Custom extruded plastic products are more common than one might realize. These products are interacted with on a daily basis. From door and window frames, automotive bumper parts, and siding, to building insulation, custom extruded plastic products are around us every day.
Plastic extrusion services in general are also a cost-effective way to produce a large number of goods with a quick turnaround time. It’s a simple production method that follows key steps to produce products that are built to last.
Custom Profile guides you through custom extruded plastic products and common uses of these goods.
Practical Benefits of Custom Extruded Plastic Products
Custom extruded plastic products offer benefits that exceed regular extruded plastic products. As a custom product, it is tailor-made for specific applications. Let’s explore more.
Benefits
- Design Flexibility
- As a custom solution, there is plenty of flexibility during the design process. The right manufacturer will be able to create the part down to the most detailed spec. While it is a custom product, it is important to be mindful of too many tight cuts in order to eliminate production missteps.
- Cost-Effectiveness
- Even as a custom solution, it is a cost-effective service. Most custom extruded plastic products are large-scale runs and they all follow the same shape, thus driving down the cost.
- Wide Material Selection
- With the right manufacturer, you should expect to have a wide selection of materials to choose from. A proper manufacturing company will guide you to ensure you’re selecting a material that makes sense for the product’s intended use.
- Sustainability
- As technology continues to advance, the extrusion process is cutting down on waste, even for custom extruded products.
Detailing the Process
Material Selection and Preparation
Materials are selected based on the product’s intended use, desired properties, and required applications.
Once the materials have been selected, they are placed into a hopper in the form of resin. The hopper holds and stores unprocessed materials while continuing to feed the resin into the extruder.
Melting
As the resin begins to flow from the hopper into the extruder, it’s time for your project to move into the melting phase. The extruder heats up the resin to its melting point using a heated barrel and rotating screw.
Shaping
When the material has melted it moves into the shaping step, also known as formation. The melted material continues to move, only this time it is out of the extruder and into a die.
In this step, the product gets made into its desired shape through the die, which means consistency and continuity of the shape are essential. This is where the design portion comes to life and, if there are any inaccuracies with the physical product, the first step is to revisit the design.
Cooling
Once the product has taken shape, it’s ready to be cooled. This can happen in a variety of ways, but the two most common are through air chilling or water cooling. Controlled rate of cooling is essential because any changes in temperature could result in a product defect.
Finishing
Any final details your product might need take place in this last step before it is ready to ship out. Common customer modifications include cutting or drilling for other pieces to fit, depending on what the plastic extruded piece is used for.
Industries Served
Multiple industries utilize custom extruded plastic parts on a daily basis. These industries thrive in some capacity thanks to these critical components. Custom Profile is proud to serve these industries and more:
Construction
- Door and window frames
- Weatherstripping
- Siding
- Building insulation
Automotive
- Door seals
- Bumper parts
- Dashboard trim
Healthcare
- Custom tubes for IV lines, catheters, and respiratory equipment
- Protective covers for various medical lines and tubes that prevent spillage and potential contamination of fluids
Everyday Examples of Custom Extruded Plastic Products
We interact with custom extruded plastic products on a daily basis. Here are a few common examples you might come across:
- Office or household furniture trim
- Protective casings
- Industrial seals
- Lighting diffusers
Trust Custom Profile as Your Custom Extruded Plastic Products Supplier
Custom Profile serves as one of North America’s leading custom plastic manufacturers. With multiple industries served since 1992, we’ve developed the experience and expertise to deliver superior results.
Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and with two other locations, we serve all of North America. Connect with us today for your custom extruded plastic products and see the difference we can make for your next project.