Polyshot Corp., a leading manufacturer of hot-runner systems, has reached an exclusive distribution agreement with Plasel Mold of Lavon, Israel, to sell Plasel’s novel injection molded mold cavities in North America. Plasel has developed a unique injection molding process using powered metal technology (PMT) to produce precision mold cavities for high-cavitation injection molded applications.
“This is game-changing technology for the moldmaking industry and we’re excited about our partnership with Plasel,” said Doug Hepler, president of Polyshot Corp. “For high-cavitation molds, this technology delivers higher repeatability and greater precision than today’s conventional metal working processes.” High-cavitation molds (typically 32 cavities and larger) are being targeted for injection molded medical and consumer products, according to Hepler.
The process allows PMT duplication from a master mold, guaranteeing all cavities are precisely the same, regardless of volume or date of manufacture. Due to the extremely precise cavity replication, tolerances of up to 15 microns are achievable, depending on cavity size and configuration.
PMT mold cavities are injection molded of H-13 tool steel and shipped hardened to standard Rockwell hardness with surface finishes of up to Rmax2. High-cavity definition including fine detail and sharp corners are easily produced. PMT mold cavities permit unique shapes that would be difficult or impossible to produce with other metal working processes, says Hepler.
PMT cavities can be machined (EDM, grinding, etc.) like conventional mold cavities, allowing for design and engineering changes at a later date. Maximum PMT cavity size is 25 mm by 30 mm by 70 mm.
Due to the PMT manufacturing process, cooling of the cavities is accomplished externally. Typically, PMT cavities are inserted in plates which are cooled from a mold base that incorporates water lines. The process permits cycle times on PMT cavities as low as 3.2 sec for small parts.
In addition to medical and consumer products, PMT mold cavities are finding use in 128-cavity molds for the production of drip irrigation parts.
