How to Customize Plastic Parts Using Extrusion Techniques

Manufacturers can use plastic extrusion to create plastic components for the solar, appliance, automotive, and military industries. This includes wire insulation and pipes. Clark Rubber & Plastic offers plastic and rubber extrusion services. Here are several ways to customize plastic parts with extrusion techniques:

Unique Molds for Die Cutting

The plastic extrusion process works by melting plastic pellets and pushing the material through a metal die. Metal dies have sharp, high-precision blades that cut and shape the plastic. A cold water bath cools the plastic, and the sizing belt and blade cut the plastic into individual parts. Die cutting can be used with multiple types of plastic, including polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. 

The metal die shapes the plastic according to specific dimensions. A plastic manufacturer can create a customized die mold that aligns with your particular product requirements. Using a unique die allows manufacturers to create customized plastic shapes for various industries and uses. This includes the distinctive shapes required for product packaging and the casing and seals for appliances. It also allows the manufacturer to create specialty parts. Clark Rubber & Plastic offers customized die molds and precision die-cutting services. 

Custom Colors for Products

Colorants are mixed into the raw materials to color a plastic extrusion product. The melting process allows the plastic pellets to combine with colorants. This coloring process allows all the parts to be the same color, creating a uniform appearance. You can choose a custom color for your products. We can also combine multiple colors in a single project. 

Co-Extrusion Process for Different Materials

Different materials have varying thicknesses and durability. Using two or more materials in a plastic component allows you to build a complex product with multiple properties. The co-extrusion process can help you customize the component to fulfill the necessary performance requirements, such as enhancing the component’s strength and sturdiness. This can be helpful when creating plastic parts used in military vehicles and armaments. These parts are held to high standards for durability, as they are required to withstand extreme conditions. Our high-quality production system helps make sure all of our products meet high safety and production standards.

Co-extrusion also allows manufacturers to combine two polymers into a cross-section to create different layers. The materials are extruded at the same time. The extruding machines can be set to various speeds to change the layers’ thickness. We can also combine three polymers through tri-extrusion, which uses three extrusion processes. Our team members at Clark Rubber & Plastic offer recommendations on what type of materials are appropriate for your product.

Plastic Extrusion at Clark Rubber & Plastic

We use tubing, blow film, and sheet extrusion processes to create uniform tubes, thin films, and plastic sheets. From prototyping to high-level production, Clark Rubber & Plastic provides fast turnaround times for plastic extrusion projects. We also offer milling, digital printing, and packaging services for your products. An online form is available on our website to request a quote. To learn more about the extrusion techniques at Clark Rubber & Plastic, call us today.