Shrinkage in the molding sense, (with all due respect to George from The Jerry Seinfeld show), is referring to the contraction of a plastic/composite after it has been melted, shot into a mold and is in the process of cooling. The majority of the shrinkage occurs while the part is still in the mold. The […]

Today’s controversy about 3D printed guns has brought the technology further into everyday life. Plastic guns have been around for decades. You can machine pieces of solid plastic into various parts, and then assemble them into a gun capable of firing. They were made illegal many years ago. The Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 makes […]

When designing a part for injection molding, most molds end up having some kind of movement taking place. Meaning the two mold halves pull apart. If the mold cannot be a straight pull, i.e. there are undercuts or threads, some mold movement will be required to facilitate opening the mold fully. Whether slides have to […]

In our expected role as composites molding expert for our customers, we invite challenges. We stress our customers tell us what they would like their part to do, and then help them with their design to achieve that goal. In one particular case, a customer proposed their need of chemical resistance and visibility, as well […]

Graduating from college, I didn’t work an internship, they weren’t offered. They weren’t a tool utilized at my college. Also, my potential employers, all six of them that offered me positions, hadn’t chosen that route of evaluating potential hires. In the last 20 years, using interns as a recruitment tool has become more common place, […]

Custom part suppliers are a key partner in your business — they’re the ones who produce your best design work in its physical form. Based on the theory that your product is only as good as its weakest link, your chosen supply partner plays a large part in whether you have a successful product, or […]

The chosen plastic/composite for a component is one of the most common causes of failure in many products. Time after time reported field failures have to do with assemblies not lasting in their overall environment. Selection of plastic/composites and the information in the specification sheets are paramount to these shortfalls. When you add in processing […]

I look for chances to speak to students; middle school, high school and college, about careers in manufacturing. I typically leave time for questions. I also get some indications from back and forth banter in my presentations. Still, the best opportunity for insight on my message delivery is from reports and correspondence. A few teachers/instructors […]