Starting the manufacturing process for a new product can be a daunting task for anyone, even experienced professionals. But, this is especially true for those individuals who nurtured an idea from inception through the arduous planning phase. Engineering is now complete, the CAD drawings have been created, and you know you need custom plastic molding. But, how in the world do you find the best custom plastic molding manufacturer?
Know What You Are Talking About
The first and perhaps most important step in finding the best custom plastic molding manufacturer who knows everything you can about custom plastic molding. You need to be able to have an intelligent conversation with the manufacturer. You must understand what they are talking about, and you must be able to ask the right questions.
So, what exactly is custom plastic molding? This is a great place to start. Custom plastic molding is a manufacturing process for plastic parts and, in some cases, whole products that have customized design specifications. The inventor, or customer, gives his or her product specifications to the manufacturer. These specifications include not only the size, shape, and design, but also must contain the certain characteristics about the plastic itself, including the color, tolerance to heat and cold, level of hardness, and flexibility. The manufacturer will then create a mold of the part or product, and a prototype will be made with the mold to make sure it works as planned. If it does work properly, the production run can begin.
Of course, a lot happens between the time the mold is completed and the prototype is made. In fact, we have not even really discussed the custom plastic molding process itself. It is really a simple process. A particular type of plastics, called thermoplastics, is used in custom plastic molding. These thermoplastics, which come in pellet-form as well as long, thin strands on a spool, are fed into a barrel and then heated. The melted plastics are shot into the mold. While the plastic cools, it conforms to the shape of the mold and then hardens. When the part or product is removed from the mold, it is sometimes necessary to finish the product by trimming away excess plastic around the edges, or sanding the plastic.
Do Your Homework
The next step in finding the best custom plastic molding manufacturer is to do your homework. You will want to consult several manufacturers to discuss the mass production of your product. Try to find manufacturers who specialize in the type of product you have. For example, if you have a medical product, you will want to find manufacturers who specialize in medical products, rather than manufacturers who create toys for children. This will likely save you money, and it may also result in higher quality products since they are familiar with the work. Make sure you ask any manufacturers you consult with for detailed price estimates.
