Plastic Product Manufacturing – The Importance of Thermoplastic Materials

When it comes to plastic prototype development or plastic product manufacturing, it is useful to understand which material to use. Typically, there are two types of plastic materials: thermoplastic and thermosetting resin.

Thermoplastic materials are those that can be melted and cured (hardening the polymer material) again and again. There is, of course, a limit to the number of times such melting and curing processes can be repeated, depending on the type of thermoplastic material. The point, however, is that such thermoplastic materials can be melted a number of times without degrading the material.

Thermosetting materials, on the other hand, are those that can be melted and shaped only once. After a thermosetting material is cured, trying to melt it again would cause the material to burn, rather than melt. Think of a 2-part epoxy to understand a thermosetting material. Before mixing with the hardener, the epoxy resin is in the liquid state. Once the resin is mixed and dried, it is not possible to heat and melt it again.

When it comes to plastic injection molding, it is easy to misjudge the importance of thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. By the way, both thermoplastic and thermosetting materials can be injection molded. The major difference, when using a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, applies after the injection molding cycle when the molded plastic solidifies. During the molding process, plastic is heated and injected into a metal mold. To get to the cavity of the metal mold, however, the molten plastic first needs to pass through an array of entry points and tunnels known as sprues, runners, and gates. The plastic cools within the mold cavity as well as inside the channels that lead to the mold cavity. The plastic that solidifies inside the channels is not the component or part of the final product. It is just a waste.

Now, what happens to the “waste” during plastic injection molding?

Thermoplastic Materials

If a thermoplastic material were used for injection molding, the waste could be recycled and used again. The solid plastic left within the sprues, runners, and gates can be combined with the raw material that goes into the injection molding machine. The same thing can happen with the material from rejected plastic parts. All the waste plastic can be collected and recycled back to the onset of the process. This all sums up into higher efficiency, and eventually means, lower costs of the final product and better margin for the producer.

Thermosetting Materials

If a thermosetting material were used for injection molding, the solid plastic from the sprues, runners, and gates is simply a waste, that has no practical use whatsoever. This means that the cost of the final product will be higher.

To conclude, thermoplastic materials offer some major benefits to plastic product manufacturers, consumers, and even society, as such materials are recyclable. Indeed, when it comes to plastic prototype development or plastic product manufacturing, the manufacturer should choose and use thermoplastic materials.

At GID Development Corporation, along with top-quality product design, rapid prototyping, and product development, we provide high-class plastic product manufacturing services. We are an efficient product development company in California, USA, and provide a comprehensive service so that our clients can take their inventions, to the market easily. To ensure efficient bulk production of novel inventions, which we help create with our product design, product prototyping, and product development services, we employ popular

 

Plastic & Metal Product Manufacturing Processes

One important aspect that every industrial designer and mechanical engineer should consider is the selection of the right product manufacturing process. For product development, there are many manufacturing processes that engineers can utilize; however, choosing the right one can greatly affect the cost of manufacturing as well as the success of the final product. Here is a brief on some of the most common plastic product manufacturing and metal product manufacturing processes.

Plastic Product Manufacturing Processes

For the sake of this discussion, let us assume that you need to make at least 10,000 parts. For less quantity, rapid prototyping or 3D printing processes are more appropriate and economical.

Here are some plastic manufacturing processes that plastic product manufacturers commonly utilize to mass produce plastic parts and components.

  1. Injection Molding: Plastic injection molding is the most preferred process that produces parts and components with the lowest cost per part. The process is ideal for moderately sized production runs. The production tooling cost is a bit of a concern, especially if you do not have a definitive mold for the plastic part. Nevertheless, you can use aluminum molds until you get the definitive mold design. Once you have the definitive mold design, you can shift to stainless steel molds, which are durable and suitable for a high-volume production.
  2. CNC Machining: Computer numerical control machining or just CNC machining is the process in which computers play a big role in controlling the CNC machines like mills, plasma cutters, drills, etc. CNC machining is an ideal process to employ for small-sized production runs for small parts. The process allows precision and good surface finish too. The drawback of CNC machining is the high costs. Nevertheless, CNC machining offers automation, which eliminates manual labor and errors caused by manual laborers.
  3. Rotational Molding: Rotational molding is an appropriate plastic product manufacturing process to produce soft, rubbery parts. Both simple and complex parts can be produced using rotational molding. It also helps produce several pieces of a single part, which can then be assembled together. This eliminates overall fabrication costs. Rotational molding also eliminates significant wastage of material. The drawback of this process is it does not facilitate precision. And just like plastic injection molding, the production tooling cost is a concern.
  4. Thermoforming: Thermoforming is a suitable process to manufacture large plastic parts. The production tooling cost is lower than other plastic product manufacturing processes. The production time is also lower. The disadvantage of thermoforming is that it does not offer precision. Intricate shapes and good surface finish are also hard to achieve with thermoforming.

