Disadvantage of the GAIM process
All processes have their disadvantages, but those of GAIM and GAMIC ( Gas-assisted injection molding with internal-water cooling) appear relatively minor compared with their significant advantages.
1. Large hollow sections
GAIM is not well suited for thin-walled hollow parts such as bottles or tanks. However, the thin-wall part has also tried out for some specific applications.
2. Vent hole
The gas must be vented prior to opening the mold, leaving a hole somewhere on the part. Normally this can be placed in a non-visible location, but if appearance or function ia affected or secondary operations are required, it may be necessary to seal the hole.
3. Mold temperature control
Since wall thickness along the gas flow channel is a function of cooling rate, consistent wall thickness requires precise mold temperature control.
4 Surface blush
The gas channel may leave surface blush, with arises from differences in surface gloss levels. The tendency for blush is a function of processing conditions and types of plastics.
5. Unique design
The unique part design and mold design required is most cases to fully utilize that GAIM might to be considered by some to be a disadvantages. The gas part design takes a relatively longer time than with the conventional injection molding process.
6. Extra cost of controller
In order to control the gas injection, the process requires extra equipment. Gas-assisited injection molding with internal cooling requires a system for controlling the gas and the water, and expense not required with traditional injection molding process.