Continuation of the 4 Factors… Results

Over the past series of articles the topic has been the steps to go through for a good part.  So now we have that part and a lot of information if everything was done. What happens now? What do we do with the information and how do we become better.

Given the fact that we may have generated data on the shear flow of our material in our tool we now know how it flows through our specific gate sizes, runner diameters, and nozzle diameter. If we put this data into a spread sheet or data base system, than we have a record of what we have done. Use a spread sheet or forms for all, pressure drops, gate freeze time and all other data points. Don’t forget the shrinkage data that can be generated from measuring parts versus the steel. Remember this data is specific to how we are processing the part. The hard part is what system you use and how to categorize it.

Now than some would say I don’t need this, who cares, its too much work. The real question is do you wish to be in the business? By using the data that was generated knowledge was created and hopefully someone learned. They learned that they don’t need a 0.250” diameter runner, or that a 0.100” gate in ABS freezes out at 7 seconds. Maybe they learned that the cycle time was 45 seconds with the part being ejected at 150? F, at a 0.080” wall thickness.

Now the question is where to apply the knowledge, the new tool, the optimization of the part design, the quoting process, tool design and other areas. Maybe it is in the sharing of the data with the tool maker in that we can reduce our gate sizes and runner sizes so that we can better optimize the process and reduce our cycle time on the next generation of parts and products. What it does is to give an edge, the ability to know that the next part can be made or run in a faster time than most think. To know that cooling lines and part temperature are interlinked so that on the next tool/project those things are not left up to guessing.  Maybe it is with the designer to say that we can flow ABS 14” at a 0.125” wall thickness and it only takes 4,000 ppsi to do it. Maybe the knowledge is used to help specify the new machine that we wish to purchase. It could be to say to someone that we can’t do what someone has asked us to do and make money because at that wall thickness we can only run a 40 second cycle time. But we have the data to back it up.

Maybe the real results are that we are making great parts and making money. That when we have a similar product to make that we have the edge now, and have the gumption to do it better and not what has been. Or maybe it is the desire to be proactive instead of the re-active to the situations that are created.

Thanks for the time.

Steven L Silvey
Consultant to the Plastic Industry
360-882-3183
ssilvey643@aol.com