It's just a hunk of "plastic" to most people.  But talk to the folks who work the industry and they will tell you what Dupont Delrin™ really is.  They will also tell you that transforming this little hunk "plastic" into a usable product takes more than just carving it out like a pumpkin.

Delrin is the trade name of a polymer manufactured by Dupont. It is a high strength product that is replacing steel components in many of today’s
automobiles. Delrin is highly regarded for its high strength, great wear resistance and self lubricating
properties. A product made from Delrin is made to last.

Let's take a look at some of the technology that goes into making this "simple little hunk of plastic".

First you need a mold

A mold is only used for one specific product.  Once the production run is made it is stored until needed again.  It can not be used to manufacture any other product.

This mold is made specifically for the rockshaft bushings. It measures approximately 12"x12"x14" and weighs over 80 pounds. Delrin is heated to over 170 degrees and injected into the mold. The inside consists of chambers for liquid Delrin to pass through to get to the center which has been machined to the shape of each piece of the rockshaft bushing.

The springs and rods are part of the ejection process. As each piece is formed the mold is opened and the springs and rods push the finished bushing out.  The mold is then closed and another shot of Delrin is pumped into it. It requires 100 tons of pressure to hold the mold closed to prevent the Delrin from leaking as it is injected into the mold. For as big as this mold is, it only produces one set of bushings per cycle.

This is a mold injection machine. The mold is set up inside the machine.