The injection molding process is widely used in large volume production as it produces comparatively low scrap production and has high repeatability. The versatility of the injection molding process demands much broader design considerations. Most of the design considerations will be made on the mould after setting out the product requirements. Some of the factors [...]
With the proportion of free-form surfaces increasing and the precision requirements for mold processing rising, manufacturing molds of high quality and securing the stability and quality during production has become vital. 3D scanning technologies are a game changer in these processes. Mold Design with 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering Reverse engineering aims to reproduce an [...]
Injection molders quote or estimate a job based on six primary factors: part weight, material cost, machine size, cycle time, labor requirements and packaging. The material and packaging costs are relatively easy to obtain from suppliers, which makes them fixed values—not estimates. Thanks to solid modeling software programs, part weight is also a fixed value, [...]
It is no secret that being a mold builder today isn’t like it used to be. Challenges, including the growing cost of doing business, increased low-cost country competition and the seemingly never-ending talent gap, require businesses to focus on driving efficiency throughout their organization to remain competitive. As a result, many mold shops are turning [...]
As a decision-maker in the manufacturing sector, you are familiar with (if not a devotee of) Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence and similar continuous improvement approaches. One of the essential takeaways from continuous improvement technologies is that you need meaningful data to make decisions. For example, suppose you are like most mold manufacturers and rely [...]
Every company is based on a foundation of knowledge. That knowledge is often taught from a senior mold builder to a junior mold builder. Sadly, that knowledge can be lost over time. Here we’ll focus on taking a real-world look at capturing and reusing company know-how. By using software automation, mold builders can instill company [...]
While injection molding simulation is a common tool used by molders and toolmakers to help evaluate their mold design, it is often implemented after the plastic part design has been finalized and a tool design has been developed. we will highlight how proactively using injection molding simulation (Moldflow®) can help yield information that allows for [...]
Mold design is one of the most complex aspects of product design. Not only are the part geometries challenging, but the timeline to get jobs quoted and manufactured are tight. OEM design companies sending designs to contract mold designers is typically the last stage of the design cycle, and “tooling up” can be some of [...]
Industrial designers working on public transport interiors were historically held back with some unique design constraints. The brief usually includes making sure the part fits into the available space, keeping it functional but lightweight, and only then start considering the aesthetics. As manufacturers produce lower volumes of these parts, injection molding isn’t really an option [...]
Traditionally drawings have been an indispensable and unambiguous definition of the finished product—a vital part of the service agreement between the customer and those responsible for tooling and inspection. Unfortunately, for many shops, 3D models are still only a supplement to the official authority of the drawing. However, a growing number of companies involved in [...]