Injection molding parting line or mold split line is a line or surface on an injection molded part where the two halves of the mold meet. The mold is split along the parting line to allow for the injection of molten plastic and the release of the finished part. The appearance and location of the parting line can have an impact on the quality and aesthetics of the final product, and it is most important considered factor when designing the mold.
The design of the mold split line should take into account the mold’s functionality, the desired appearance of the finished part, the strength requirements of the part, and the cost of the molding process. The precision of the parting line can be improved through proper mold design, high-quality machining, proper maintenance, quality control procedures, and operator training.
How to design injection molding parting line
When we start to make the plastic mold, the first thing to do will be mold design, good parting line design will last the mold life time and easy to manufacture, designing the mold parting line in injection molding involves considering several factors, including:
- Mold Functionality: The mold must separate easily to allow the injection of plastic and the removal of the finished part. The parting line must be designed to allow for the proper functioning of the mold.
- Part Aesthetics: The location and appearance of the parting line can affect the appearance of the finished part. It is important to consider the location and shape of the parting line to minimize its impact on the appearance of the part.
- Part Strength: The location of the parting line can affect the strength of the finished part. In general, it is desirable to have the parting line located in areas of low stress on the part to minimize the impact on strength.
- Manufacturing Considerations: The design of the parting line should take into account the manufacturing processes used to produce the mold and the finished part. For example, the location of the parting line may need to be adjusted to accommodate the movement of slides or cores during the molding process.
- Cost: The design of the mold parting line can impact the cost of producing the mold and the finished part. It is important to consider the impact of the parting line design on the cost of the mold and part in order to optimize the design for cost-effectiveness.
Overall, the design of the injection molding split line requires a careful consideration of the impact on the mold functionality, part aesthetics, strength, manufacturing processes, and cost.
How to manufacture the mold parting line correct or precision
During the mold manufacture, machining will be very precision, specially the mold split parting line. To manufacture the injection molding parting line with correct precision, the following steps should be considered:
- Proper Tool Design: A well-designed mold is essential for producing a precise and accurate split parting line. The mold design should take into account the material to be molded, the desired surface finish, simplify the parting line, and the location of the parting line.
- High-Quality Machining: The mold must be machined to tight tolerances in order to produce a precise parting line. The use of high-quality tool steels and advanced machining techniques such as CNC machining can help achieve the desired level of precision, do not use the manual grinding machine to work on the parting line.
- Proper Maintenance: Regular maintenance and cleaning of the mold can help maintain its accuracy and prevent wear and tear that can affect the precision of the parting line.
- Quality Control: Quality control procedures should be in place to ensure that the mold is producing parts with the desired level of precision. This may involve regular inspections, dimensional measurements, flash checking, and other quality control techniques.
By following these steps, it is possible to manufacture a precise and accurate parting line in injection molding. However, it is important to note that the specific requirements for each mold will vary, and the steps necessary to achieve the desired level of precision may vary as well.
How to avoid the venting and flash on the parting line?
To avoid venting and flash on the parting line in injection molding, the following steps can be taken:
- Proper Gate Design: The location and size of the gate can impact the formation of venting and flash. Proper gate design and placement can help reduce the risk of venting and flash along the parting line.
- Proper Mold Venting: Mold venting is used to release air and gases that can cause venting and flash along the parting line. Proper mold venting design and implementation can help minimize the risk of venting and flash.
- Proper Processing Conditions: The processing conditions, such as temperature, pressure, and injection speed, can impact the formation of venting and flash. Proper control of these conditions can help reduce the risk of venting and flash.
- Material Selection: The choice of material can impact the formation of venting and flash. Certain materials are more prone to venting and flash than others. Selecting the right material for the application can help minimize the risk of venting and flash, make the good parting line for the specified material is important.
- Mold Design and Maintenance: The design of the mold and its maintenance can also impact the formation of venting and flash. Proper mold design, including proper alignment and tight tolerances, and regular maintenance can help reduce the risk of venting and flash.
By following these steps, it is possible to minimize the risk of venting and flash along the parting line in injection molding. However, it is important to note that even with proper design and implementation, venting and flash can still occur and may need to be removed through additional processing steps such as trimming or grinding.