Manufacturing processes
Blow moulding (used for PVC, thermoplastics, ABS, etc)
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Plastic pellets are poured into mould.
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Heat melts the plastic, which is transported by the screw.
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Plastic gets injected into the mould.
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Air is blown to expand the plastic.
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It is cooled and removed.
Injection moulding (used for PVC, acrylic, etc)
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Plastic pellets are placed into the hopper.
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The screw carries the pellets along the tube.
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Heat melts the plastic into a liquid state.
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It is injected into the mould.
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Pressure is applied to ensure it fills all empty spaces.
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It is cooled and removed.
Vacuum forming (used for acrylic)
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A thermoplastic sheet is heated until bendy and pliant.
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It is placed on top of the mould.
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Air is vacuumed out, which forces the plastic into shape.
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Trim access material.
Compression moulding (used for acrylic, PVC, other thermoset composites)
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A sheet of thermoplastic is heated until pliable.
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It is clamped to the mould.
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It is compressed into the shape of the mould.
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It is cooled and removed.
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Trim excess material.
Turning process (used for metals)
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Adjust the speed of the lathe.
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The lathe rotates the metal.
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Adjust the angle and placement of the cutting tool to correct diameter.
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The cutting tool moves to cut the metal into cylindrical shape.
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3D printer (used for ABS plastic)
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Use CAD software to design the 3D model.
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Convert it into a vector file that is compatible with the printer.
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Set up speed, strength and resolution.
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The printer will read it and print.
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Cut off excess material.
Laser cutting
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Create a design using CAD software.
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Save the design into an appropriate file type.
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Send the design to the laser cutter.
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The machine cuts the design on the material.
Die casting (metals)
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Pour the metal into the chamber
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The plunger will push the metal into the cavity