The plastic products we use in our daily lives come in a wide variety of shapes—round, square, and even oddly shaped—but do you know how they’re actually made? The answer is injection molding machines. And when these machines shape plastic into precise forms, they rely on air compressors to function properly. Below, we’ll start with the basics to give you a detailed explanation of the role air compressors play in injection molding machines, as well as key considerations for selecting the right air compressor specifically tailored for injection molding applications.

　　The injection molding industry is a significant sector within the national economy, encompassing applications such as molds for injection-molded toys, footwear, containers, wood-plastic composites, pipe preforms, aerospace components, rotational molds, apparel accessories, automotive and motorcycle parts, and agricultural tools—each of which relies on air compressors. But what exactly is the role of an air compressor in an injection molding machine? That depends on the specific situation! After all, selecting the right air compressor to match an injection molding machine varies considerably depending on the application at hand.

　　Air compressors used in injection molding machines are widely applied in the injection molding industry.

　　What is the role of an air compressor used in injection molding machines? How are air compressors integrated into the injection molding industry as supporting equipment?

　　The principle behind the air compressor used in injection molding machines: Air occupies a certain amount of space, but it doesn’t have a fixed shape or volume. When pressure is applied to air confined within a sealed container, the air’s volume is compressed, increasing the internal pressure. Once the external force is removed, the air, driven by its own internal pressure, naturally expands back to its original volume. If there’s a movable object inside the container, as the air returns to its original size, the object will be pushed outward and ejected due to the force exerted by the compressed air. This principle is widely applied in both manufacturing and everyday life.

　　What are the functions of an air compressor used in injection molding machines?

　　In injection molding processes, there’s another technology that also makes the role of compressed air critically important: gas-assisted injection molding. The air compressor used in injection molding machines—essentially, all thermoplastic plastics and common engineering materials used in injection molding (such as PS, HIPS, PP, ABS, etc.)—are compatible with gas-assist technology. Today, gas-assist technology is widely applied across a variety of plastic products, including TV sets, refrigerators, air conditioner or audio equipment casings, automotive plastic components, household appliances, everyday consumer goods, toys, and more.