Plastic engineering is used in many critical projects to improve product quality and increase the efficiency of the production process. Critical industries, such as aerospace, medical, oil and gas, and others, rely on plastic engineering services to ensure their products meet the specifications of their industry. So, what is plastic engineering? In this blog, we will explore the engineering process, benefits, and applications.
What is Plastic Engineering?
Plastic engineering is the process of designing, developing, and manufacturing plastic products. The process includes material selection for functionality, adjusting the designs for plastic components, and collaboration with a machining partner.
Material Selection
Material selection is crucial to the functionality of your plastic components and parts. Each plastic has its own mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties, allowing you to create a product with all of the properties that you need. Material selection can also impact the cost of your product, as some plastics can be more costly than others.
During this process, you will need to work with your plastic engineer to determine the best plastic for your application while also weighing the cost. This includes determining which properties are essential and which you can go without.
Design Adjustments
Plastic offers many beneficial properties, however, it may require certain design choices compared to metal products. Some design considerations and adjustments must be made for rounded corners, wall thickness, tolerances, surface finish, and more. To learn more about some design adjustments to make, check out our blog.
Design for Manufacturability
A Design for Manufacturability review makes manufacturing easier and more efficient, lowering the cost of your process. During these reviews, your plastic engineer will consider the manufacturing process, quantity of materials, materials used, complexity of the product, and secondary processes.
Benefits of Plastic Engineering for Your Projects
Plastic engineering provides many benefits to a wide range of projects. Some of these benefits include:
Material Selection that Meets Your Requirements
Your plastic engineer will ensure the polymer you chose will meet all of the needs of your product. And, if you run into issues after production, your engineering team will be able to make adjustments to the material used.
Design Modifications to Improve Your Product and Reduce Production Time and Costs
With Design for Manufacturability reviews, your products will be designed to make the manufacturing process as easy and efficient as possible. In doing so, the cost of your production will decrease and the quality of your product will increase.
Applications of Plastic Engineering
Implementing plastic engineering can be beneficial to nearly any project, but it can be especially helpful with critical applications. In these industries, tight tolerances, high-performance materials, and precision designs are crucial to the success of a product.
Some of the industries that can benefit the most from plastic engineering include aerospace, medical, oil and gas, fluidics, industrial, and semiconductor.
Interested in Plastic Engineering Services? Trust Ensinger
At Ensinger, our team is dedicated to providing you with top-quality plastic products for your critical applications. Our engineering team will work with you to ensure your products are Designed for Manufacturability and make any adjustments needed. We will also make sure that you are using the proper polymer for your application so you get the product you need every time.
In addition to our engineering services, our team also offers advanced manufacturing services, CNC machining, and injection molding services to create the products you require. Our team also has the capabilities and machinery needed to create the products you need with the tightest tolerances possible.
If you are interested in learning more about our services, contact our team today.