Need to make plastic injection molded parts.

[Clevelander]

I need to make some small plastic parts in a plastic similar to delrin but their size makes machining them seems impractical. Here's the thing....right now I'd be making the part on spec so I don't want to put a lot of money into it. The best way to describe the part is to think of a golf tee that is about 0.90" in dia and about .250 long with a small tit on top to keep a spring aligned.

Anyone interested in giving it a go to make the part? It's part of a small product I'm trying to make that should sell a few thousand pieces per year if I can product the product.

[KIMFAB]

Here is a possible solution if you have the time.



Made from a military surplus aircraft landing gear, a pipe wrapped with nichrome wire with a sensor and a power steering pump for pressure.

I can do about 6 cc of PVC or ABS with it.

You can throw one together for next to nothing but you will still need the mold.

[DFMiller]

Have you looked at some of the manual injection machines out there? They are modest in price and the molds are rather cheap. If your part volume is small enough they would work. A google search should turn up several options. The raw materials for a mold for a production machine adds up really fast.

Have you looked at any of the cast options?

Let us know what you find.

Dave

[Jaakko Fagerlund]

Yup, I would suggest a premade or DIY version of a small injection machine and making the mold yourself.

If doing a standard mold to a commercial machine, the usual small sized mold components cost about 1000 EUR.

[Grind Hard]

http://www.techkits.com/pim/index.htm





I built something similar awhile back for a batch of plastic "things" that we used at work. Shipping spacers to prevent a hole from collapsing during transit.

Easy enough to make if you have a lathe.

[kd4gij]

Look into 3D printer kits.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/3d_printers/

[MinnesotaHSM]

Draw your part in CAD and send to http://www.redeyeondemand.com/

[HWooldridge]

Why can't they be machined? That size range is not microscopic by any means and within the range of a good lathe.

[jdunmyer]

The Projects Five book from Village Press has plans for a small injection molding machine that they claim could be built for maybe $50.00.

[Toolguy]

Check into ProtoMold if you don't want to do them yourself. They can make the mold and mold the parts pretty quick and cheap.