Different types of gate for injection molding

The narrow and shallow portion of the runner as it enters the cavity is called the gate.

Runner and Gating Design Handbook: Tools for Successful Injection MoldingIndustrial Design Books)

Listed here are the different types of gate with their characteristics. Sprue and runner are described here.

Side gate: This is the most commonly used gate type and is commonly used for mold structures with 2 or more cavities. It is placed at the side of the plastic product. The gate has to be cut manually by a cutter.

side-gate

Submarine gate: The positioning of this gate is flexible thoughout the sides of the plastic product. It can be placed on the fixed or movable side of the mold but the design has to be thought about carefully so that the product will not be left inside the fixed cavity. The gate automatically cuts itself as the mold opens.

submarine-gate

Fan gate: It is commonly used for large and flat plate products. It is placed at the side of the product – same as the side gate. The gate has to be cut manually by a cutter.

fan-gate

Film gate: Similar to fan gate except that it is commonly used for thin and flat plate products.

film-gate

Pin gate: This is possible for molding multiple cavities or parts. The gate positioning is relatively flexible at the top side of the product. The runner layout is very flexible as well. The mold base structure is complicated because it uses a 3-plate method.

pin-gate

Runner and Gating Design Handbook: Tools for Successful Injection Molding

Banana gate: This is not a very common gate. It is used when the visible surface of the product requires no trace of the gate. The gate automatically cuts itself as the mold opens.

banana-gate

Direct gate: The sprue serves as the gate. It is placed on the top side of the product. The gate has to be cut manually by a cutter. This gate type can only produce one part per shot. The molding cost is low because the material from the runner was ellimenated. The injection pressure was reduced due to direct cavity filling. The simple mold structure makes the mold cost lower.

direct-gate

What is Injection Molding

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Injection molding is an economical and very efficient method of producing injection molded parts. It can produce millions of parts with exactly the same shape, dimension, and quality. Some examples of injection molded parts are the mobile phones, mouse, keyboard, and many components found inside the automobile.

What is an injection mold?

An injection mold is a device made of metal to produce a plastic product faster, less expensive, and more consistent. A comprehensive reference about injection molds can be found in Injection Mold Design Engineering. There are also Injection Molds 130 Proven Designs for your design reference.

How does injection molding works?

Just heat the resin until it melts then force it into the cool mold. Allow it to solidify. Open the mold then take off the molded part.

That’s it!

As the molten resin is being injected into the mold, it enters the mold opening called the sprue. From the sprue this molten material will then be distributed to the runners then it will be fored into the gate and then into the cavity. The cavity must be filled precisely to avoid short shots but it must not be over packed (over packing is forcing more than enough pressure to the resin and it can damage the mold). The molten resin will stay in the cavity for 30 seconds to 1 minute or more until it cools down and solidify. When the resin solidify a molded part is formed. The mold will open and then the molded part will be ejected. The mold closes and its ready for another shot.

Why is an injection mold expensive?

Injection molds are made up of special, high quality steels that have a good machinability property. Some standard mold components such as springs, bolts, and limit switch are prefabricated and costs lower.

assembled-base

Most standard components such as ejector pins, ejector sleeves, sprue bushings, and leader components are not prefabricated which mean they will only be manufactured when you order them. They are not mass produced thus they are expensive. The cavity and core are mold components which make the mold really expensive. It involves careful design engineering and processing. Most of the tools used in making these components are very expensive.