How a Product Profile Can Accelerate Your Design Process? By: Erik Foltz
The excitement at the beginning of the product design process brings lots of energy and ideas. The ability to tap into a new market, or solve a lingering problem brings many groups together that must transition this idea into a physical manifestation. Industrial engineers and marketing teams are often tasked with helping define the experience and look of the solution, but many other groups are involved with making the look a reality. These different groups will have different ideas on how to best achieve this nebulous end goal, and to further complicate the task, these groups will be joining and leaving at different stages of the part design process. Taking the time to create a defined end goal can help onboard different people quickly, and ensure the project timeline is not compromised. This defined goal can be established in a document often referred to as a Product Profile. This article will help define what a Product Profile is and what information should be included.
Hot Runner Truths, Myths and Overlooked Areas
With advances in technology, hot runners have many more uses today than they did years ago. They are used to eliminate the cold sprue and runner, which can save you money on scrap when regrind is not an option. Hot runners enable direct gating onto the part with a low-vestige tip or valve gate and eliminate the need for three-plate runner systems. They also allow you to gate on the outside edge of the part when it is centered on the mold….
Designing Successful Products with Plastics with Sustainability as a Design Consideration
By: Mark MacLean-Blevins
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2023 Plastics Industry Association Customs & Practices of the Moldmaking Industry Guide
Follow the link here: https://www.plasticsindustry.org/newsroom/plastics-industry-association-releases-updated-customs-practices-moldmaking-industry-guide/
Should You Use Re-Grind?
By Eric Larson
What is Additive Manufacturing?
Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing is a process that builds functional components by adding material, in contrast to subtractive manufacturing, which removes material. It can use various materials, including metals, plastics, and composites, and has applications in aerospace, medical, automotive, and other industries. AM offers greater design flexibility, reduced material usage, and is cost-effective for complex, low-volume production. It is a digital process that involves design, preparation, printing, and post-processing. While 3D printing is a core element of AM, AM encompasses a broader workflow. It is not just for prototyping but is increasingly used for tooling and full-scale production, enabling innovative and complex designs.
If you’re interested in reading the full article on Additive Manufacturing, visit: https://www.additivemanufacturing.media/kc/what-is-additive-manufacturing