5 STEPS TO MAKING YOUR IDEA REAL

1. Create A CAD Drawing

* Have an idea or sketch with your dimensions and expectations for the design
* Design the product with the computer program like CAD

2. Plan and Choose the Correct Plastics, Expectations

* Ask Specific Questions:
* What are the conditions under which the product will be used such as temperature, moisture, ultraviolet exposure, chemicals, electrical resistance, physical properties, colorability, and resistance to scratching?
* What tolerance requirements are expected in the performance of the product?
* WIll the product be under any stresses, exposure to impact, bending or gliding?
* Is color matching a factor?
* What is the cost per inch of material? Its weight?
* Cover approval requirements-underwriters, Pure Food Administration, military, and others.

3.Have a Good Marketing Plan & Research Target Market

* Research the four P's: Product, Place, Promotion and Price.
* Make a list of the actions that will be taken to market with the product.
* Perform a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of the product and also competing products.
* Segment the market that you will be targeting and determine how the product will be used and how to reach perspective buyers using the most effective marketing tool.

4. Prototype SLA of the Plastic Part

* Stereolithography (SLA) begins with a 3D CAD file, which is mathematically sliced into 2D cross sections. For information ont he SLA process, click here.
* SLA is the most accurate and trusted rapid prototyping technology in the industry.
* It can create concept models, masters and patterns in a matter of hours from any popular CAD system.

5. Produce Mold to Fit Price Points of the Plastics Parts

* Choose a material for molding production:
* QC7 Mold Aluminum is a high impact aluminum, is quicker to machine and maintains CNC milling tool life.
* Pre-hardened 4140 Mold Steel is easy machining and the mold does not need to go through a hardening stage. It holds good tolerances without heat changes in tool steel hardening.
* Tool Steels S7, A2, D2 and Stainless Steel are tool steels that have to be hardened after machining to maintain optimum Rockwell Hardness. These different types of steels are primarily used for slides, cors and where durable strength is needed in the mold tool.