Design

Most companies would like to improve their sustainability but they do not know where to start and do not have a method of assessing their current status. Without knowing where you are starting from it is impossible to plot a route to where you want to get to. 

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.

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.

The marriage of nano- and microscale 3D printing has ushered in a new era of design freedom and efficiency, propelling groundbreaking innovations in micro-optics and micromechanics. These advancements not only drive new developments but also set the stage for technological progress, leading to the increased commercialization of 3D printing techniques tailored for micro- and nano-objects. At the forefront of this transformative wave is the crucial process of two-photon polymerization (2PP).

If the plastics industry wants to continue to be a part of that stream of commerce it is important for all engineers to know how to design high quality plastic parts and product that can be efficiently produced.

Researchers from Cornell and the University of Alberta, Edmonton, have pioneered a novel technique for treating Type 1 diabetes. Their innovation involves implanting a revolutionary device, a removable polymer thread, beneath the skin.

In a bid to combat microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, scientists have drawn inspiration from an unlikely source – the Hawaiian apple snail. This innovative venture has resulted in the creation of a robot prototype designed to scoop up microplastics from the surfaces of oceans, seas, and lakes.

SPE has recently announced that the ANTEC® 2024 program will feature a Symposium Honoring the Career Achievements of Mr. Glenn Beall. His indelible legacy has significantly contributed to the growth of plastics and SPE.

No sustainability management program will be successful unless top management is committed to it. Top management will generally respond better to a well-reasoned financial argument but there is no conflict – it is entirely possible to be more sustainable and to improve profits at the same time. 

Working with U.S. startup Inkbit, researchers in Switzerland have, for the first time, say they have found a way to 3D print slow-curing polymers.