Injection molding machines are costly and require a handsome budget. So, wouldn’t making a machine by yourself be a good idea? It is indeed! However, you may ask: How do you build your own injection molding machine? Well, you’ll get a satisfactory answer in this piece.
If you are running a big business, you will need a specialized machine. You have customers, you are making money, and it is OK to invest in those machines. Right? But for hobbyists and seldom workers, those costs can be very high. Imagine your usage is once or twice a month.
Would it be wise to buy a $5000 machine for fewer uses? If you do that, it would be nothing short of madness. Therefore, I will teach you how to make your own injection molding machine with minimal cost. It would do your essential work like a charm. So, let’s get started!
Importance of Making Injection Molding Machine as a DIY Project
As I said earlier, injection molding machines are super expensive. Buying them requires a handsome budget. Only those established manufacturers can afford to operate at a professional Level. The reason is that they make enough money from their business.
So, they reinvest money and buy specialized machines. I’m not against those expensive machines as they offer exceptional performance. On average, such machines cost around $5000. However, paying such a significant amount is impossible for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts.
In such cases, the DIY injection molding machines come in handy. They are good enough to complete small tasks. While making a machine, you can put your desired features and parts in it. Moreover, the custom injection molding machines you made are generally compact. They don’t occupy ample space and fit on the desktop.
They are suitable for making small parts and components with ease. On average, you can complete a DIY product by creating a machine under a $300 budget. Now, compare the prices of new and self-made machines. This $300 machine will offer you superb performance for light tasks. You can use different molds to make your product the desired shape.
How to Make Your Own Injection Molding Machine?
Did you understand the importance of these custom machines and how they cut costs? If yes, you’d be excited to learn how to make an injection molding machine instead of buying it. Aren’t you? I won’t put you in wait. Let’s plunge into your steps to get the job done.
1- Tools & Equipment
Building an injection molding machine at home requires some essential tools. Without those, you may not be able to get the job done effectively. Those tools include:
- Drill
- Welding Machine
- Saw for cutting metal pieces.
- Material (either steel or aluminum)
- Screwdriver, wrenches, bolts, and screws
Keep in mind that steel is slightly more expensive than aluminum. So, if you have the budget, you should use steel, as it is more durable. But if you want to keep the cost to a minimum, you can use aluminum. You will use the frame, cylinder, and other parts used in the machine.
2- Make a CAD Design
The design or shape of the injection molding machine is made using CAD software. This will allow you to see how your final product will look. Moreover, you can make alterations and changes as you like during design.
Generally, the self-made injection machines are desktops. You can keep them on your desk while using them. However, there is no restriction in playing around with the shape and design. You can hire a designer if you don’t know how to use the software.
You’ll have to tell him the requirements, and he will design a model for you. I don’t like hiring a designer as it will add some additional cost to the project. Different models and design software are also available if CAD looks complex.
3- Build the Frame of the Machine
The frame is an integral part of the injection molding machine. It provides a base for all the components used in making the machines. You will have to fit or install the cylinders on this frame. There are two ways to install it. You can either weld or use the screws to secure it on the frame.
This cylinder will carry many other components, so make sure it is firm in its place. Using a welding machine while attaching the cylinder would be costly. Therefore, I suggest you use bolts and fit the parts together.
Keep in mind that the upside of this cylinder must be hollow. This will be the place where you will put the small plastic granules. The heater will heat these granules to make molten material. The size of the cylinder will define how much molten plastic it can carry at once.
Some people use two cylinders parallel to each other on the frame. This enhances the molding machine’s performance. However, it would also make the system more costly and complex. I recommend going with one cylinder attached to the frame.
4- Install the Heating Element
Do you know how injection molding machines work? The plastic is heated and changed into molten material, which goes into the molds, Right? This means you will have to use a small heating element to melt the plastic pellets for this heating.