Metal Product Manufacturing Processes

Metal product manufacturing is more expensive than plastic product manufacturing because metals are more costly than plastic materials. It is possible to rapid prototype or 3D print some metal parts, but it will prove uneconomical.

Here are some metal manufacturing processes that product manufacturers commonly utilize to mass produce metal parts and components.

  1. CNC Machining: Aside from the plastic parts, with CNC machining, it is possible to produce metal parts. Thanks to computers, playing a role in controlling CNC machines, the process is appropriate for making complex parts. Precision is easy to achieve with CNC machining. The drawback of CNC machining is the high costs, even for producing small parts.
  2. Die Casting: Die casting is a suitable metal product manufacturing process to produce metal parts with high dimensional accuracy and smooth surface finish. The process facilitates rapid production rates. The per part cost is also lower than other metal manufacturing processes. The drawback, however, is the high production tooling cost – perhaps it has the highest tooling cost.
  3. Investment Casting: One of the oldest processes, investment casting is appropriate to manufacture complex parts with a very smooth surface. The process also offers exceptional dimensional accuracy. The drawback, aside from the cost, is the long production-cycle times. For high-volume manufacturing, the process could prove to be expensive and infeasible.
  4. Sand Casting: Sand casting is one of the most popular processes to produce small and complex metal parts. Instead of metal molds, this process utilizes sand molds. This substantially reduces the cost. With sand casting, it is possible to achieve high dimensional accuracy. The process is suitable for low to medium production runs, but for high volumes, it will prove to be infeasible.

Aside from these processes, there are many other plastic product manufacturing processes and metal product manufacturing processes. Choosing the right one will affect the cost of manufacturing and the success of the final product.

Looking for a good plastic product manufacturer in California? Look no further than GID Development Corporation. A product development company, based in California, GID Development Corporation provides exceptional product design, product prototyping, plastic product manufacturing, 3D printing and other services. With their experience and expertise in injection molding, CNC machining and other processes, the professional industrial and mechanical engineers at GID Development Corporation can help you develop exceptional new products.

Have any queries regarding plastic product manufacturing? Just call Jim Grimes at 714-323-1052 between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST, for a FREE 15-minute telephonic conference. He will answer to various questions regarding plastic product manufacturing and rapid prototyping.

Benefits of Plastic Injection Molding

Partnering with a plastic product manufacturer is a good idea. Partnering with a plastic product manufacturer who specializes in the plastic injection molding process is even a better idea! Plastic injection molding is a remarkably versatile procedure of manufacturing new products and their parts. Most plastic product manufacturers utilize this procedure because it has multiple benefits over other procedures of plastic molding. Plastic injection molding is not only simpler and reliable, but it is also exceptionally efficient. For new product development, utilizing this procedure is worth considering.

Here are the benefits of using plastic injection molding for manufacturing new products and their parts or components:

Design Flexibility

The injection molding process involves high-pressure injection or thrust of raw material, i.e., plastic, metal, rubber, etc. into a mold. Due to the high pressure, the material is pressed harder into the mold. Because the material is pressed harder, it is possible to add considerable details in the design of a part or product.

The high-pressure injection that this process utilizes also enables the creation of complex and tricky shapes. The other methods would fail or prove inefficient and too expensive to create complex-shaped parts or products. Therefore, compared to all other molding methods, plastic injection molding offers better design flexibility.

Efficiency

Once the precise mold has been designed as per the required specification and the injection molding machine set, the actual molding process is swift in contrast to other molding methods. Owing to its swiftness, more parts or components can be manufactured, in less time. This aspect of plastic injection molding makes it a cost-effective and highly efficient option for manufacturing plastic parts and components.

Strength Enhancement

Plastic injection molding allows the use of different fillers in the mold. These fillers, which could be silica, calcium carbonate, clay, glass, mica, alumina trihydrate, or any other minerals, can increase the stiffness and hardness as well as strength and heat resistance of the plastic parts. Other molding methods would not allow the use of such fillers; hence, when there is a need for strong and durable plastic parts, plastic injection molding offers a viable option.

Allows the Simultaneous Use of Different Plastic Types

One remarkable benefit of using plastic injection molding for making parts and components is the ability to use different thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers concurrently. This is possible through co-injection technology. Using different types of polymers together reduces the material cost. It also helps alter the density, elasticity as well as color, texture, and mechanical properties of the plastic parts.

