Rapid tooling and low volume manufacturing have revolutionized the way products are made. It has given companies many benefits including flexibility in product designs, delivering products faster, and cost savings. The materials and methods used are also continuously evolving.
Selecting the right material and techniques for rapid tooling
This is very important because the material and technology in rapid tooling have varied options. There are SLS, Stereolithography, powdered plastics to name a few. Choosing the right material is critical in delivering high-quality products.
Purpose of the Product
The purpose or application of a particular product determines the material to use. Some products need to have a good surface finish and require strength and durability. Some product is only for prototyping and need not be polish. Before selecting a material, it is worth noting what will be the characteristics of the product when used.
The function of the Product
If your product requires bending, load bearing, hinging or snapping then you must choose a material that can perform all this. The function of the product determines the type of material required.
Strength and Durability
Another important factor to consider because the product has a function. When choosing a material, it must able to endure stress and withstand the load that is required.
Look and Texture
With the demand for customization, customers are expecting nothing substandard, including the overall look and texture. It should be taken into account when deciding what material to use.
Budget
At the end of the buying decision is the cost factor which will decide the material and technology. However, if what we need is a high-quality product, the budget should be flexible.
Choosing the Right Material for Injection Molding
Selecting the material for injection molding is overwhelming for a product designer as there are thousands of types to choose from. The trick here is to look at the material composition to delineate your selection.
Here are the six materials commonly used in the industry:
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyamide (Nylon)
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
- ABS and PC Blend (commonly used in electronics)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
Here are the criteria in choosing which among the six will be the best for your product.
Hardness
If your product requires hardness, then you should refer to the shore hardness of each material. This table was developed after measurements of thousands of materials. There are different materials for different applications.
Material Flexibility
There is a difference between softness and flexibility. The material is flexible if it can bend under stress without snapping. If the material is resisting the bending process, then it has stiffness, which will be counterproductive if you require flexibility for your product.
Material Weight
It is important also to consider the weight of the material as it could influence the outcome of the product. If the final product needs to be lightweight, then choose a material that has low mass yet durable and flexible.
Cost
It is important, as it will influence the buying decision. Make sure that the material you choose will not hurt your financials. However, if you are looking into a high-quality product, then you should be prepared to be flexible with the cost.
Conclusion
Choosing the right material for rapid tooling and injection molding is influenced by many factors. You must know what are the characteristics of each material and the requirements of your design to come up with a choice.