Page 66 - Plastics News May 2024

PRODUCT NEWS

Design guidelines for micromoulding

hen you begin to assess pivotal, not just as afterthoughts but Consultants not job shops
the use of micro injection as front-runners in the development
moulding, partnering with process. They must be meticulously Welcome to the design conundrum,
a specialised sub-contract considered to sidestep the costly and where original equipment manufactur-
manufacturer becomes a strategic as- time-consuming loop of redesigning a ers (OEMs) often see entities like Ac-
set. This partnership should be strong product that doesn't fit the mould — cumold as mere production houses
or job shops. However, these hubs of
for the entire journey of your product, quite literally.
micromoulding innovation see them-
from the blueprints to high-volume That's precisely why manufacturers selves as so much more. They are the
production, all development preferably must join forces with micromoulders expert consultants in the realm of micro
taking place under a single roof.
right at the inception of the product manufacturing. Be sure to choose one
The art of micromoulding is inherently development process. Early collabora- which is vertically integrated, however,
complex, laden with tasks that require tion is the secret sauce when crafting a ensuring expertise that spans from the
consistently hitting the bullseye of ex- manufacturing process that's not only drawing board to the final automated
tremely tight tolerances. To accom- cost-effective and swift but also nails it assembly process, its skills covering
plish this feat, it's imperative to foster on the first attempt. design, tooling, moulding, validation,
a collective commitment to precision As we unfold the pages of the micro- and more.
across the board — from the intricate moulding design guidebook, there are This integrative expertise flourishes
creation of micro tools to the micro- important nuggets of wisdom that can best when sown early in the conceptual
moulding itself, followed by rigorous illuminate your path from the get-go. phase of product development. Imag-
validation and optimised automated Remember, the call to action cannot ine the tooling manager, at the genesis
assembly.
be overstated — consult with a micro- of design, offering invaluable insights
Beyond this complicated process, moulding expert at the earliest chance. into moulding optimisation, or the as-
the selection of materials and the ar- It's the way to unlock tailored advice, sembly manager whose timely advice
chitecture of design reign supreme in perfectly suited to your project's thwarts delays and cost escalations by
micromoulding. These elements are unique specifications. pinpointing issues critically early in the

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