You are here

Dip molding

Plastic forming process where a mold is dipped into a molten material.

Beskrivning
Illustration of Dip molding

The process

A preheated mold [1] is dipped in a heated molten material [2] which then attach to the mold surface forming a layer [3]. Process is generally repeated several times to achieve a sufficiently thick layer.

When the layers have solidified the shell is removed from the mold.

Advantages and disadvantages
In comparison with alternative methods
Low costs to create prototypes
Low cost of creating mold
Many different thickness options without having to change the mold, long-life of components
Complex products can be easily removed from the mold
Worse tolerances for the external dimensions
Limited design possibilities of the outer surface
Checking the thickness is difficult
Relatively slow process