Design Development
With experience in a wide range of materials and processes Inoplas turns concepts into products that are functional & aesthetic.
Our experience with a wide range of materials and processes is invaluable in turning concepts into products which are both functional and also aesthetically pleasing.
3D modelling software (Solidworks) assists our designers to produce high quality products. Solidworks ‘Plastics’ (mouldflow type simulation) allows us to accurately predict behaviour of plastic in the mould, enabling precise and effective tool design. The data can also be used to generate prototype and pre-production models. We have worked on design projects for sectors as varied as military, agricultural, motorsport and aerospace.
When designing your part there are a number of considerations to ensure consistency of moulding, these include but are not limited to:
- Draft: This is a taper applied to the faces of the part at the point of ejection and prevents damage by scraping when the part is ejected. The draft is ideally between 0.5 degrees and 5 degrees and varies dependant on the type of plastic and surface finish.
- Tolerances: These vary depending on the moulding material so careful consideration should be given to material selection when tight tolerances are required.
- Wall Thickness: Sink marks and warpage happen when surrounding areas of a thick section cool and solidify quicker than the thicker mass causing non-uniform shrinkage, this can be avoided in part by designing the walls to a uniform thickness and to the correct ratio with adjoining walls or by minimising the thickness of the wall, ribs can be incorporated into the design to maintain strength, but rules apply here too.
- Material selection: Ensuring the correct material is vital for the success of any product. Here at Inoplas we have over 50 years of experience
With experience in a wide range of materials and processes Inoplas turns concepts into products that are functional & aesthetic. Please get in touch, we can help you with your project.