This project involves designing and building a pneumatic injection molding machine from the ground up, using a 12-ton H-frame shop press as the structural foundation. The machine bridges the gap between hobbyist 3D printing and professional injection molding, enabling small-batch production of plastic parts in HDPE and polypropylene at a fraction of commercial equipment costs.
The system combines an SC80 double-acting pneumatic cylinder for injection force, PID-controlled band heaters for precise temperature management, and interchangeable CNC-machined aluminum mold plates. Six specialized Claude Code agents track machine build progress, inventory, process parameters, quality metrics, and production coordination.