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Home Xometry Community Manufacturing How to ensure color uniformity in plastic injection?

How to ensure color uniformity in plastic injection?

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Hello everyone, I am currently working on a mass production project through plastic injection. And I wonder how I can guarantee the correct color for all the pieces, knowing they will be manufactured in several lots. Do you have experiences and advice to ensure that the chosen color is the same every time? The color in question is RAL 5012 light blue. Thank you in advance for your help!

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Solved by gregory.demarque

Colorimetry is defined by a Delta E spectrum (combination of Delta L, A, B)... that is, acceptable deviations on the scales of primary colors and light.

Once the acceptable tolerance has been defined with the supplier, it is appropriate to ask for a colorimetry control for each production batch.

If production volumes allow it, a mass-dyed material is recommended to ensure a lasting tint. For lower volumes, a coloring at the base of the machine is preferred. The supplier must be equipped with dosers (weight or volume), to ensure the repeatability of the process. Beware, some materials are more difficult to dye than others! (ASA for example).

    • Hello everyone, I am currently working on a mass production project through plastic injection. And I wonder how I can guarantee the correct color for all the pieces, knowing they will be manufactured in several lots. Do you have experiences and advice to ensure that the chosen color is the same every time? The color in question is RAL 5012 light blue. Thank you in advance for your help!
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    • j
      I strongly recommend you to perform color stability tests on representative samples from each production batch. This will allow you to quickly detect any color deviation from the RAL 5012 reference and take the necessary corrective measures.
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    • Senior Content Manager
      The choice of material based on its characteristics is crucial, as not all react the same way to dyes. But the best solution is always to send a sample of the desired color to the supplier, at least for the first batch. And ideally, to keep the same supplier throughout production to ensure the uniformity of the parts and their color. I also invite you to read this article on the subject https://xometry.pro/fr/articles/moulage-injection-couleur/
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    • g

      Colorimetry is defined by a Delta E spectrum (combination of Delta L, A, B)… that is, acceptable deviations on the scales of primary colors and light.

      Once the acceptable tolerance has been defined with the supplier, it is appropriate to ask for a colorimetry control for each production batch.

      If production volumes allow it, a mass-dyed material is recommended to ensure a lasting tint. For lower volumes, a coloring at the base of the machine is preferred. The supplier must be equipped with dosers (weight or volume), to ensure the repeatability of the process. Beware, some materials are more difficult to dye than others! (ASA for example).

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      • gregory.demarque

        Thank you Gregory for these detailed informations. So, what are the easiest materials to dye and therefore to prioritize?

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    • g

      in ABS, no problem.

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    • g
      Electron2.0

      The material is not preferred based on its color, but based on the specification of the finished product…

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    • gregory.demarque

      I agree with you on this point and my question lacked context… I want to make cases in ABS, but I had feedback from a colleague who is struggling to get the desired color for his electronic case. So since you were talking about materials that are harder to dye than others, I thought you might have some recommendations at this level

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