What is the main manufacturing process used for producing plastic trays?

The production of plastic trays is primarily associated with the injection moulding process. This method involves injecting molten plastic into a mold, which cools and solidifies to form the desired shape. Injection moulding is particularly effective for creating intricate designs and achieving high precision in the final product. The efficiency of this method allows for mass production, making it ideal for items like plastic trays which are produced in large quantities.

Compression moulding, on the other hand, involves placing a pre-measured amount of plastic material into a heated mold cavity. The process utilizes heat and pressure to shape the material. While effective for some products, it is typically not the primary choice for making plastic trays due to the complexity and finer details often needed in tray design.

Blow moulding is usually employed for hollow objects such as bottles and containers, where air pressure is used to expand soft plastic into the form of a mold. This technique is not suitable for rigid trays, which need the structural attributes provided by injection moulding.

Thermoforming involves heating a plastic sheet until it's pliable and then forming it over a mold. This method is also popular for producing trays, but it typically offers less precision compared to injection moulding and might be better suited for simpler designs.

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