Factors influencing the quality of production in thermoplastic injection molding factories

Abstract

This research aims to examine factors affecting the production quality of plastic injection molding factories using thermoplastics. Research methodologies used in this study are quantitative and case study methods. The instrument used for data collection is semi-structured interviews developed from related concepts and theories based on three perspectives: (1) production, (2) waste reduction, and (3) machining operation behaviors. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from eight interviewees. The Triangulation Method was used to collect data from three sources: (1) literature review, (2) experts, and (3) factories. It was found that there were five factors affecting production quality of plastic injection molding factories using thermoplastics. First, workers played a great role in increasing the production quality if they strictly followed their supervisors’ order, safety guidelines, and protocols. Second, the production quality could be increased if machine maintenance schedules were set and work procedures were clearly designated for workers. Third, manufacturers could reduce production time by means of regularly checking the condition of molds. Otherwise, defective molds could result in injection molding defects such as flow lines, which takes time to be fixed. Fourth, each injection molding machine is specially designed for a particular plastic type. Therefore, it was found that using the right kind of plastics for a certain machine could reduce in injection molding defects. Fifth, setting injection molding machine parameters appropriately could minimize injection molding defects such as short shots and flow lines. All the five factors were found to reduce defects in production, which in turn maximize production quality of plastic injection molding factories using thermoplastics.