In a fast-moving age, the demand for small batches for spare parts procurement in the industrial goods industry is increasing significantly. Although 3D printing is developing increasing popularity as an additive manufacturing process in terms of production speed and cost savings, traditional processes such as injection molding are suitable for the efficient production of small series in mold making. Here, it is important to balance production challenges and quality requirements in order to guarantee customers the best possible component, even in long-term production runs.
The challenges of injection molding
The technical approach of the injection molding process is the reason for the challenges in the production of small series. Even a small series is subject to the requirement for the individual production of an adequate injection mold. The conceptual design of said injection molds takes a large part of the time and cost, which should usually be divided in a cost degression. However, small batches do not provide the quantitative basis and are thus at first sight unsuitable for the production of the same. Alternative manufacturing processes such as 3D printing promise flexible production of the arbitrary component at low cost. But the argument for choosing the injection molding process lies in the precision and quality of the manufactured parts.
3D printing compared to injection molding - cost-effective alternative?
While additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing shine through flexibility, the strength of injection molding lies in its versatile performance. Currently, there is no 3D printing process that can match the material diversity of injection molding. The mechanical properties and quality compromises beat industrial 3D printing in component quality assurance. Especially under the starting point that components are used in long-term investment goods, highest quality standards are necessary. Comparable to 3D printing, the qualitative requirements of a component are an indispensable criterion of long-term use. Injection molding is also an adequate option for expanding small series into mass production at low cost. Further, the stage-like structure of 3D printing can bring qualitative disadvantages of longevity. The advantages of injection molding over mechanical manufacturing processes are therefore obvious: consistent quality level, faster provisioning processes and, above all, cost-effective use for recurring requirements. Combined, injection molding shines with two characteristics: quality and versatility.
From prototype to operations
However, the two processes should not be contrasted, but should cooperate with each other. VWH GmbH uses the technology of industrial 3D printing for rapid prototyping and thus enables a fast provision of prototypes for a production in injection molding small series. The required small series finds its origin in an optimized prototype and a clear definition of the required factors. This must be tested for functionality. Characteristics of texture, appearance and functionality are exclusion criteria in order to determine the right prototypes and, based on this, the required injection molds. If these are convincing, the actual injection molding process begins, which takes only a few days to a few weeks in a small series. However, the process does not end with the cooling of the injection molded part. Post-processing and meticulous quality control are also part of VWH's production process in order to meet quality standards as well as individual customer requirements.
Injection molding in the focus of everyday business
All this makes injection molding an actionable form of manufacturing for a variation of industries. From small businesses to industrial conglomerates, VWH GmbH also produces injection molding small batches in numbers less than 1000. Cost-effective manufacturing is represented by the future-proof component supply through the logistics of VWH GmbH. It makes it possible to store the injection molds and to respond quickly to any required inquiries. The components can be supplied within 5 days.
