High transparency, strong appearance
Suitable for transparent housings, window panels, and display structural components; It is more friendly to products that "have visible internal structures."
Material Database
Acrylic (PMMA)
Acrylic (PMMA)(acrylic/acrylic) is commonly used in injection molding for transparent exterior parts, window panels, lampshades, and light-guiding parts. Its typical advantages are high transparency, good surface texture, and stable appearance. When you focus more on appearance and transparency and want better batch consistency through injection molding, Acrylic (PMMA) is a commonly used and mature choice.
Material description
Acrylic (PMMA)(acrylic/acrylic) is commonly used in injection molding for transparent exterior parts, window panels, lampshades, and light-guiding parts. Its typical advantages are high transparency, good surface texture, and stable appearance. When you focus more on appearance and transparency and want better batch consistency through injection molding, Acrylic (PMMA) is a commonly used and mature choice.
Order recommendation: For transparent/semi-transparent appearance parts, please specify in the remarks the light transmission requirements, appearance surface definition (Side A), and acceptable defect standards; Transparent parts are more sensitive to weld marks, gate marks, flow marks, and scratches; it is recommended to provide reference drawings or sample standards; Please attach 2D (PDF/DWG) and indicate tolerances for key assembly dimensions.
Injection MoldingAcrylic (PMMA)(Acrylic)
Material compatibility assessment
Acrylic (PMMA)(acrylic/acrylic) is commonly used in injection molding for transparent exterior parts, window panels, lampshades, and light-guiding parts. Its typical advantages are high transparency, good surface texture, and stable appearance. When you focus more on appearance and transparency and want better batch consistency through injection molding, Acrylic (PMMA) is a commonly used and mature choice.
More suitable (recommended)
Transparent/semi-transparent appearance parts: windows, transparent covers, face shields, lampshades, light guides; Clear appearance standards: requires stable surface texture and batch consistency; Signage requirements: panel silkscreen, laser engraving number, QR code, etc
Not recommended for direct use (suggest changing materials/processes)
High impact/strong drop resistance: Greater toughness needs can be assessed with Polycarbonate (PC) or modified materials; Long-term high-temperature environments: It is recommended to evaluate heat-resistant materials based on actual temperature and operating conditions; Extremely sensitive to weld marks and structurally complex: priority should be given to DFM and gate/vent scheme evaluation
Key parameter references
Order recommendation: For transparent/semi-transparent appearance parts, please specify in the remarks the light transmission requirements, appearance surface definition (Side A), and acceptable defect standards; Transparent parts are more sensitive to weld marks, gate marks, flow marks, and scratches; it is recommended to provide reference drawings or sample standards; Please attach 2D (PDF/DWG) and indicate tolerances for key assembly dimensions.
| Process | Injection Molding |
|---|---|
| Materials | Acrylic (PMMA)(Acrylic / Acrylic) |
| Precision | ± 0.10–0.20 mm (depending on size range/mold/structure; It is recommended to mark tolerances for key dimensions and perform DFM confirmation) |
| Minimum Wall Thickness | ≥ 1.0 mm (it is recommended to make the wall thickness as uniform as possible; For transparent exterior parts, it is especially recommended to avoid sudden changes in thickness) |
| Focus on appearance | Weld marks, gate marks, flow marks, and scratches are more noticeable for transparent parts; It is recommended to define the allowable area between the A side and the gate |
| Release angle | Recommended 1°–2°; For transparent high-gloss surfaces, it's recommended to be more conservative to avoid scratches and smudging |
| Rounded corners and transitions | Sharp corners are prone to stress concentration and whitening; It is recommended to add rounded corners and smooth transitions |
| Post-Processing | Sanding, silk screening, laser engraving, polishing (transparent edges) |
| Typical delivery time | Related to structure, quantity, mold, and post-processing; After uploading the documents, specify the delivery date and expedited options |
Typical application scenarios
High transparency, strong appearance; Good surface quality and stable texture; Suitable for screen printing and labeling; Transparent edges can be optimized
High transparency, strong appearance
Suitable for transparent housings, window panels, and display structural components; It is more friendly to products that "have visible internal structures."
Good surface quality and stable texture
Injection molding achieves better batch consistency; Suitable for products with clear appearance standards and small-batch mass production.
Suitable for silkscreen printing and labeling
Clear marking can be achieved on transparent substrates; Suitable for applications such as markings, logos, panel graphics, and more.
Design and risk review
Priority definition of transparent appearance surfaces (A surface): Please mark/note which surfaces must be "clean." We will optimize the plan based on parting lines, gates, and ejection positions. Wall thickness should be as uniform as possible: transparent parts are more sensitive to shrinkage, ripples, and stress whitening; To avoid sudden thickness changes, hollowing out or rib positions may be used if necessary to replace thickening. Gate and weld mark management: The more complex the structure, the easier it is to see weld marks; It is recommended to arrange gates in the appearance permitted area and to provide ventilation and flow paths...
Transparent appearance surfaces (Side A) are given priority definition
- Priority definition of transparent appearance surfaces (A surface): Please mark/note which surfaces must be "clean." We will optimize the solution based on parting lines, gates, and ejection positions.
