The process of material selection in product design is often underestimated in its complexity. At Product Prints, we integrate Design Thinking and Design For Six Sigma strategies early on, ensuring a robust material selection process. Initially, factors like physical strength and durability against temperature or weathering guide our material choices. As design progresses, we also consider aesthetics and manufacturability, focusing on aspects such as surface finish and material flow, particularly for plastic molds. Thermoplastics, for instance, offer a versatile range suitable for various needs.
Another crucial aspect is how materials interact in a design, considering factors like sliding, expansion, contraction, and scratching. These considerations are vital in ensuring the durability and functionality of the final product.
Broadly, material categories include:
Metals: Ideal for high-strength, high-volume products like structures and power transmission. Despite higher tooling costs, economies of scale often balance this out.
Glass: Used in architecture, windows, tableware, and more, glass is valued for its aesthetic and chemical stability, as well as its resilience to weathering.
Ceramics: Suited for high-heat applications in industries like aerospace and electronics, ceramics are also chemically stable and shapeable, making them excellent for kitchenware. They offer high strength but can be brittle.
Polymers (Plastics): With diverse chemical compositions, plastics like silicones balance volume, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
Composites: These materials are ideal for applications requiring a high strength-to-weight ratio, though their use is often limited to lower-volume products due to intensive manufacturing processes. They are prevalent in aerospace, marine, and automotive racing industries.
Material selection is a critical component of the supply chain, and its resilience is a key factor in our engineering analysis. We ensure that the materials chosen meet essential design requirements like strength and environmental durability.
Ultimately, the goal is to create products that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also perform flawlessly. Material selection is a significant part of this process, and at Product Prints, we are committed to guiding our clients towards successful product design.
