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The discussion is primarily about cost of the part, cost of mold and delivery time when a firm has an injection molding project. However, there is a technical standard that underpins all those questions: SPI Mold Classifications. This set of classifications ranging from Class 101 to 105 was developed by the plastics industry and serves […]

When companies explore options to reduce the price of a plastic component, they usually begin with the most evident options, for example, “Is it possible for us to use a cheaper plastic?” or “Is it possible for us to make a cheaper mold? “. Although these are valid questions, in many cases they overlook the

From Prototype to Production: When to Move from 3D Printing to Injection Molding 3D printing is usually the first technology that comes to the rescue when one is trying to develop a completely new product, besides that it is cheap, efficient and one does not have to invest in professional equipment. However, this is only

The transformation of the world to renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced industrial equipment is driving the rapid evolution of battery technology. High-performance plastic parts are the core of every battery system, be it for a vehicle, a computer, or a large power grid. As battery systems handle very high energy levels, the plastic parts

Plastic component designers and engineers usually get caught up primarily by plastic part geometry, material science and fundamental manufacturability, the most overlooked aspect of plastic part design for reducing cost and enhancing performance is assembly method. Design for Assembly (DFA), usually combined with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) to constitute the comprehensive practice of DFMA, is

Automation is frequently hailed as the silver bullet for efficiency in the evolving world of plastics manufacturing. The development of robotic part removal processes and entirely self-operating production cells with no lights on is testament to the move towards “smarter” factories. Nevertheless, automation is not always synonymous with cost reduction. It is capable of delivering

To many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), the decision to manufacture a plastic component starts with a seemingly straightforward question: “Could you provide a price for this part?” But a professional injection molding quote is actually a figurative tapestry of features that together reveal the overall character of the piece and the economic impact of the

For many Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), deciding where to buy plastic parts is a big strategic decision. In the past, the story was quite straightforward: get the cheapest price by going overseas. But as global markets have become unstable and consumers have been demanding quicker delivery, the “clear” decision is now far less simple. From

Selecting the right material is amongst the most important decisions in the injection molding process, and also one of the most ignored. For Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) the plastic resin selected for a project is more than just defining the tactile aspect of the end product. It is a key factor that will influence the

In the high-stakes world of manufacturing, lead time is the ultimate currency. Whether you are unveiling a new product, replacing a supplier who failed to meet your expectations, or changing your strategy to satisfy a sudden increase in market demand, hardly any delay in plastic manufacturing can be kept from the rest of the supply