Different Forms of Plastics Manufacturing Offered by Plastic Injection Molding Companies in Missouri, Part 2 – If you have already read part one of our blog series, you found out three of the most common ways to manufacture plastic products without using injection molding. We talked a little bit about plastic extrusion, rotational molding, and plastic extrusion & injection blow molding.

Well, we’re not done yet.

In part two of our blog series, we’ll uncover three more production methods used by plastic injection molding companies in Missouri. These include:

• Compression Molding
• Vacuum Casting
• Thermoforming

Plastic Injection Molding Companies in Missouri – Compression Molding

Compression molding is widely used in thermoset polymers. The process starts with the materials being preheated and placed in an open mold. Next, the mold is closed, and pressure is applied so that the material is evenly spaced throughout the mold. The heat and pressure continue to be maintained until the workpiece reaches its desired consistency. Once ample time is allowed for the plastic to cure, then the product can be removed.

Compression molding is one of the most used tooling services in Missouri for common auto parts like fenders, spoilers, hoods, and smaller complex pieces.

Plastic Injection Molding Companies in Missouri – Vacuum Casting

If you’re looking to make small but functional plastic parts, vacuum casting is a great option. Vacuum casting is typically used for small production runs that require very high-quality prototypes. During the vacuum casting process, the liquid raw material is pulled into the mold. It is a two-piece silicon mold and once the plastic is poured onto it, the vacuum is released.

Plastic Injection Molding Companies in Missouri – Thermoforming

Thermoforming is one of the few tooling services in Missouri where a previously extruded plastic sheet is used. The sheet is extruded at a pliable temperature and then stretched into the desired shape over the mold. It is later trimmed to meet the exact specifications.

Many projects that utilize thermoforming involve products that need to be mass produced. Common examples include lids, trays, plastic cups, plastic containers, and many other popular household items. The food, medical, and retail industries often require large production runs that involve thermoforming.

That wraps up our two-part series on some of the most used plastic production methods. We hope you found this information helpful and can use it to determine which method is best for your next large or limited production run in Missouri.

Contact LeVic Plastics Today!

At LeVic Plastics, we have the staff, expertise, and equipment to assist with your next project. From large-scale orders to limited production runs in Missouri, our LeVic team will complete your order with the utmost service, quality, and efficiency. We are located just outside the Kansas City area in Grandview, MO, and would love the opportunity to assist with your next project.

We specialize in numerous production methods, including injection molding, EDM machining in Missouri, and CNC machining in Kansas City. We’ll work closely with you to find the best option for your next production run.

To get started, call (800) 231-1232 or click here to get a free quote. We look forward to hearing from you soon!