Plastic fabrication involves multiple processes, starting with design and planning, material selection, material preparation, forming and shaping, finishing and assembly, and concluding with quality control and inspection. There are several plastic fabrication methods, each with various processes. Listed and discussed below are three common methods:
- 3D Printing:By constructing objects layer by layer from a computer model, 3D printing emerges as a highly adept method for crafting intricate designs and prototypes. This process involves creating a 3D model using software, selecting a compatible plastic filament—important when utilizing an FDM printer—preparing and loading the filament into the printer, and then sequentially extruding the model onto a build platform. The printed object undergoes polishing during finishing and assembly, followed by a final inspection to ensure accuracy and identify flaws.
- Extrusion: Extrusion is a popular method for shaping plastic pellets into continuous objects like sheets and pipelines. Fundamental procedures include designing the required die form, choosing appropriate plastic pellets depending on their qualities, melting the pellets, and then running the molten plastic through the die to shape it. The operation is finished by cutting the continuous shape to the necessary lengths and checking for uniformity and flaws.
- Plastic Injection Molding: The plastic injection molding process creates complicated pieces by pouring molten plastic into a mold. Plastic pellets are heated and injected into the mold after choosing the right material and designing the mold. There, they cool and solidify inside the mold’s shape. After this, the object is taken out of the mold and thoroughly inspected for flaws, dimensions, and general quality.
