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Many people take for granted the time, energy and consideration that goes into the products that end up on our shelves. The product development process can take months or even years, depending on the specifics of the product. It can be a daunting process, but taking some time to understand what goes into product development and when each step of the process takes place can equip you with the knowledge you need to put things in motion for your product. Concept generation: The

A contract manufacturer can help bring your product vision to life, but not all contract manufacturers will be able to provide the same level of service and expertise. Finding the right contract manufacturer is essential if you want your product to reach its full potential. Below are four of the most common mistakes we see businesses make when they decide to work with a contract manufacturer, and a few suggestions on how to avoid these pitfalls when it comes time to choose yo

No matter how amazing your product concept is, you won’t be able to achieve your vision unless you partner with a manufacturer who can deliver the results you need. But finding a good manufacturer is sometimes easier said than done. As a result, it’s not unusual for a product developer to find themself unhappy with the manufacturing experience. Thankfully, you can avoid the headache of working with an unqualified manufacturer by following a few simple steps. Step 1: Start by

Early supplier involvement is known to offer a number of benefits, but some are still hesitant to use ESI for fear it will drive up their costs. A more thorough understanding of the concept and its benefits can help you maximize your profitability and the quality of your product. WHAT IS EARLY SUPPLIER INVOLVEMENT? In essence, early supplier involvement is an approach in which a product developer collaborates with its manufacturing and supplier partners early in the design pr

For a long time, metal was the primary material used in many manufacturing applications. Its considerable strength and durability made metal a logical choice for applications across many industries. Today, plastic has revolutionized manufacturing, producing durable and versatile products that are more flexible, weigh less, and offer greater freedom for product designers. As a result, many manufacturers have decided to convert traditionally metal parts to plastics. However, it

No industry exists in a vacuum. Injection molding is a process that’s used for the production of a wide range of components from a variety of industries: Telecommunications: Regardless of the popularity of mobile devices and wireless technology, much of the information that’s exchanged on a global scale is transmitted through fiber optic cables. Fiber optic networks require all kinds of adapters and specialized plastic parts to work effectively, and that’s where the injection

As you start working with a contract manufacturer, you may also have some reservations about the process. While contract manufacturers offer an essential service, not every relationship between a manufacturer and their customer is positive. To really get the most out of working with a contract manufacturer, you will need to make an investment in the relationship itself. When you do, you’ll see a big difference in the final outcome of your project. TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A CONT

The injection molding industry can be confusing to navigate. With many different manufacturers, engineers, designers and other service providers it can be difficult to get a clear idea of just what an injection molder can actually do for you. WHAT IS CUSTOM INJECTION MOLDING? Custom injection molding involves a wide range of services that include engineering support, design consultation, analysis, prototyping, tooling and more. The idea behind custom injection molding is that

Ultrasonic welding is a manufacturing process that joins two different materials (often metal and plastic) - through the application of high-frequency vibrations. This process is widely regarded for its efficiency, consistency and cost-effectiveness, but like many manufacturing processes, issues can arise. Understanding these potential problems before you get started--and knowing how to resolve them--can help you effectively utilize the process for the best outcome possible.

When it comes to manufacturing, time is money. A change in production time of just a few minutes can make a huge difference when it comes to your overall profitability. Of course, that doesn’t mean you don’t want to risk mistakes in your product’s design that might take a toll on quality or reproducibility. It’s important to formulate a practical plan to product development that will cut down on time without sacrificing quality. Here are some tips to help you get ready. PRODU

Manufacturing has come a long way in the last several decades. New processes help increase productivity, shorten processing times, create more reliable parts, and lower overhead costs. Let’s take a look at one of the more popular molding methods, compression molding, and weigh it against standard injection molding based on some essential factors. WHAT IS COMPRESSION MOLDING? Compression molding uses thermoset resins that are poured into a heated mold cavity and then forced do

Not all injection molding companies are created equal and, in some cases, choosing the wrong injection molding company can lead to excessive costs, low-quality parts and prototypes, and worst of all, lost profits. By taking a little extra time to really do your research, you can avoid the frustration of dealing with an unreliable company and instead build a relationship with an injection molder who can provide you with exceptional service for years to come. We recommend you a

Over the last several decades, shifts in the economy and changes to manufacturing practices have led to major changes in how-- and where-- manufacturing is done. While we’re all familiar with the stories of companies outsourcing manufacturing operations overseas, you may not hear as much about reshoring, which is what happens when a company brings manufacturing back to the domestic market. Needless to say, reshoring has a myriad of benefits for manufacturers, workers, and con

Injection molding isn't a simple process, and as many of us know, it can sometimes take quite a bit of trial and error to get your injection molding designs just right. And while every new design requires several iterations between initial conception and production, there are several things you can do now to increase the chances of your design becoming a successful product. Focus on material selection: The materials you use for your injection molding products are essential wh

These days, it seems like automation is progressively changing the structure of most industries. Even highly specialized processes are beginning to make the shift to automation. In the injection molding industry, this shift can only be categorized as a revolution, one that is changing nearly every step of the injection molding process. Although these changes can be challenging for businesses to keep up with, it’s easy to see how a variety of factors have led to automation’s p

Keeping up with all of the different injection molding processes that are around can be a challenge. All have distinct features, but you might have a hard time determining exactly which one is right for your products. If you need to manufacture more durable structural components, you might consider structural foam molding, a process that was developed to offer several benefits over other kinds of injection molding for particular applications. Below, you’ll find some of the mo

Overmolding is an injection molding process that involves the combination of multiple materials to form a single part. This process makes it possible to create dynamic components that combine the best qualities of different materials for unique applications. There are several different benefits of overmolding that clearly explain why it’s become an increasingly popular process among plastics manufacturers. Find out more about overmolding so that you can decide whether you mig

You’re probably familiar with the old adage ‘time is money,’ but if you're like most of us you might have a harder time actually putting this principle into practice. Cutting down cycle times, even fractionally, can be a challenge and it often requires a significant amount of trial and error to successfully reduce manufacturing time without sacrificing quality. Thankfully, there are several different things you can do to reduce your injection mold cycle time without negativel

If you are involved in product development, you may already be familiar with the concept of early supplier involvement (ESI), at least to some extent. In essence, early supplier involvement is exactly what it sounds like. Rather than waiting until a product has been designed and is well on its way to production, ESI gives product developers and manufacturers a chance to sync their resources at the very beginning stages of product development. There are several benefits to uti

As the injection molding industry has evolved, new methods and procedures have been developed to increase product quality. Gas assist injection molding is an injection molding process that uses nitrogen gas to create hollow channels within a mold. As the nitrogen gas forces material away from the core and out toward the edge of the mold, it relieves internal tension, creates a streamlined surface and prevents shrinkage. But even though the process can provide great benefits f