- Wall thickness should be as uniform as possible: transparent parts are more sensitive to shrinkage, ripples, and stress whitening; To avoid sudden thickness changes, hollowed/ribbed positions may be used instead of thickening if necessary.
- Gate and weld mark management: The more complex the structure, the easier it is to see weld marks; It is recommended to arrange gates in the appearance allowance area and leave space for exhaust and flow paths.
- Release Angle and Surface Protection: For the appearance surface, a more conservative release angle is recommended; Avoid strain and scar marks caused by deep cavity straight walls.
- Turning sharp angles into rounded corners: Sharp corners tend to cause stress concentration and whitening; it is recommended to add rounded corners and transitions to improve strength and appearance stability.
Transparent appearance surfaces (Side A) are given priority definition
Please annotate/note which surfaces must be "clean." We will optimize the solution by combining the parting line, gate, and ejection position.
Try to make the wall thickness as uniform as possible
Transparent parts are more sensitive to shrinkage, ripples, and stress whitening; To avoid sudden thickness changes, hollowed/ribbed positions may be used instead of thickening if necessary.
Gate and weld mark management
The more complex the structure, the more likely it is to have weld marks; It is recommended to arrange gates in the appearance allowance area and leave space for exhaust and flow paths.
Release angle and surface protection
For the appearance, a more conservative demolding angle is recommended; Avoid strain and scar marks caused by deep cavity straight walls.
Post-processing and assembly precautions
polishing; Screen printing; Laser carving; Polishing (transparent edge)
Post-processing and assembly precautions
Order recommendation: For transparent/semi-transparent appearance parts, please specify in the remarks the light transmission requirements, appearance surface definition (Side A), and acceptable defect standards; Transparent parts are more sensitive to weld marks, gate marks, flow marks, and scratches; it is recommended to provide reference drawings or sample standards; Please attach 2D (PDF/DWG) and indicate tolerances for key assembly dimensions.
Polishing
Used to remove burrs, minor scratches, and local defects from parting lines; For transparent parts, it is recommended to control the direction and grade of the polishing texture on the appearance surface.
Screen printing
Suitable for logos, labels, scales, and functional graphics; It is recommended to provide vector files with clear requirements for position, dimensions, and colors.
Laser carving
Suitable for serial numbers, QR codes, and wear-resistant labels; The laser engraving effect of transparent parts depends on contrast and grade/surface condition, so you can first make a sample to confirm.
Polishing (transparent edge)
Used to enhance the light transmission and appearance of transparent edges, reducing the foggy feeling after trimming and chamfering; Suitable for window edges, light guide edges, and decorative edges.
Structure and usage boundaries
Priority definition of transparent appearance surfaces (A surface): Please mark/note which surfaces must be "clean." We will optimize the plan based on parting lines, gates, and ejection positions. Wall thickness should be as uniform as possible: transparent parts are more sensitive to shrinkage, ripples, and stress whitening; To avoid sudden thickness changes, hollowing out or rib positions may be used if necessary to replace thickening. Gate and weld mark management: The more complex the structure, the easier it is to see weld marks; It is recommended to arrange gates in the appearance permitted area and to provide ventilation and flow paths...
Transparent appearance surfaces (Side A) are given priority definition
Transparent appearance surfaces (Side A) are given priority definitionPlease annotate/note which surfaces must be "clean." We will optimize the solution by combining the parting line, gate, and ejection position.
Try to make the wall thickness as uniform as possible
Try to make the wall thickness as uniform as possibleTransparent parts are more sensitive to shrinkage, ripples, and stress whitening; To avoid sudden thickness changes, hollowed/ribbed positions may be used instead of thickening if necessary.
Gate and weld mark management
Gate and weld mark managementThe more complex the structure, the more likely it is to have weld marks; It is recommended to arrange gates in the appearance allowance area and leave space for exhaust and flow paths.
Alternative material selection and final judgment
High impact/strong drop resistance: Greater toughness needs can be assessed with Polycarbonate (PC) or modified materials; Long-term high-temperature environments: It is recommended to evaluate heat-resistant materials based on actual temperature and operating conditions; Extremely sensitive to weld marks and structurally complex: priority should be given to DFM and gate/vent scheme evaluation; Ultra-small batch samples without mold opening: can be verified by CNC/3D printing before injection molding
Not recommended for direct use (suggest changing materials/processes)
High impact/strong drop resistance: Greater toughness needs can be assessed with Polycarbonate (PC) or modified materials; Long-term high-temperature environments: It is recommended to evaluate heat-resistant materials based on actual temperature and operating conditions; Extremely sensitive to weld marks and structurally complex: priority should be given to DFM and gate/vent scheme evaluation; Ultra-small batch samples without mold opening: can be verified by CNC/3D printing before injection molding
More suitable (recommended)
Order recommendation: For transparent/semi-transparent appearance parts, please specify in the remarks the light transmission requirements, appearance surface definition (Side A), and acceptable defect standards; Transparent parts are more sensitive to weld marks, gate marks, flow marks, and scratches; it is recommended to provide reference drawings or sample standards; Please attach 2D (PDF/DWG) and indicate tolerances for key assembly dimensions.
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