Molding Abs Plastic At Home

Home plastic injection molding with an epoxy mold.

Molding abs plastic at home.

It is one of the most common plastics used in automotive trim pieces because it is strong inexpensive and can be easily molded into virtually any shape. Then i was able to make copies of that item using a home plastic injection molding machine this process should work for many different types of items or models. When you re printing lots of abs supports rafts brim etc go to waste without being able to reuse them. This instructable shows how to easily turn abs waste in molded objects without just throwing it away and litter the planet even more.

Here s an exemple of what can be accomplished with this method. If you want to lay it on the form in the oven it might be wise to preheat the form first then lay the abs on it then put it back in for time enough to heat the plastic. Abs stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and is a polymer which is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals or physical damage. Cast your mold with plastic resin wait for it to cure and then remove the mold to reveal your creation.

I made an epoxy mold of an existing plastic item. Note that the original item must hav. Use your fingers and firm pressure to press into any corners fold bends etc. Pull the plastic out and quickly press onto or into the mold that s ready.

You may purchase a mold or create your own custom molds out of reusable molding materials silicone and or plaster. If you can t easily raise a corner of the plastic it s too hot. Continue to hold and press into shape until it begins to harden. Bf5man writes a useful trick to repair or to do a mockup of a plastic part is to disolve abs shavings in acetone it forms a glue that can be used to repair plastic stuff or if thicker can be used to mold things.

While molding plastic parts at home you should give a paint coat to the master part in case it has porous surface or else your mold surface won t be smooth. If the form is cool that will make it diffucult to pull the plastic into the details of the form. But today materials are readily available to produce plastic parts out of your own home for a relatively small financial investment.