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Volume Two, Number Three
Rotomolding fans - this issue offers new information to help design engineers, product managers and others use plastics. Email me with questions and comments. If you need to leave the newsletter, see the end for instructions.
Now boldly mold!
For more information, contact Meese Orbitron Dunne Co., American Rotational Molding Group; 16404 Knott Ave., La Mirada, CA 90638; Phone: 888.724.1228; Fax: 877.904.1670; www.modroto.com.
Metal to Plastic Conversion Earns National Spotlight
First, MOD engineers designed and molded a one-piece fuel tank that cut costs by 62 percent vs. the steel tank construction machinery manufacturer Finn Corp., Fairfield, Ohio, had been using in its Hydroseeding™ machine. Now, the conversion has earned national coverage in OEM Off-Highway for its success in upgrading the component while reducing the cost and speeding assembly of the machinery.
See the fuel tank at here.
The fuel tank conversion set off a wave of excitement that has engineers at MOD and Finn investigating what else can be upgraded through conversion to plastic. Finn plans to convert every steel and hydraulic tank on every piece of equipment to plastic. Fenders, loading hatches, panels and other parts currently made from hot rolled steel are also under consideration for conversion to plastic.
It’s all part of a Value Engineering initiative focused on increasing profitability by cutting costs and improving the product, which is especially useful when the market won’t accept price increases.
For an inside look at the process at Finn, see the complete story at here
Common Conversion Mistakes
Converting metal parts to plastic may seem to make perfect sense but much more is required than simply making the existing parts out of plastic.
Remember to consider combining the part with other parts as a one-piece unit to boost overall strength.
This is an opportunity to improve the part design. Consider if adding foam filling, extra walls or threads would be appropriate.
Don’t forget to determine the molding process before manufacturing tooling. Our rotational molding tooling costs approximately 10% to 20% of the cost of injection mold tooling.
More here
Get a free estimate on your next project at http://www.modroto.com/cgi-bin/request.
For a free brochure, call 800.772.7659 or go to http://www.modroto.com/cgi-bin/request.
Adventures In Rotomolding is published by Meese Orbitron Dunne Co., Saddle Brook, NJ, www.modroto.com; 800.829.3230. Copyright 2004 Meese, Inc. May not be reprinted without permission. Please feel free to pass along to other engineers and colleagues.
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