# 1 - Design Check List
The aim of new product development or further development of an existing product is to achieve a technically good design that can be produced at an economic cost. The main design tasks involved here are material selection, choice of a suitable production process, strength calculation and moulding design. Design check list - read full article.
# 2 - Comparison of Materials - Plastic is Not Metal
Many plastic designs still continue to be derived from “metal parts.” In the series commencing here, the authors set out to describe the points that require attention when designing in plastics rather than traditional materials. Read full article on comparison of materials.
# 3 - Cost-Saving Designs - Price as a Design Factor
The designer of a plastics component bears a large part of the responsibility for its final cost. His decisions essentially predetermine the costs of production, mould-making and assembly. Correction or optimization at a later stage is generally costly or impracticable. Read full article on cost saving designs.
# 4 - Gate Positioning - Correct Gate Location
Besides causing processing problems, the wrong choice of the type of gating system and gate location can have a considerable effect on the quality of a moulded part. Design departments should, therefore, not underestimate the importance of gate location. Read full article on correct gate location.
# 5 - General Assembly Technology – The Best Assembly Techniques - Part I
Snap-fit, press-fit and threaded assemblies are simple techniques that allow designers to exploit great potential production savings through simple, rapid assembly of components. Read full article on assembly techniques.
# 6 - Material Selection - The Right Choice
There is no such thing as a bad material — just the wrong material for a particular application. It is therefore essential for designers to know the properties of the competing materials inside out and to test them all carefully in relation to the factors affecting the injection moulded part. Read full article on material selection.
# 7 - Ribbing - Optimum Rib Design
To overcome the problems that can arise with thick walls, ribs are an effective means of increasing rigidity while allowing wall thickness to be reduced. Read full article on rib design.
# 8 - Tolerances - Hidden Cost Factors
Injection mouldings cannot be produced to the same tolerances as machined parts. Although most people are aware of this, tolerances are continually being specified that cannot be attained and/or make cost-efficient production impossible. Read full article on tolerances.
# 9 - Wall Thickness - As Much as Necessary – As Little as Possible
In designing components made from engineering plastics, experience has shown that certain design points arise time and again, and can be reduced to simple design guidelines. One such point is wall thickness design, which has an important influence on component quality. Read full article on wall thickness.
# 10 - Welding Technology - The Best Assembly Techniques – Part II
In addition to the assembly techniques described in article 7 of this series, many different welding methods can be used to join plastic parts. To ensure low-cost, functionally efficient designs, it is necessary to select a suitable welding method and give careful thought to the required joint geometry at an early stage in the design process. Read full article on best assembly techniques.
