Injection-moldable aerator mixing rod and method of manufacturing thereof

A method of manufacturing an aerator mixing rod using injection molding, the method comprising:

• arranging a plurality of mold parts into a mold assembly structure, the mold assembly structure defining a mold cavity shaped to form the aerator mixing rod, such that the aerator mixing rod includes
• a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an outer surface extending between the first and second ends, the body defining a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, and
• a plurality of teeth extending radially outward from the outer surface of the body. the plurality of teeth including a first row of teeth and a second row of teeth spaced from the first row of teeth along the longitudinal axis, wherein a first passageway is formed between adjacent teeth of the first row of teeth, and a second passageway is formed between adjacent teeth of the second row of teeth, wherein the first passageway is at least partially misaligned with the second passageway in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the first passageway and the second passageway are configured to at least partially form a tortuous path for fluid flowing along the outer surface of the body;
• heating an injection moldable material;
• injecting the injection moldable material into the mold assembly structure to form the aerator mixing rod;
• and
• after a cooling period, removing the aerator mixing rod from the mold assembly structure by separating the plurality of mold parts from the aerator mixing rod,
• wherein arranging the plurality of mold parts into the mold assembly structure includes selecting between a plurality of different mold release configurations in order to prevent an undercut,
• wherein at least one of the mold release configurations is a symmetrical configuration including a plurality of part lines intersecting at a center of the mold cavity, and
• wherein separating the plurality of mold parts includes separating the mold parts along the part lines.