Early Supplier Involvement

The greatest success and ROI occurs with early supplier involvement (ESI). The ESI process is our backbone to engineering and the development of satisfactory plastic parts as it helps us build high quality and low cost into every product.

Through proactive communication and collaboration on product specifications, performance, design, materials and more, our team thoroughly provides attention to detail during the important planning and design phases. We focus a significant amount of time to ESI with every customer; it’s the key driver to delivering a competitive advantage. Early consideration of manufacturing and design for assembly, shortens product development time, minimizes development and part costs, reduces rework and ensures a smooth transition into production for quicker time to market.

Gain a competitive advantage by partnering with Plastic Parts, Inc. on your next project.

Advanced Technology

Our broad range of computer software engineering capabilities includes tools that aid in plastic parts development through electronic design, simulation, validation, and optimization. Plastic Parts, Inc. can assist you at any level of your product design starting with anything from a rough sketch to a prototype. We maintain a strict policy of customer confidentiality at all times.

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Detailed product architecture is achieved with various high tech Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs. Utilizing SolidWorks modeling, a crude idea can be formed into a working product and streamlined for injection molding and assembly. Computer-aided design provides the ability to see how a product will appear and function, before tool construction begins. We have the ability to import files from other programs using feature generation software. 

Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)

Computer-aided engineering (CAE) is the process of solving engineering problems through the use of sophisticated, interactive software. CAE allows us to use mold-flow analysis, a method that utilizes a set of algorithms to define manufacturing processes, offering more computations than is possible by hand, especially when used with optimization systems.

After part designs have been generated, they are transmitted via DNC transmission to one of our state of-the-art CNC machining centers operated by experienced programmers to accurately transform your product design into reality.

Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)

Use of the SurfCam program   provides a seamless integration of the design and manufacturing process. The design programs streamline efforts and avoid costly mistakes translating data. 

Material Selection Assistance

Our broad knowledge of engineering materials allows us to assist you in the selection of the best resin materials for your project. From basic polypropylene to engineering-grade ABS and polycarbonate, our team works closely with our resin suppliers to help you determine the most effective material for your product, at the right price.

Our engineering-grade thermoplastics include:

• ABS

• Polycarbonate

• ABS/Polycarbonate Blends

• Nylon and High-Temperature Nylon

• TPE

• Acrylic

• Polyester / PBT / PET 

Composites of all of the above   

Top commodity-grade thermoplastic resins include:

• Polystyrene

• Polypropylene

• Polyethylene

• High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)

• High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

• High Temperature Nylon

Our experienced team assists in selecting the right material for unique requirements. We can help determine if additives or special coloring will need to be used and will recommend material characteristics such as fire retardant, UV-resistant, or temperature tolerant needs.

Solid Modeling

Our customers count on us for a thorough solid modeling process and on-time mold delivery. Use of solid modeling makes conceptualizing part and mold design a clear and concise science. It provides a link between designer and toolmaker; ensuring both are working from the same detailed project plans. For our customers, it saves time and lowers costs by eliminating trial and error.

Using the latest CAD technology and software, our experienced mold designers and engineers create solid models for plastic injection molded parts, molds, and downstream manufacturing automation. Using SolidWorks, MoldWorks, SplitWorks and other programs, all molds are designs and built to SPI standards using in-house tooling and state-of-the-art injection molds and technology. We can accept and adjust 2D and 3D model files from other software applications. 

Mold Flow Analysis

Mold flow analysis, a virtual simulation tool for plastic injection molding,  is another important step in avoiding costly mistakes. Mold flow analysis aids in refining the part and tool design based upon the predicted mold environment. It also avoids potential manufacturing defects and helps speed innovative products to market faster.

Using mold flow software in a CAD environment, allows computer-generated experimentation of a solid model to explore what happens during the injection cycle in the mold. This powerful software tool can help develop and test single- or multi-cavity runner systems prior to completion of the mold design stage.

At Plastic Parts, Inc., we are experienced at evaluating plastic injection molding design performance including predicting potential problems and interpreting risks. Our customers value this attention to detail during the critical design phase. 

Prototype & Pre-production Molds

A plastic injection molding prototype mold can be very important in the development of a new product, offering a fast, low cost tooling solution for producing parts for fit and function testing prior to production. Development of prototype molds offers the advantages of testing the molding process and molding with the production material, so any process or material-based design flaws are discovered early on, saving time and money in development. Additionally, prototypes can be created to resemble the finished product design, including color and decoration, for sales and marketing use prior to availability of production parts.

Plastic Parts, Inc. injection molding prototype mold capabilities include:

• Quick lead time tooling / rapid prototypes

• Single-cavity to multi-cavity bases

• Short-run molds

• Simple or complex geometrics

• One cavity pull up in a multi-cavity base

• Master Unit Die (MUD) Inserts

• Aluminum or hard tool steel

We offer traditional CNC machining, FDM, a rapid prototyping additive manufacturing process.  We have access to 3D printing capabilities that include:

• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

A method used in-house that extrudes material layer-by-layer to create a prototype. FDM is ideal for producing conceptual and engineering models and functional testing of prototypes.

• Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

A process whereby laser to sinter powder based materials together, layer-by-layer, forming a durable solid prototype model ideal for functional parts in a variety of applications. SLS enables production of injection molding prototypes with snap fits and living hinges.

• Stereolithography (SLA) 

Employs a UV laser and liquid UV-curable photopolymer resin to produce prototypes quickly, one layer at a time. SLA injection molding prototyping is ideal for reviewing part size, fit and function, and for development of sales and marketing prototypes.

At Plastic Parts, Inc. we work with our customers to research and develop injection molding prototypes that will make your project a success including achieving the inevitable demands of short development timelines. 

 

 

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