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The first two articles in this series dwelt with the history of product design and the creative process that culminated in hypothetical new injection molded product sketches. The next challenge is to reduce the concept sketches to detailed piece-part drawings or CAD data bases. However, before starting that time consuming process it is highly desirable to determine whether or not the parts of the new product are moldable and what the molds and molded parts will cost.

The robustness of materials under cyclic loading is a critical factor often overshadowed by their tensile strength. Plastics, by nature, exhibit lower fatigue strength than their measured tensile strength, emphasizing the need for meticulous fatigue testing in material selection processes.

Circularise, a blockchain platform championing supply chain transparency, has joined forces with the Japan Circular Economy Partnership (J-CEP), AMITA Corporation, and Marubeni Corporation in a groundbreaking trial. This collaboration is raising the bar in the battle against plastic pollution by introducing digital product passports (DPPs) to meticulously track plastic bottle caps’ lifecycle, from collection to their rebirth as high-quality recycled products.

In the face of escalating concerns over food loss, waste, and the imperative need for robust antimicrobial technologies exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, a groundbreaking study introduces polymer-based antibacterial films. This innovative approach seeks to merge antibacterial efficacy with durability, offering a multifaceted solution to contemporary challenges.

The quest for advanced epoxy formulations has led to a groundbreaking development—fast-curing epoxies that achieve full curing within a mere two hours. This remarkable achievement is attributed to the integration of Vitrimer chemistries, ushering in a new era of rapid turnaround times for epoxy applications.

Carrying out a full site survey is a specialist task but a mini-survey or walk-around will quickly and easily identify many actions to reduce energy use. Naturally, the focus will be on using that essential tool called the ’OFF switch’ but this can have remarkable rewards very quickly. 

An intercampus collaboration led by Dr. Gunisha Kaur, an associate professor of anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine, has received a National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Catalyst Prize for its project, “Digital Solutions to Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Refugee Women.”

In an era dominated by Industry 4.0, where optimization and sustainability are paramount, companies are turning to cutting-edge technologies to enhance their product offerings. Among these technologies, 3D printing has emerged as a transformative force, addressing the needs of rapid prototyping and end-use part production.

The process of designing a plastic product to be made by injection molding is the same as designing a product for any other manufacturing process or material. Each combination of material and manufacturing method has its own unique design guidelines. However, the design process itself is independent of the kind of material or manufacturing method being used.

As plastic waste continues to pose a global environmental threat, researchers are exploring sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastic. Bioplastics, which mimic the qualities of conventional plastic but are made from natural materials, emerge as a promising solution. Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy is at the forefront of bioplastic development, leveraging agricultural byproducts like avocado peels and coffee grounds to create biodegradable films.