Home Injection Molding

This Instructable explains how to make real injection molded plastic parts using a simple hand-operated machine. I realize most of you reading this don't have one of these machines, but I decided to post here anyway just to let all the garage inventors out there know that such a cool tool even exists.

More details about the machine can also be found at www.injectionmolder.net

Enjoy!

Step 1 Machine set up

a) Plug in the machine. b) Turn on the power switch. c) Adjust the thermostat to the desired temperature.

Comments

[nerd12]

if you ran out of plastic and had a million scratched CDs, you could scrape the shiny surface off and cut the cd into chips for melting.

[lfiore]

There is also a slightly larger home-size machine available that you can use to make small parts or prototype short runs.

It compresses plastic from the top with a hydraulic ram instead of a manual handle and simultaneously melts it with a digitally-controlled heater, for consistent results. At the bottom it also uses a hydraulic clamp for more force to hold the mold in place, instead of a manual vice.

It can make really finely detailed parts such as the threads on this wing nut (picture attached).

You can find the detailed drawings of the machine at my website at http://www.mediummachinery.com . Or, I have a video you can watch here.

[Jack Scott]

Questions

How much and how do you buy this machine?
How do you make plastic modes?

I would like to buy one of these but I need more information.

email me at [e-mail]

[dannyboy75]

Thanks for this instructable. I don't really like instructables that have a 'commercial break' feel about them but I have been looking for one of these (and by the way I also have the book mentioned in some of the other comments-very good too-worth the money) as I don't want the hassle of getting a small industrial unit. So many thanks

[wyeastpapa]

Check out linsay books. fo google dave gingery how to make your own injection molder.

[Culturedropout]

There's a book out by Vince Gingery about making your own injection-molding setup. Most of the complexity is in making the frame, lever, etc. strong and accurate enough for the purpose. He later came out with another book that uses a drill press (with the power off!) to supply the up-down motion with the necessary accuracy and force. With the second method, it looks like there's just an aluminum block with a fairly precisely drilled or milled hole in it to fit a piston made from a length of steel rod, and another hole in the block to take some kind of (apparently readily-available) cylindrical heating element. Add a thermostatic temperature control (or just a rheostat and a candy thermometer?) and a mold, and have at it. He uses strips cut from soda bottles, milk jugs, etc. as raw material.

[mefromliny]

Thanks for posting the info on the Vince Gingery book. Ken

[killerjackalope]

I'm pretty sure I could make one of these, I have most of the bits here, just need to give it a try I guess... What temperature ranges do they operate at?

[milkdude1967]

Was you able to make one of these thanks

[killerjackalope]

Not yet but it's getting there, I've had to look hard for substitution bits...

[milkdude1967]

are you going to sell these or just for your own use thanks

[killerjackalope]

If I can make it work reliably and well then I'd consider selling them...

[E=MC2]

Max thermostat temp is 550F +/- 5%

[killerjackalope]

Cool, I think I could find something to operate about that...

[8bit]

where would you get the piston?

[killerjackalope]

Possibly machine it or use some piece of junk I have kicking about, I have a few ideas...

[8bit]

What ideas? I'm looking for ideas. Went to the hardware store but couldn't find two pipes that fit nicely. BTW, a good tip: use some sheet metal to prevent splatter when injecting. That way, you won't get burned if something fails.

[killerjackalope]

Well, I'll have a look see what I can dig up, my rig may be a tad more industrial looking than commercial ones...

[trapper23]

hi can you tell me where i can acquire this machine i have uses for it in making prototype units rgards trapper23

[E=MC2]

Website for machine is www.injectionmolder.net. I updated instructable to include URL.

[8bit]

where do you get pistons like that? I was thinking abt making a machine like this.

[John Smith]

thats pretty cool but theres no way in hell that i am spending 1500 on an injection molding machine.... i mean, i'm a week or three away from goin all out and buying a $975 mill with $500 bucks of tooling, (its around $1400 total), but... man thats alot. i guess if you do production work, its easily justified. but you could build one. Dave Gingery has a book on making one. There's several out there... ...

[LeumasYrrep]

Nice Machine. Too bad about the price thought =P. I have seen a home made version in The Home Shop Machinist. Plastic Injection Molding Machine Volume 10 Issue 3, May 1991. Like HarveyH44 suggested it used recycled plastic. Tops of milk jugs and such.

[HarveyH44]

Nice machine, would have been better if you gave some info or links to who makes or sells them. Wonder if you could use recycled plastic, just need to shred it up. I work in a plastic factory for 5 years, the machines are huge. I've been making pewter figurines for years, have dozens of molds, pretty sure the melt temp is about the same as PET (470 degrees F).

[E=MC2]

Sorry, I didn't know if commercial link was permitted in instructable, so I did not include.

website is: www.injectionmolder.net

There's a lot more details about machine on the website.