![[Injection Molder.zip]] The [[Precious Plastic]] Injection Molder is a machine developed as part of the [[Precious Plastic]] project, an open-source initiative aimed at empowering communities to recycle plastic waste and turn it into new products. The injection molder is specifically designed to transform shredded plastic waste into molded products using injection molding techniques. ![[Pasted image 20241008003421.png]] Key features and components of the [[Precious Plastic]] Injection Molder include: 1. **Hopper:** The injection molder typically features a hopper where shredded plastic waste is fed into the machine. The hopper may include a shredder or granulator to break down larger pieces of plastic into smaller, more manageable pieces before injection. 2. **Heating Cylinder:** Inside the injection molder, there is a heating cylinder where the shredded plastic is melted to form a molten resin. The heating cylinder is equipped with heating elements or electric heaters to raise the temperature of the plastic to its melting point. 3. **Injection Unit:** The injection unit of the molder includes a screw or plunger mechanism that forces the molten plastic through a nozzle and into a mold cavity under high pressure. The injection unit helps to maintain a consistent flow rate and pressure during the injection process. 4. **Mold:** The mold is a precision-engineered tool that defines the shape and dimensions of the molded product. It consists of two halves, the cavity and the core, which are mounted on the injection molder and held together under pressure during the injection process. 5. **Clamping System:** The injection molder is equipped with a clamping system that securely holds the mold halves together during injection. The clamping system applies sufficient force to keep the mold closed while the plastic is injected and cooled. 6. **Cooling System:** After the molten plastic is injected into the mold cavity, it is cooled down using a cooling system, such as water channels or air cooling, to solidify it into the desired shape. The cooling system helps to maintain the dimensional accuracy and quality of the molded product. 7. **Ejection Mechanism:** Once the molded product has cooled and solidified, it is ejected from the mold cavity using an ejection mechanism, such as ejector pins or a hydraulic cylinder. The ejection mechanism pushes the molded product out of the mold so that it can be removed and processed further. The [[Precious Plastic]] Injection Molder is designed to be affordable, easy to build, and customizable, making it accessible to individuals, makerspaces, and community workshops around the world. By recycling plastic waste locally and transforming it into valuable products using injection molding techniques, the molder contributes to reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. ![[Pasted image 20241008003354.png]]