The benefits of custom plastic parts have turned these elements into a favorite across many industries for a long time now. Offering a cost-effective and optimized material for different purposes, plastic molded parts adapt to each company’s needs, as they can be personalized. 

We analyze what exactly are custom plastic parts and the main advantages of incorporating them in different industries.

Custom plastic parts: uses and characteristics

The very definition of custom plastic parts includes two characteristics: 

Firstly, they are customized: which means that, through their manufacturing processes, these pieces can be made to adapt to each product’s needs, as well as complex or intricate shapes or forms. 

Secondly, they’re made of plastic: today, a wide range of plastics exists and, for plastic moulded parts to work, companies must choose the right plastic material taking their needs into account. It’s also crucial how the plastic will react to the different situations their product will encounter. 

For instance, plastic foams like EPP and EPS are preferred in a wide range of industries for their extraordinary features (light, eco-friendly, and resistant materials that also present excellent thermal properties).

The use of custom plastic parts is now generalized across many industries, which have ditched metal parts in favor of plastic. From the aerospace industry to plumbing, plastic molded parts provide a cost-efficient and lighter alternative to other materials. Some of the uses for custom plastic parts include: 

• Building: plastic molded parts can be used in the construction and building sector as part of structures such as flooring or façade insulation, waterproofing of flat roofing, public works and roads, and utilities, or swimming pool constructions. 
• HVAC: technical and protective elements in the HVAC market can be made of custom plastic parts. The domestic appliances sector also uses these elements for their protective packaging.
• Automotive: numerous component solutions that make up modern cars are made from custom plastic parts, as well as the necessary protective packaging solutions for the industry. 
• Packaging solutions for the agri-food sector and the pharmaceutical industries.
• Solutions for industries: plastic molded parts can play a role both in the generation of customized packaging solutions, as well as the building of technical pieces for manufacturing.

How are custom molded parts manufactured?

Although there are several methods for manufacturing plastic parts, plastic foam molding represents one of the most versatile methods.

In short, a plastic mold part manufacturer that follows this method creates plastic parts by heating plastic materials into a mold cavity, which is usually made from steel or aluminum. There, the product hardens and takes the shape of the mold.

Plastic foam molding allows for different plastic materials to be used, generating a flexible process that is especially cost-effective for the production of big quantities of custom plastic parts.

Why choose custom molded parts for your company: the benefits

1. Lightness 

Custom plastic parts are extremely light compared to other materials, particularly if made from light foams such as EPP and EPS. Incorporating these elements helps create lighter manufactured products, as they can replace heavy materials such as metal components. 

2. Possibility to design complex custom plastic parts 

Complex, intricate and detailed plastic parts can be created using the right materials, technologies and professional expertise.

By gathering data and performing rigorous analysis, plastic foam molding allows for a repeatable and consistent manufacturing process. At the same time, these custom plastic parts can be personalized and present diverse surface finishes, following each clients’ needs. 

3. Strength of plastic molded parts

Plastic injection molding allows for extremely resistant and durable custom plastic parts. An extra-strength factor can be added by including fillers, while blends and hybrids can produce specific features such as tensile strength. 

The lack of joints and layers also helps in creating exceptionally resistant plastic parts. This, nonetheless, doesn’t necessarily compromise any other plastic properties mentioned above, including their lightweight features.

4. The efficiency of custom plastic parts

The efficiency of manufacturing custom plastic parts can be perceived in many different ways. On the one hand, custom plastic molding is an exceptionally quick process, which is one of the main benefits that has put this technology at the forefront for many industries. 

On the other hand, it’s an automatic process performed by computers and robotic parts, which eliminates the need for extra staff and human errors and generates uninterrupted operations. Energy savings can also be achieved due to plastic’s low melting point. 

All in all, the efficiency in manufacturing custom plastic parts means that product development timelines and production cycles shorten, while product quality is guaranteed. This all translates into an unbeatable competitive advantage for manufacturers. 

Want to learn more about custom plastic parts and the benefits they could bring to your company? At Knauf Appliances we’re a reliable plastic mold part manufacturer with decades of experience at the forefront of generating plastic molded parts for a wide range of industries. Get in touch with us and let’s talk about how we can help you.