Designing of a product is an integral aspect in the Plastics industry. There are a variety of ways through which plastics can be designed and this is usually decided before the commencement of the manufacturing process. One of the popular methods is the injection molding process
Injection molding process has been the most easiest, convenient and affordable method of all the designing process. It is necessary that the designing team has clear idea what the company is manufacturing as the final product
However, there are a range of factors which impact the plastic parts design. The factors which impact the plastic part design shall be discussed in this article.
1. Temperature:
Temperature is first among the various factors which impact the plastic part design. When the temperature is high, products become moldable and when the temperature is lower, the product becomes stiff.
Different types of plastics have different melting points. Such as Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) plastics can melt at temperature which is as low as 165º F. At lower temperatures, Impact resistance diminishes
2. Appearance:
Appearance also plays a very important when designing the plastic parts design. Aesthetic requirements can involve many material and part-design issues and even color plays a major role as well.
Adding colorant to a polymer while part manufacturing or altering from one color to another also affects designing in many ways.
3. Product Wall Thickness:
Product wall thickness is also one of the key factors which impact the plastic part design. Thicker walls give more strength to the plastic product. In fact, there is also a higher likelihood that the plastic product may suffer from deformation as the cooling process takes longer and there shall be more shrinkage.
Therefore, the product wall thickness is also vital in the plastic part designing.
4. Life Expectancy:
Yes, life expectancy also plays a very major role. Many functional parts have to meet particular life-cycle expectations. And here life expectancy may involve time duration, like years of outdoor exposure, time at a specific set of conditions like hours in boiling water, repetitions of an applied load or condition.
Hence, it is always better to determine a reasonable life expectancy while designing the plastic parts.
5. Cost:
Cost plays a major role in every step in the manufacturing process. Plastic-part cost can be particularly important if molded part covers all or majority of the cost of the final product.
One should be very careful when considering total system cost and not just part and material cost. Therefore, cost is also amongst the various factors which impact the plastic part design.
6. Weather Resistance:
Temperature, moisture, and UV sun exposure are few aspects which affect plastic parts’ properties and as well as appearance. Usually, the end-use of a product decides the type of weather resistance is required.
