Almost all components in consumer goods that were once made exclusively of some type of metal are now made by a variety of thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers. While this may help to reduce the cost to consumers, it also creates a demand for the ability to create more advanced types of molds to form these complex designs and shapes.
Aluminum mold plate is the material that is most often used in the development of injection molds. This plate is specifically designed for this application with precision manufacturing to the tightest possible tolerances in flatness and thickness as well as surface roughness. What this creates is an ideal surface for the mold, allowing for precision molds to be created without the need for extensive work on the surfaces.
Characteristics
As with all types of precision plate, aluminum mold plate is designed to have the properties or characteristics that are required for this application. This is a precision plate that is strong and durable and, in order to keep the flatness and to prevent distortion, it is very internally stable.
This means that when the molds are created there is no movement of the internal grains the aluminum, resulting in no distortion around the machined or welded areas. Without any movement each mold can be identical, allowing for the continual production of perfectly formed parts to the tolerances required by the specific application.
Mold Lifecycles
Another factor of an aluminum mold plate that needs to be considered is its ability to withstand high heats and cooling processes. This material can be heated and cooled over its lifetime without any deformation of the mold, regardless of wall thickness.
Keep in mind, some of the new types of aluminum injection molds can be used for half million to a million cycles before they need to be replaced, so they have to be durable and reliable. Some precision molds are used for up to 2 million cycles, so choosing the right plate is a critical factor.
