.
Electronics, medical devices, automotive. Wow.
It's a transformative technology.
This has been great. I am, like so energized.
Me too.
About the future of manufacturing.
Yeah. It's an exciting time to be in this industry.
It really is.
And I think high speed injection molding is going to be a big part of it.
So we've talked about, like, all the cool stuff high speed injection molding can do.
Yeah.
But what about the companies that are already using the traditional injection molding?
Right.
Is this like a, you know, do or die kind of thing?
I don't think so.
Or can both technologies, like, kind of exist together?
I think it really depends on a few things.
Okay.
You know, what kinds of products are they making?
Okay.
What are their production volumes? What are their customers demanding?
Makes sense.
And of course, their budget. High speed might not be right for everyone.
Right. At least not right away.
Yeah, exactly.
So it's not like this one technology is going to completely replace the other one, right?
Not necessarily.
There's still going to be times where traditional injection molding makes more sense.
Right.
Maybe for like smaller production runs.
Exactly.
Or specialized materials or, you know, products that don't need to be quite as precise.
Right. And both technologies are still evolving.
That's true.
Traditional injection molding is becoming more automated.
Right.
More efficient.
Yeah.
And I think the costs for high speed are going to come down over time.
Okay.
As it becomes more common as the technology mature.
So it seems like we're heading towards a place where companies have more options.
I think so. A more diverse manufacturing landscape where you can choose the best tool for the job.
That makes sense. So you got to stay informed.
You absolutely have to stay informed about what's out there. About the latest and greatest and what's.
Going to work best for you.
Exactly.
There was one more thing in the article that I wanted to touch on.
Okay.
This whole idea that high speed injection molding can actually drive innovation.
Yeah.
What do you mean by that?
It opens up so many possibilities for design and functionality.
In what way?
Because you can make things so precise.
Okay.
And so detailed. It lets engineers and designers really think outside the box.
So you're not just making the same things faster and cheaper?
No.
You can actually make completely new things.
Exactly. Things we haven't even thought of yet.
Wow.
It's a catalyst for innovation.
I like that.
It's really pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
This has been so interesting.
It has.
I'm feeling really optimistic about the future of manufacturing.
Me too. It's an exciting time to be in this industry.
It really is. And I think high speed injection molding is going to be a huge part of it.
I think so too.
All right. Well, that's all the time we have for today's deep dive.
Okay.
Thanks for joining us.
It was my pleasure.
We'll be back next time with another deep dive into the topics that matter most.
Sounds good.
See you