In this rule of thumb post, we discuss the Polymer
Product Pentagram used as an overarching framework for injection moulded
plastic products.
There are five factors, summarized as the Polymer Product
Pentagram, which influence the outcome in having best in class injection
moulded parts [1]:
1. Part design: polymer parts have an anisotropic behavior
compared to isotropic metal parts. This needs to be considered in the part
design, especially for injection moulded parts and specific design support
during this phase.
2. Material selection: it is important to collect all the application
requirements and key performance indicators. Furthermore, once the base design
of the part is done, material selection can start. Among the first steps is the
translation of the application requirements into material properties. There are
frameworks which can support you with the systematic polymer materialselection.
3. Mould
design and construction: in this phase, mould design takes place. The mould
must be able to withstand the moulding process (injection pressures) and can
handle the selected polymer. This is in particular important when moulding of
high performance polymers, such as PPS which need a minimum of 135°C tool
temperature, is done.
4. Moulding
machine selection: after completing the mould design, selecting the injection
moulding machine should be done. This step can be done in parallel to the mould
design too (depending on the data available).
5. Moulding
process: after we have obtained the first parts which passed the quality check,
optimization of the process can start. It is the last step and often neglected,
however, it allows making the whole production more efficient and economically
robust.
Thanks for reading and
#findoutaboutplastics
Greetings,
Herwig
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Literature:
[1] Distinctive Plastics
Inc.: The 5 critical factors to produce
a successful injection moulded product, 2011,
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