Thread: Any plastics/rubber gurus out there?

I know a little about it as its part of the mechanics course now its not indepth more of a how to identify plastics and what glue is good for what in regards to repairs..

Might I suggest googling for a local plastic welding company.

Check out the yellow pages for someone local who does injection moulding of a similar sort of thing. Maybe irrigation fittings or something. They will be able to help you with the various compounds and also what can be mixed with what or can't be as the case may be. They will also be able to assist with other issues like mould building and the various methods too. (If you can't find someone who does injection moulding have a look for a local business with CNC equipment, they will likely make the moulds for local injection moulding company)

I have a fairly good textboox which would probably be what you are looking for.

"Know your Plastics" 1992, Plastics Institute of Australia.

If you can't find a copy near you, I can probably photocopy some bits and send them if you tell me what you want.

Originally Posted by MickG

Wondering if there is anyone here who knows more than most about plastics or rubber and the different types/properties of each. I'm also looking for information on different types of moulding of both plastics or rubber - compression moulding, injection moulding, etc etc.

I am looking at the possibility of manufacturing a particualr product for the boat/marine industry and at this stage need pointing in the direction of a good resource for technical information on the various properties/specifications of plastics and rubbers and on from that, the various types of moulding processes available.

Have come across a couple of useful related web sites and companies, but figure there might be someone on here who can either talk with authority or works in a related industry......worth a try

Aye, Mick

Mick...


Hit me via email with your questions... I've had 16+ years in the field.

mike@trt.net.au

The Partec Training Centre on the campus of the Mt Gravatt TAFE runs training courses in ALL aspects of the plastics industry, They have 3 large workshops there.
07 38497878

Cheers guys, apologies for the late reply and thanks for all the input. Have done the old Google search and located some local manufature and mouling companies, but before I walk in to any of these businesses looking like a goose, I need to familiarise myself the various types of plastics/rubbers available, their properties and suitbility for the task at hand. Armed with this basic info, the plan is then to design the product and then approach manufacturers regarding suitable mouldings, materials, etc etc and commence testing from there

I know these are all how long is a piece of string questions, but things like "know your plastics" (cheers isuzurover) is the kind of thing I am after at this stage so I can start this project from a scientific angle. The product I am designing will have a specific application and will therefore lend itself to a particular type of plastic/rubber, in terms of material integrity, suitable manufacturing processes and cost implications of each aspect of design, prodction etc etc.

Also, will give the Mt Gravatt TAFE a ring as this would be perfect to gain the knowledge this will require so thanks 51jay

Cheers again guys and will check back into this thread for more advice/questions when I actually have a specific question, but thanks in the mean time and watch this space.......and the marine sector for a new and innovative plastic product

Aye, Mick

P.S. Assuming this makes if off my scrap book and into some kind of production.......anyone know anything about patenting, trademarking and IP etc........so many questions and people I am going to have to pay

Mick,
Before deciding on process or materials you probably need to also (and probably already have) consider the following
Acceptable quality - Is it a cosmetic part or a functional part.
Performance criteria - Will influence material selection and perhaps process.
Quantities & Unit price - Along with Performance criteria will influence process

For argument sake

Rapid prototype part ie Stereolithography, Fused Deposition modelling, Selective laser Sintering is good for 1- 5 units for form and fit perhaps function in the right application. SLS has been used for larger quantities for production purposes in a varity of industries such as aerospace etc.

Silicone tooling and polyurethane parts 1- 20 parts Form fit and limited functionality. ( more can be obtained from multiple cavities) from a prototype point of view very quick way to get parts that look like the real deal ie colour, textures, mimic material properties in a very short time frame. Nice thing with these materials a wide variety of hardnesses available Shore A10 - A90 rubber simulants through to Shore D45-D85 Rigid Plastic simulants.

Reaction Injection Moulding (RIM) 1-1000s of parts tools can be made from simple fabricated moulds to steel tooling parts are still polyurethane but of a better quality. Typical parts are body kits for cars, large short run mouldings like gaming machine facias etc.

Injection Moulding few as a 100 parts to full production quantities
utilising tools made from everything from aluminum filled epoxy for a few parts, aluminum tooling for short run or prototype parts in production intent material to full on steel tooling for production quantities.


Assuming your Queensland based you could also talk to the guys at the Queensland Manufacturing Institute for more info as well.