You may not realize it, but many of the products you purchase at retail stores or online aren’t made by the brands you cherish. Many of the largest companies only focus on their sales, marketing, and advertising. That means someone else does the manufacturing and assembly for them. Those selected partners are called contract manufacturers,…
Early on in manufacturing, it was common to produce an injection mold for every single component required for a plastic assembly. Products were designed without the thought of crossover, and the idea of using the same component in multiple products wasn’t commonplace. Over time, and especially in the current global production environment, it’s easy to…
Having the next big idea is just the beginning of the development cycle. A napkin doodle, a 3D model rendering, or just some great sketches can get the juices flowing, but you have to have a plan to get from that excitement to the market. Cost is always a factor in development, whether that pertains…
When you think of construction, the first thing you may think of metal or wood. Metal for girders, earth movers, bulldozers, and equipment. Wood still dominates the housing market for siding, wall construction, and trim. Plastic may not be your first thought when the subject of construction comes up. Over the last decade, plastic has…
The big trade shows of the year are in the planning stages and will be here this year before you know it. CES (Consumer Electronics Show), SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturer Association), and PRI (Performance Racing Industry) are just a handful of the big trade shows held every year to display your next new product. The…
Technology has been a huge benefit to product development since the turn of the century. The time for each development cycle has been reduced thanks in part to software and new equipment, but reduced time does not mean any step in the complete process can be overlooked. One of the key steps in the development…
The medical device industry is striving to reduce cost while producing exceptional products that benefit the end customer. Over the last decade the development of engineered resins have opened doors to new opportunities for plastic injection molding. Plastics are becoming a dominant material choice for manufacturers supporting the medical industry. Plastic injection molding has…
Not long ago the bells were ringing and the champagne was flowing to ring in the New Year. We’re already days into 2020, and predictions for the year are already being forecasted. We’ve been in the plastic injection molding business for many years, and we’ve seen trends come and go. Not all innovative ideas work…
Injection molding forces molten plastic into a closed cavity in order to fill the cavity completely. The entrance into the cavity is called a ‘gate’. The gate seems like it should be a pretty easy decision on what shape and size to be, but choosing the wrong gate for your part can hinder production, affect…
In an era of online training, and the ability to get an education without leaving your home, one could question if hands-on training is still a valid course to gain experience and knowledge. For one person, the ability to share knowledge and give education to the next generations, is a daily goal. That one person…