How Snap Beads / Pop Beads are made

Hi guys,

Do any of you know how these products are made? I've done some research and found that they can be injection molded but how do you injection mold the cavity and then release the part from the mold?

Thanks for help.

[IMG]http://www.engineersedge.com/engineering-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1950&stc=1[/IMG][IMG]http://www.engineersedge.com/engineering-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1951&stc=1[/IMG]

They are removed from the injection mold by separating the two mold tools and then actuating the ejector pins in the mold cavity.

The process that you are interested in is called "blow molding". That is how hollow plastic parts are manufactured from your bead, to bottles and large items like fuel tanks in cars.