Automated Manufacturing

The process of plastic injection molding is automated. Most of the plastic injection molding processes are carried out by machines and even robots. This eliminates manual labor involvement, and so, significantly reduces mass manufacturing costs. Automated manufacturing also reduces inaccuracies; hence, the waste is reduced, and the quality products are manufactured.

If you are looking for a reliable Plastic product manufacturer in California, who specializes in plastic injection molding and can help you develop new products, the GID Development Corporation is worth considering. A product design company in California, GID Development Corporation provides exceptional product design, product prototyping, product development, plastic product manufacturing, and other product fulfillment services.

Currently, GID Development Corporation is offering a FREE 15-minute telephonic conference, where an industrial expert will answer to various plastic product manufacturing-related questions. Just call Jim Grimes at 714-323-1052 between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST.

Plastic Product Manufacturing – Tips to Find the Best Product Development Company

If you are dealing in plastic products or parts, then you don’t need to manufacture those parts or products on your own. You can hire a plastic product manufacturing company to design and develop custom plastic parts for the optimum functioning of your business. There are product development companies in the United States and beyond the borders of the United States to help inventors and businesses with what they require and how much they require.

However, not all product manufacturing companies are reliable and professional when it comes to manufacturing plastic products from scratch. It will be in your favor if you choose a plastic product manufacturer with adequate experience, workforce, and technology to transform your idea into a money-making product. Here are a few tips to help you find a plastic product manufacturing company that will fulfill your budding plastic parts demand.

If you are a startup, then you should focus on the type of materials the company uses. Every product development company is different from each other, similarly not all plastic product manufacturers are going to make use of all types of raw materials to develop plastic products. Some manufacturing companies may possess expertise in creating plastic products using raw materials such as polyurethanes, whereas others may prefer polyethylene terephthalate, polyamides (nylon), polyvinyl chloride, etc. to develop new plastic products. Every raw material has its characteristics, each suitable for a specific purpose; hence, partner with a company that can recommend and handle the specific plastic material that you want for your parts or products.

Some plastic product development companies offer additional services to help inventors. The supplementary services can help you overcome any unwanted product development blunders. Some product manufacturing companies may also assist with rapid prototyping to help you test the feasibility of the concept. Partnering with such a versatile product development company can be worthwhile for you.

Whether you are a startup, a mid-sized business, or a big brand with an international presence, teaming up with a reliable plastic product manufacturing company procures tons of benefits for you. These include plastic products for vivid industries such as agriculture, transportation, medical, sports equipment, automotive, and retail to name a few.

If you are in search of a reliable plastic product manufacturing company in the United States, then the GID Development Corporation is worth considering. Propelled ahead by the team of the most skilled and experienced industry professionals, GID offers exceptional designing services, prototyping, manufacturing, and services in between. Call Jim Grimes at 714-323-1052 8 am – 5 pm PST for a free consultation.

How to Summarize a Plastic Product Manufacturing Strategy

If you are planning to develop a new plastic product for your customers, then a clear and focused plastic product manufacturing strategy is critically important to ensure success, and without a well-defined strategy, new product development will tend to stall or even fail. A well-defined product development strategy lends you opportunities to analyze and overcome unexpected concerns. Moreover, it also offers direction and action plans, prioritizes and aligns activities, defines accountabilities and enhances communication and commitment.

Plastic product manufacturing industry changes rapidly, and for entrepreneurs to thrive in this environment, they have to keep their heads about the day-to-day business and spend time looking and listening to the changes that are happening in technology and business. A well-versed new product development strategy can avoid waste of time, money, and resources. It will not only help you organize and manage the entire product manufacturing process, but it will also help you in capturing your customers’ views and expectations, and strategically design and resource your new product development project.

Why do I need a Product Development Strategy?

According to The GID Development Corporation, California, a well-planned and a well-versed “New Product Development” strategy will aid you in:

  • Understanding your potential market and end users
  • Launch of rewarding new products
  • Manufacturing new products that are more useful, durable and affordable
  • Avoid unnecessary manufacturing expenses
  • Proper use of resources and time frame
  • Avoid business risk and unnecessary competition

Points to Consider While Framing a New Product Development Strategy

What is your product?

A detailed and systematic answer to this question will definitely help you overcome most product development glitches. An answer to this question will keep you and your team focused on a single path and escape new product development pitfalls, including manufacturing too many products at once, running out of resources, and wastage of time and money.

What do your end-users expect from your product?

