We’ve been running some long, thin-walled automotive interior parts in a TPE blend, and the post-mold warp is driving our QC team nuts. The shrinkage difference from the gate to the far edge keeps throwing the clip alignment features out of position.

I’ve noticed that a lot of larger footwell and cargo pieces seem to use heavy thermoforming instead of conventional injection molding. Is that mainly a tooling-cost choice for lower-volume runs, or does thermoforming do a better job of controlling internal stress and edge curl in semi-rigid flexible plastics?

We’ve adjusted the cooling lines and hold pressure, but the cycle time is getting hard to justify just to keep the edges flat. If anyone has worked on long, flat automotive trim parts, what tool design or material factors have made the biggest difference in keeping the edge height stable without adding a bunch of complicated ribbing?

Fellow process engineer/technician here (I’ve only recently gotten into the engineering side) I’m curious, when applying for these positions is there any certification that will clearly stand out and make it known that the individual is proficient/advanced in the field?

For context: I have 6 I believe, all from paulson.
Molding fundamentals
Technology of injection molding 1
Technology of injection molding 2
Technology of injection molding 3
Part problem and solutions
Pro-molder 1

All with a 90% or better passing grade.

I am having a really really hard time trying to find any solution to my immediate problem and am just looking for insight from the community. Are these not of sufficient accreditation? I know that plastics community is small…. Figured I’d ask idk.