This heater will go on the cylinder installed on the frame. This element (heater) will connect to the power source and produce heat. As a result of heating, the pellets or granules of plastics will melt and change into molten form. You should always use a small heater to avoid making the project costly.
Moreover, the big heater uses more electricity, making the machine expensive to run. I highly recommend you install a thermometer to check the heating level. If you worry about heating, use small fans along with a cylinder. It won’t allow the injection machine to overheat during use.
5- Create or Arrange a Mold
We are in the final stages, and you will need a mold to create the product. You can create your mold or buy one. I recommend purchasing the mold instead of making it. The reason is that creating mold takes a lot of time. Interestingly, these molds are inexpensive. So, they won’t significantly increase the project’s price.
Once you have the mold, it is time to add the clamping unit on the frame using screws and bolts. This unit will keep the mold secure in one place, just under the cylinder. You can skip making this clamp if you want to avoid additional costs. If you do so, you will have to keep the mold under the cylinder without clamping.
6- Attach the Plunger for Making the Injection Unit
As you know, the injection molding machine consists of an injection unit. This unit is crucial in putting or injecting the molten material into the molds, right? However, we cannot use a specialized injection unit; instead, we use a plunger for this functionality.
This plunger will be installed in the cylinder where the molten plastics are present. Place the plunger downward when molten material is put into the mold. This will put force on the molten material. The cylinder will have a hole at the bottom.
Due to pressure, the hole will open up, and the material will go into the mold under the hole. The more you press the plunge, the more molten material will enter the mold. The cylinder itself has an open area from the upside. So, you will put plastic granules on this open side.
As I said, the cylinder’s heating element provides heat, melting the granules. When you press the plunger on this material, the hole at the bottom of the cylinder opens. The material flows down and goes straight into the mold, filling it.
Quick Highlight: The mold will have the desired shape for your product. Once the mold is filled, the molten material will solidify and adapt its shape. This way, you will get your desired product with a specific shape. You can use a variety of molds to make different products.
Is Building Custom Injection Molding Machines Cost-Effective?
Yes, making your custom injection molding machine is affordable. Specialized molding machines come with more dedicated components that are expensive. However, you can use low-cost components to create a simple machine cheaply. It is undoubtedly cost-effective.
Have you ever seen or used a specialized injection molding machine? It consists of many high-priced parts and components. Those parts are in big sizes, which increases the prices. Moreover, some modern machines come with multiple sensors and digital screens. They are even more expensive.
But you don’t need those significant parts if you are a hobbyist or seldom use the machine. In such a case, you should make your own injection molding machine instead of buying it. During making, make sure to use small parts made with aluminum or steel material.
Let me give you an overview of their price differences. A brand-new specialized injection molding machine costs around $5000. Conversely, you can make a simple machine on a $300 budget. This machine will meet your needs if your usage is not aggressive. Therefore, such self-made machines are 100% worth it.
Quick Highlight: I don’t recommend making and using such machines if you are a professional manufacturer. They won’t meet your highly demanding work. You should invest more money and buy a specialized one. It would give you ideal working and quick turnaround.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a self-made Injection molding machine?
DIY injection molding machines that you build yourself instead of purchasing fall under this category. They are simple and practical for a small range of tasks. However, their performance won’t be good professional work that requires a quick turnaround. What makes them prominent is their low cost.
Can I make an injection molding machine if I am not a designer?
Yes, you can still make it, as design is not mandatory. You can hire a CAD designer and get your model ready. You can use the steps mentioned above to make the machine similar to the model.
Is making my injection molding machine worth it?
Yes, 100%, especially if you don’t have aggressive usage. These machines are compact, simple, and can offer excellent functionality for small tasks. They are worth trying if you love DIY projects. However, they are suitable for professionals.
Conclusion
Creating your injection molding machine is not complex work. However, it could sound daunting because you don’t have basic know-how. This guide is a beacon of light if you want to make and pamper yourself a machine. It won’t be costly and offers optimal performance for mild tasks.