The manufacturing process you choose to produce your plastic part will influence numerous aspects of the final product. For this reason, it’s imperative not to make the decision of which process to use lightly. To make the most advantageous selection, here are some of the most important things to consider when picking a plastic manufacturing process.
The Complexity of the Part
When choosing a manufacturing process, one of the most important factors to take into consideration is the complexity of your part design. After all, you don’t want to have to make design sacrifices due to choosing a manufacturing process that isn’t capable of producing the level of intricacy you desire. If you plan on creating a plastic part with a complex part geometry, make sure to select a manufacturing process that offers a high degree of design freedom and lower tooling costs, such as reaction injection molding.
The Production Volume
Another important factor to consider when picking a plastic manufacturing process is the desired production volume of your part. Before choosing a process, you should have at least a rough estimate of the number of products you wish to produce. In addition to knowing your process is capable of producing the number of parts that you require, knowing your ideal production volume is essential to choosing the most financially advantageous process.
The Cost
The cost of the manufacturing process is also a key factor to take into consideration. If you want to produce a product with a high production volume, you should prioritize a low individual part production cost. However, if you want to produce a plastic product with a lower production volume, choosing a process with a lower tooling cost will likely offset higher individual part production prices.
The Lead Time
If your project has a tight deadline, the lead time of the manufacturing process you choose will also need to be a top consideration. Before making your decision, make sure the manufacturing process will be able to be completed according to the time constraints of your project.
