GIM relies on high-pressure carbon dioxide or nitrogen to shape a hollow or channel in a moulded plastic part. Demand for injection-moulded plastic parts is rising, as are expectations surrounding the surface quality of moulded parts. Many manufacturers already rely on state-of-the-art gas injection moulding (GIM) processes using nitrogen to solve today’s product design challenges. GIM is typically used to manufacture handles for cars and white goods, automotive panels and similar parts with thicker cross-sections.
Over the past decade, water injection moulding (WIM) has grown in popularity as an alternative to GIM, especially for fluid pipes. Despite its high heat removal capacity and good pressurising performance, water has various handling drawbacks, including the need for drying and the risk of water leakage resulting in surface damage. GIM avoids these drawbacks by eliminating the need for a post-water drying step.
Driving innovation
Over time, we have been systematically innovating and refining standard GIM methods to take productivity and profitability to the next level. For instance, we added a patented inner cooling process. To further increase the competitive and technical gains offered by GIM, we went on to replace nitrogen with carbon dioxide, which accelerates process times through its excellent cooling performance. We also developed an innovative purging solution for even greater quality and productivity gains.