It is a fairly safe bet that most of us do not spend hours and hours every day thinking about the importance of moulding or the role of moulds in products. However, if we do ever take time to stop and think about it carefully, we may well be quite surprised by how many everyday products depend on plastic injection moulding for their existence. Plastic injection moulding has become a ubiquitous manufacturing process that has benefitted most, if not all industry sectors in many different ways.
Here, in no particular order, are several common objects that have been created using everyday product moulds and made from plastic for its flexibility, strength and reliability.
Plastic cups and plates
Who hasn’t packed up a picnic for family or friends to enjoy and reached for the plastic cups and plates to go in the basket or bag alongside the food? While paper plates can do the job, there is something satisfying about a solid, chunky plate and cup from which to enjoy your al fresco food and drink. Don’t forget your plastic knives, forks and spoons, all made using everyday product moulds.
Keyboards and remotes
Computers have become essential to so many people’s jobs, as well as being a source of pleasure during our downtime. Plastic injection moulding can be thanked for keyboards, remote controls, gaming controllers, smartphone casings and lots more. The tough plastic protects the delicate electronics inside, as well as safeguarding the expensive equipment from liquid spills, extreme temperatures, dust and damage from being dropped.
Toys and games
From action hero figures to frisbees; plastic building bricks to musical instruments, plastic has long been a go-to material for children’s toys. It is robust, easy to keep clean, safe to handle and colourful. Another reason for the importance of moulding when it comes to toys is the ability to create intricate details, great for role play, building models and handling by little hands.
Syringes and containers
The medical and healthcare sector relies on plastic injection moulding to keep supplies sterile, protect delicate electronics and equipment and to provide clean, temper-proof packaging for medications. Plastics is also ideal for single-use equipment, such as syringes, disposable surgical tools and PPE to prevent cross-contamination.
Toothbrushes and hairbrushes
Personal grooming items, such as toothbrushes, hairbrushes, hand-held mirrors etc must be easy to clean for reasons of hygiene, as well as robust to withstand daily use (or more often). Plastic fits the bill for all of these varied requirements, plus it looks attractive and can be moulded to fit any design.
Bottle caps and fasteners
Whenever we grab a bottle of water on the go, we rely on the role of moulds in products to keep the water, or whatever drink we choose, inside the bottle until we want to drink it. The simple, yet essential bottle cap is a product of plastic injection moulding, which allows high volumes of extremely accurate bottle caps to be produced on a regular basis.
Kitchenware and utensils
In a similar vein to what’s happening across other sectors, plastic is rapidly replacing heavier, more expensive materials in the realm of kitchenware and utensils. Plastic is easy to clean, hygienic, smooth to the touch and versatile in its design. Making it the ideal choice for constantly used kitchenware. It doesn’t rust like metal, nor shatter like glass. Perfect for busy cooks and bottle-washers.
Flower pots and seed trays
Keen gardeners will have doubtless already cottoned on to the many benefits of plastic flowerpots and seed trays, They are lighter and less brittle than terracotta alternatives and can be stacked and moved around the garden or greenhouse easily. Plastic can also withstand being exposed to the elements for a long time, helping to prolong their useful working life.
Toilet seats and soap dispensers
Plastic’s anti-bacterial properties makes it a brilliant match for the bathroom. Of all the rooms in a house or flat, the bathroom must contain fittings, appliances and accessories that can be thoroughly cleaned and made and hygienic as possible to avoid illnesses and infections. Plastic injection moulding is ideal for the smaller, intricate hinges on toilet seats and the pump mechanism workings that help soap dispensers do their job.