What Is Injection Moulding?

Injection moulding is the process of injecting molten—or liquified—material into a mould. The injected material is then cooled and solidified so that it retains the shape of the mould when removed.

The type of material injected into the moulds to create the desired end product varies; thermoplastics are the most common, but injection moulding can also be used to create products made of other materials, including glass and even confectionery. A similar process known as die-casting is used to make metal products.

The mould itself is usually custom-made from metal for a specific purpose. Thermoplastic pellets are then fed into the injection unit, which melts the plastic before injecting it into the mould. Next, coolant is applied to accelerate the cooling and solidifying of the plastic within the mould before the finished product is ejected.

Injection moulding minimises waste and allows for the rapid, large-scale production of parts and components. Said parts and components are used in lots of different places, including...

• Medical devices
• Electronics
• Packaging
• Consumer goods
• Vehicles
• Plumbing
• Musical instruments

...and so on. The list is virtually endless.

Because injection moulding is so widespread, injection moulding engineers are employed across all sorts of different industries, including the life sciences sector. In this blog post, we're going to take a look at this job and what it entails.

 

Injection Moulding Engineer: Key Duties & Responsibilities

Injection moulding engineers design, develop and maintain the processes involved in creating high-quality end components via injection moulding. This involves:

• Using software and collaborating across teams to design and develop moulds and moulding processes
  
  
• Ensuring the quality and efficiency of injection moulding processes
  
  
• Establishing, optimising, troubleshooting and maintaining the systems and conditions of manufacture to ensure smooth operation
  
  
• Mentoring and training technicians, and working to identify and resolve any quality issues that may arise
  
  
• Continued professional development (e.g. staying up to date with industry news and putting new advancements into practice)

 

What Qualifications Are Required?

An undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) in a subject like Mechanical or Polymer Engineering is typically required to work as an injection moulding engineer.

Experience in the injection moulding industry or a similar working environment is desirable, along with familiarity with good manufacturing processes (GMP).

An understanding of IQ, OQ and PQ protocols (Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification and Performance Qualification) is also essential.

 

Key Skills for Injection Moulding

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
  
  
• Keen analytical skills
  
  
• Ability to work across different teams
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to work with relevant software, such as computer-aided design (CAD) software
  
  
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced role, managing and prioritising multiple tasks
  
  
• An interest in industry advancements with a drive to implement improved manufacturing methodologies