1. Raw Materials

Thermoplastic

When the temperature is lowered, thermoplastics for IMD/silkscreen can soften and melt. If heated again, they can still soften and melt, and cool and harden. All of these can be repeated over and over again.

Thermoset plastic

Thermoset plastics begin to soften and have plasticity when heated, and solidify at higher temperatures and pressures. After that, it's no longer malleable. If we continue to heat it, it cannot melt, but can only decompose and carbonize. Thermoset plastics are insoluble in any solvent. During the molding, thermoset plastics undergo not only physical changes, but also chemical changes.

What is plastic thermoforming? Plastic changes from glass state, highly elastic state to viscous flow state under heat and force. And it is injected into a closed cavity with a certain shape. Then we cool it to return it from the viscous flow state to the glassy state. Finally it forms a product conforming to the shape of the cavity.

Plastics can only be injected and filled in a viscous flow state. That is, plastics can only be processed in a temperature range from the viscous flow temperature (or melting point of crystalline plastics) to the decomposition temperature. If this range is wide, processing will be easier.

2. Injection molding machine

Injection molding machine is the important equipment for in-mold decoration. Thermoset plastics can be heated, mixed, plasticized and melted in a plastic cylinder. It applies pressure to the plasticized material. The mold cavity can be sprayed and injected, and molded articles can be obtained by cooling and solidifying.

There are four systems of injection molding machine: clamping system, injection system, hydraulic system and electrical system. There are more: heating and cooling systems, lubrication system, and safety and monitoring systems.

Clamping system

The clamping system is composed of the product's clamping device, adjustment device and ejection device. This system ensures that the mold can be closed, opened and ejected quickly, flexibly, accurately and safely. Mold closure can provide sufficient clamping force to resist the pressure of the injected melt and prevent mold expansion.

Injection system

The injection system is also called the preforming injection system. It is composed of a preforming device and an injection device. The system plays the role of injection molding and spray processing.

It heats and plasticizes a certain amount of molten plastic uniformly over a specified period of time. Under a certain pressure and speed, it injects some melt into the mold cavity.

Hydraulic control system

The hydraulic control system is mainly composed of various hydraulic components, circuits and auxiliary components. It ensures the injection molding machine to perform well according to predetermined process conditions and operating procedures.

Electrical control system

The electrical control system is mainly composed of some electrical components, instruments, heaters, sensors, etc. It cooperates with hydraulic control system to accurately meet the predetermined process requirements, and provides power for the realization of the action program.

Heating and cooling system

The heating system is mainly used for the cylinder and nozzle. The cooling system is mainly used for mold cooling, hydraulic oil cooling and cooling of the feeding section in the cylinder.

Lubrication system

The lubrication system works for components that move relative to the injection molding machine, such as adjusting templates, mold adjustment devices, connecting rods and circuits for lubrication.

Security and detection systems

It consists of a safety door, a stroke valve, a mechanical protection rod, etc. The system protects the personal safety of operators and the operational safety of equipment.