It’s paramount to achieve the perfect product in an injection molding process, but it’s equally necessary to safeguard the machines and the data involved in the process.
Let’s not forget that even the Industrial Control Systems Security Market is expected to grow from USD 18 billion in 2024 to USD 25.12 billion by 2029 (Source: Mordor Intelligence, 2024), which speaks volumes about the growing concern about the security of manufacturing processes.
With this perspective, in this blog, we will focus on how secure systems help improve safety, efficiency, and overall performance during injection molding processes.
Let’s understand the ways how you can safeguard and improve your operations in the most practical manner.
Better Precision
Secure systems enhance the precision of small part manufacturers by eliminating distortion of machine setting data and design data.
In case, these data are modified or lost, it can impact the accuracy of the molding process.
For instance, if one accidentally makes changes in the machine setting, it might, at times, shift portions of the end products which can cause parts to be molded incorrectly.
Taking this into consideration, these systems secure the data and ensure it stays on course; that is, each part is made as it was intended and specifications complied with.
Take an insight into the graph below, which demonstrates the global injection molded plastics market in 2024 and highlights its growth.
Better Product Quality
This is the question that arises from many – how come security systems for small plastic parts manufacturers can assist in meeting the desired quality of the products?
For example, if a hacker modifies MEC machine settings, the parts may no longer conform to the specified tolerances and result in poor quality.
Here, the security system eliminates the risks of human errors and improves production efficiency.
In addition, it also alerts supervisors if there is a possibility of a problem such as miscalibration which can alter the specifications of the components and result in poor quality parts being produced.
Better Operational Safety
Security systems enhance safeoperations by restricting the access of unauthorized persons to the machines and production data that is critical.
If for example, a malicious actor were to take over a machine, they would probably wreck it and therefore there is a threat to workers and equipment.
In such a situation, this security approach protects against such threats and guarantees the proper functioning of machines and the safety of employees.
These systems too supervise conditions of machines and inform when there is a risk of safety so as to avert accidents instead of reacting to them.
Do You Know? American inventor John Wesely Hyatt along with his brother Isaiah patented one of the first injection molding machines in 1872.
Better Data Security
As more and more factories have started depending on digital systems, it is increasingly necessary to ward off cyber threats.
And that is why, data security in the process of injection molding cannot be overemphasized.
For manufacturers of small plastic parts, secure systems ensure the retention of machine configuration, part design, and production data.
For example, if someone maliciously changes the design data, it could ruin the production process.
But with security systems in place, concerns such as these can be avoided and sensitive data keeps being encrypted which keeps all manufacturers operating smoothly without data loss due to corruption.
This upholds the credibility of the entire production practice and hence a reliable and consistent end result.
Regulation compliance
The importance of security systems in aiding injection molding companies in regulatory compliance is unquestionable.
Such systems restrict access to critical production information so that no illicit alterations are carried out.
For example, they are able to record who modified which machine settings and what was altered which is a succinct record for the audit trail.
This assists manufacturers in achieving some industrial benchmarks in terms of safety and quality as well as data handling.
By making sure that production data and machine parameters have been properly set and saved, security systems help minimize instances of non-compliance.
Hence, this way they protect businesses from penalties and ensure smooth workflow; in general, compliance with these systems facilitates regulatory compliance.
One More Amazing Fact!! Did you know? The injection molding process can work with nearly 100,000 different types of plastics and materials!
In Conclusion!!
Concluding remarks, the security systems are the backbone of every injection molding process.
They not only protect precious information but also assist in optimizing production processes and avoiding unnecessary delays.
As manufacturing processes become more automated, the need for increased security will remain irrefutable.
Also, it will make it possible for manufacturers to protect their processes, mitigate risks, and remain competitive in the elusive environment alongside the injection molding industry by installing secure systems.
Gaurav Rathore
