Injection molding

Hi,

OK, I've had to bite the bullet and go the injection molding route. What can I read up on

*before* I make my appointments with suppliers?

I'm looking for two pieces -- one the volume of an

*original* iPod. The other about the volume of two "palms" (with the four fingers cut off).

Both are very simple, sleek shapes. A few inserts to mount boards. Case will *screw* together (not "snap") so it can be disassembled. High impact plastic. Smooth finish (not textured).

Thx,

--don

Reply to
D Yuniskis
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Hop over to

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and read through their References section. I've never used them but I'm always looking for an excuse to...

--
Rich Webb     Norfolk, VA
Reply to
Rich Webb

A few questions..

Are there crossovers? Slides? Other side action?

You want to buy parts? Buy complete molds? Buy mold inserts only?

What kind of plastic? HIPS? ABS? PC?

What SPI mold class?

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Higher "class" molds require hardened parts and better (harder to machine, and more expensive) materials.

What finish on the parts? (mirror polish, textured etc).

Do you have 3D solid models of the parts, and are the parts designed by an experienced (in plastic part design) engineer to be easily injection molded?

Do you need/want mold filling simulations and analysis done?

What parts of the production does the shop outsource, and to WHERE?

Where do the materials and parts come from? Are they DME etc. or something else?

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

--
"it's the network..."                          "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
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Reply to
Spehro Pefhany

potential volume dictates the mould material, steel or aluminium. Sliding cores adds considerable cost, so avoid if possible. A degreee of waterproof ness dictates how the mould halves join, simple butt or channel. Does the moulder have his own 'in house' tool makers. This is my no 1 requrement. If the moulder outsources, ther can be huge unresolvable issues when things go wrong. If you have a good cad design of your product (3D) that will reduce cost. Do you want/need prototypes? these can be done, but are expensiv, but will save a fortune in the long run for a high volume consumer type product. Material depends on use v cost. ABS is cheap. Polycarb is ultra resilient. Cheapest method is a symetrical mould that will produce both halves, with maybe an insert in one half...

Reply to
TTman

Meeting with first vendor was quite informative. I'll make some tweeks to the models before talking to the next vendor.

Thanks!

--don

Reply to
D Yuniskis

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