AIM Processing Small Plastic Parts Blog

If you’ve ever flipped open a bottle of ketchup or tube of toothpaste, you’ve used a living hinge. A living hinge is formed as an extension of the base and cap material, which in many cases is polypropylene plastic. This thin piece of material between the base and cap is flexible, allowing the cap to be bent out of the way as the contents of the container are dispensed and then returned to the closed position. Living hinges can be created in a number of ways, but one of the most cost-effective methods is plastic injection molding.

One of the keys to creating small plastic parts that are free of cosmetic blemishes is consistent wall thickness. When wall thickness is not relatively uniform throughout a part, the plastic cools at different rates, and problems can occur. Thin wall sections in the middle of a part can be especially problematic, as they lead to improper filling and issues like sink and warp. But, by following a few guidelines, you can ensure that your parts are both visually appealing and functionally sound.

Some of the companies who come to us for small plastic parts in Colorado simply need the finished part from the plastic injection molding process. Many others, however, want or need to have additional actions performed on their parts. These actions are what are known as “secondary services,” and they can be critical to a customer’s plastic injection molding project.

In order to put out high-quality products, you need high-quality small plastic parts. As a leading small plastic parts manufacturer in Denver for more than two decades, we know what companies can and should expect from their provider. We also know that accepting anything less than the best means you may be sacrificing the quality of your finished product. So we'll point out a few things to look for as you begin your next project.

Nylon is a synthetic thermoplastic that is extremely versatile and resistance to many chemicals. In our decades of small plastic parts manufacturing in Colorado, we have used it in a wide variety of ways. It is a material that is naturally very strong, but in some applications, glass is added to create greater structure and rigidity. What is referred to as “glass-filled nylon” provides many benefits to manufacturers, but there are also some cautions to keep in mind if you choose to work with it.