"How To" Regarding Plastic Molding
January 8, 2016 7:29 AM   Subscribe

Ahoy, all. I have an idea for a plastic, household whatchamacallit that would involve some large-scale plastic molding if the prototype proves successful. I've yet to start researching this in earnest, but I've had good luck here, so I thought I'd ask: Has anybody here worked with that industry? Large-scale plastic molding? Like for cups and plates and the likes? How does one go about getting a project done in that arena? Thanks in advance, rougy
posted by rougy to Technology (8 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
For prototyping, you can check out Protomold. I've worked with them on CNC milling stuff before with good results. They have an interactive tool that shows you problematic areas of your 3d model, and their customer service was always very good.
posted by Maecenas at 7:45 AM on January 8, 2016 [3 favorites]


Response by poster: Maecenas! Thanks so much. I was hoping for some practical, experienced input. Cheers.
posted by rougy at 8:02 AM on January 8, 2016


You might try finding someplace like this, I ran across them looking for a job. If not them, maybe that website may give you google ideas. I think generally speaking the business model here is you pay for the mold development and manufacture, and then find somebody with injection-molding equipment into which your mold is loaded. The company linked above seems to be "full service" in that they will do all of that, but the mold creation and use can be done by separate companies. In the full-service model they might roll the mold cost into a per-piece deal. I work in injection-molding (CDs & DVDs) but our mold situation is a little different.
posted by achrise at 8:54 AM on January 8, 2016


Response by poster: Achris - thank you so much for taking the time to help me out. This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Prost!
posted by rougy at 9:03 AM on January 8, 2016


I depends what the requirements are for precision and mold cavity complexity. Protomold is a good low-end capabiliy mold shop. You basically give them a solid model and they put it into a software package that tells them how to make a mold cavity and where to put the injection ports and ejection pins. Note: They do virtually no design for manufacturing, meaning you will have to make sure you design the part correctly for an injection molding process (to avoid warping, shrinkage, residual stress, etc). Protomold, as the name states, is only really appropriate for prototyping in most applications. Large scale manufacturers exist all over the US and abroad. They all have different expertise depending on who their main customers are (For example: cheap consumer goods, or high precision aerospace applications, car makers.. etc). If you want to take your idea from concept to production, you most likely need the help of an engineer experienced in injection molding and design for manufacturing. MeMail me if you'd like some more detailed guidance.
posted by incolorinred at 11:26 AM on January 8, 2016


I am a software developer with a hobby workshop. Because of some software I'd written for the people involved, I got into early discussion with and then built a bunch of wood and/or high-density fiberboard prototypes for the Shotbox (you can see such a prototype in one of their Kickstarter videos and the evolution of those prototypes around 1:12 in that video, I'd forgotten how many different versions we built...).

My impression is that the business-y guy of this venture basically took the best of those prototypes to the Chinese factory that does this stuff and said "make me one of these, but out of plastic", and they did the engineering (where the ribs go, molding in the hinges rather than using piano hinge) and a few tweaks to account for the things that they couldn't get the plastic to do (two support poles in the front) . It involved two trips to China, which, in the context of the price of the molds wasn't all that expensive.

I don't remember which company made these. I was going to search for a different company that built some product for these folks in the past (an intersecting group of people has done other consumer products), but apparently it's a super popular name for Chinese companies... If you need help tracking down a specific contact, holler and I can ask.
posted by straw at 11:31 AM on January 8, 2016


Response by poster: Straw & InColorInRed - thank you very much for lending me your time and your expertise.

As of now, I'm not picking a favorite, because you have all been helpful.

Thanks again.
posted by rougy at 8:54 AM on January 9, 2016 [1 favorite]


Best answer: I've used MFG.com to find factories for a couple of production parts. Basically, you just upload your drawings and/or 3d models, and suppliers from all over the world give you quotes. Some of them will offer full turnkey services, while others will just (attempt to) make whatever you tell them to.
posted by bradf at 1:53 PM on January 10, 2016


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