Feb 14, 2020

Micro molding - successful cooperation between OEM and micro molding expert

Micro optics from micro molding expert Accumold
Source: Accumold
Feb 14, 2020
Most, if not all, OEMs undertaking micro molding at scale outsource their production, so the “way” that micro molding works, while relevant, should not be seen as a barrier to engagement. In a nutshell, a chosen micro molding expert will take away the need for customers to understand the vagaries of the characteristics of thermoplastics when molding small! However, there are a number of other areas that any OEM must begin to focus beyond the micro molding process.

"Design for Manufacturing" for successful micro molding 
 
DfM for micro molding is hugely important, and the expert in the room to offer advice and counselling is the expert micro molder, your product development partner. Very often, the less baked an idea is when the micro molder is engaged the better, as the earlier that the design of a micro product can be influenced and adjusted to optimize manufacturing outcomes, the better in terms of cost and timeliness of production.
 
Essentially, DfM ensures that not only will the end product be fit-for-purpose but that it is also optimized for the production processes that will be used to manufacture it, in this case micro molding and automated assembly. The micro molding team that you work with should be able to advise on such issues as material choice, draft angles and undercuts, part lines, ejector pin locations, gate locations, the likely flow of material in the mold, wall thicknesses etc…
 
Micro tool technology as a key technology for precision molding
 
Perhaps the key enabling technology when it comes to micro molding is micro tooling. Micro tooling is an art in itself, and for OEMs it is vital that they work with micro molders that are able to design, build, and maintain molds in house, and also have the expertise and experience to optimize tool fabrication. It goes without saying that a micro molder should be expert in micro molding, but once again underpinning any success is not just engaging with a company that has the right kit, but ensuring that there is a collaborative relationship that allows total transparency at this stage of the product development process.
 
The differences between macro molding and micro molding are stark when it comes to the molding process per se. Every stage of the product development process in a micro manufacturing scenario is driven by an obsession with the attainment of micron and sub-micron tolerances, and when it comes to micro molding it is key that OEMs engage and work alongside a micro molder that has the business acumen and experience necessary, an expert team of engineers, an understanding of the correct manufacturing methodologies, and the tooling and processing expertise to ensure optimized outcomes.
 
Finally, when dealing with miniaturized plastic parts and components, the assembly part of the product development process must be discussed and considered early in the design cycle, again demanding a collaborative and pragmatic relationship between OEM and micro molder.
 
Transparency in the interest of the customer

To a greater or lesser extent, OEMs are relying on the micro molder to be their trusted guide in areas that they themselves are not best equipped to understand or exploit. But it is still a project that belongs to the customer, and it is always the customer that should be central to all conversations and reviews that take place during the product development process. Here, transparency is absolutely vital, ensuring that the OEM customer is always on the same page, understands the decision-making process, and works with the micro molder to problem solve and optimize outcomes while always ultimately being in control.

Contact: ajohnson@accu-mold.com
 

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