How Poor Venting and Mold Expansion Affect Plastic Parts

In the injection molding process, the mold cavity is initially filled with air before the plastic melt enters. Additionally, the plastic melt itself generates a significant amount of gas during injection.

During mold filling, all these gases must be expelled from the cavity. The primary pathways for gas escape generally include:

• Gaps between mold inserts and ejector pins.
• The parting line of the mold.
• Dedicated vents and exhaust grooves.

The Consequences of Poor Venting

When venting is inadequate, the gas within the cavity becomes compressed as the plastic melt is continuously injected. The greater the degree of compression, the stronger the resistance against the advancing melt.

Simultaneously, the plastic melt loses energy during flow, causing its temperature to drop and its fluidity to decrease. Faced with the obstruction of compressed gas, the consequences typically manifest in two ways:

1. Short Shots or Burning: The melt fails to overcome the resistance of the compressed gas, forcing it to stop advancing. This results in short shots (incomplete filling) or burnt marks on the part.
2. Mold Expansion: The melt eventually breaks through the air barrier, but the excessive pressure required to do so—particularly in molds with multi-point gates—causes the mold to expand or flash.

Long-Term Mold Deformation

Molds, especially those with multi-point gating systems, are susceptible to deformation after prolonged use. The center area of the gate is directly subjected to the injection pressure from the machine's screw. Consequently, this area has the highest probability of expansion, which ultimately becomes a major factor leading to product rejection.

Comparison of Venting Issues

À propos de l'auteur

Alex Yu

Ideal Pro Manufacturing

Alex est le cofondateur d’Ideal Pro, mais lorsqu’il ne supervise pas des projets clés ou ne dirige pas l’équipe technique, vous le trouverez sans doute en train de faire une longue balade à vélo, à la recherche du meilleur café de la ville, ou en train de planifier sa prochaine aventure de voyage. Fort de plus de 20 ans d’expérience dans le commerce international et la gestion de projets, il a tout vu : délais serrés, problèmes techniques complexes et tout ce qui se trouve entre les deux. Il est convaincu qu’un travail de qualité naît d’un esprit bien reposé et d’une bonne tasse de café, et il apporte cette même curiosité et ce même souci du détail à chaque projet qu’il entreprend. Lorsqu’il n’est pas au bureau, il se trouve généralement en plein air, à explorer de nouveaux endroits et à glaner des anecdotes à partager.