You are manufacturing the new products for your customers; hence, their likes, dislikes, and expectations should be kept at the top of the list. To create a rewarding new product manufacturing strategy, you require an in-depth understanding and knowledge of what your customers want. A new product development strategy summarized based on a strategic, determined, and targeted approach will ensure success for you and your products.

What about the time frame?

Manufacturing new plastic products from scratch is a time-consuming task as well as equally trying; hence, don’t make any decision in the hurry or in frustration. Spend adequate time to conceptualize your idea, product design, product prototype development, and more. Your purpose of manufacturing new products will help you define manufacturing time and your deadlines for execution. Be attentive and accurate.

What are the key concerns?

As stated in the above paragraph, plastic product manufacturing is not an easygoing job. There are thousands of questions to be answered and hundreds of processes that are needed to be handled professionally. Therefore, always focus on key concerns such as product design, price, features, etc. to ensure your product development process moves in a straight path.

Need Help! Call Jim Grimes

The GID Development Corporation is an American plastic product manufacturing company helping small and mid-sized entrepreneurs in realizing their dream of launching a new product. If you have any questions related to plastic product development, then call Jim at 714-323-1052

Characteristics of a Reliable Plastic Product Manufacturer in the USA

Finding and working with Reliable Plastic Product Manufacturer in USA ensures that the first impression of a product is the best it can be. A professionally developed plastic product can make an attractive display, as well as a product easy and safe to use. Working with a full-service product manufacturing company helps you develop high-quality plastic products that are durable, reusable, recyclable, and FDA-approved for use with foods (if you are planning to develop a plastic product such as a food container).

On the other hand, hiring an unprofessional manufacturer can lead to unfavorable consequences such as late deliveries, missed deadlines, sub-par quality or even unfortunate dilemmas at the manufacturing plant that can leave your company in a lurch if the manufacturer can’t or won’t make good on its promises. So for the safety of your idea and its future, it is advisable to contract a manufacturer having adequate experience and tools for bringing your idea to life.

Do you know what are the characteristics of a reliable plastic product manufacturer? Don’t know? Here are the top five characteristics to look for in a product manufacturing company before you hire them for any of their development services, and they are as follows:

In-House Team of Designers and Engineers

You may have your own team of professionals, but it’s best to work with a product manufacturer that has its own team of in-house product designers and engineers who can work with you to come up with a prototype for every part you need. These professionals have years of industry experience that helps them make correct decisions for you. Moreover, these professionals can recommend alternative manufacturing processes of development and offer design assistance so that you are provided with a premium quality product every time. Another advantage of working with a manufacturer having an in-house team of designers and engineers is their ability to solve the problems. They are amazing as trouble-shooters, reducing downtime and ensuring your manufacturing process won’t be delayed any longer than absolutely necessary.

A Variety of Manufacturing Techniques

Your company probably is in need of parts or components manufactured using an injection molding method; however, what if parts or components manufactured using other techniques is required? Is your company capable of manufacturing plastic products using other molding methods as well? In order to sustain the competition and to satisfy the customers coming from different sectors of the market, it is best to hire a new product development company having experience in more than one manufacturing technique.

Round The Clock Manufacturing Capability

It’s an active world where business and customers never sleep. The plastic product manufacturer you opt to hire should be able to routinely run three shifts in the event that you need a rush job or have an unexpected amount of order to fill. If your existing manufacturing partner works only one shift, what will they be able to do for you when you require more plastic parts in limited time?

Stellar Customer Service

Plastic product manufacturing isn’t an industry known for its exceptional post-development services; however, that doesn’t mean you have to face problems such as unanswered phone calls, lost emails, and messages or any other embarrassments that can slow down product manufacturing rate and generate problems through misunderstanding. Before you hire a development company, don’t forget to include a clause regarding customer service. Do they answer your call in a timely manner? Do they answer it right? Are they polite on the call? Were you able to talk to the right person? Were they pleasant and personable?

Multiple Facilities

Plastic product manufacturing is a risky job, and you cannot deny any possibilities of an industrial accident, a fire or any other errors that would need closing the facility; however, it can happen. This could be a costly affair for you and your business. If the plastic product manufacturer has an additional facility, they can continue to supply you with the parts or products you require for your business by using a secondary facility and working extra shifts.

If you find a plastic product manufacturer that fits all of the criteria above, then your project is in safe hand. You will always be served with the best practices and excellent support.

The GID Development Corporation is a leading Reliable Plastic Product Manufacturer in USA for all manufacturing needs with more than four decades of experience. For more details visit our official website www.GIDCompany.com or call Jim, President at the GID Company, today at 714-323-1052 for a free consultation.