Designing moulded plastic parts can be challenging. This is one reason why tolerances and associated strategies are often transferred from metal to plastic applications, with mixed results. In this seminar, you will learn the right approach for executing your designs.
When it comes to achieving accurate dimensions, injection-moulded plastic parts differ significantly from metallic components. The factors that can influence the dimensions and shape of the finished product are far more varied when working with plastic products. In addition to the geometry of the moulded part, the material used, the parameters of the manufacturing process and the technology and design of the tools used all have a major impact on the accuracy of the dimensions of the finished parts.
Experience has shown that when designing plastic moulded parts, the importance of fundamental design principles can be underestimated. Specific characteristics that are typical of a given material, such as a tendency to change dimensions or shape due to shrinkage, water absorption (swelling) or temperature, are often not taken into account. Another common problem is the tendency to set tolerances that are neither economically viable nor technically feasible. These unrealistic “fear tolerances” lead to excessive costs in both toolmaking and component production, without significantly improving the quality of the product.
If you would like to find out more, register for the seminar here.
