Outline the advantages and disadvantages of Injection Moulding as a manufacturing technique.

Advantages:

-> Repeatable - the same design can be achieved every time with very good accuracy.

-> Economic - hundreds of copies of the design can be produced before the machinery needs to be maintained.

-> Intricate - intricate designs can be achieved very easily.

-> Quick - designs can be produced very quickly

-> Accurate - designs are produced to a high level of accuracy each time.

-> Little waste - there is very little flash and hence very little waste plastic.

Disadvantages:

-> Costly: the capital costs of machinery, development and maintenance are high.

-> Restricted: designs are restricted by what can be achieved with the die.

-> Materials: restricted to thermoplastic materials.