Transformation of Metal into Plastic
With years of experience in converting metal components into plastic, we have helped OEMs improve their products, reduce costs, and streamline the manufacturing process. In comparison with machining metal components, plastic allows for more complex shapes to be molded at a lower cost.
It is crucial to introduce and improve engineered plastic resins with the strength and durability to compete with metals. Aside from having higher impact strength, fatigue life, and recoverable deformation, plastic components often have better wear surfaces and lower friction.
Benefits
- Designs consolidate parts and create additional performance features
- Ability for more complex shapes and geometries
- Opportunity to combine materials for enhanced features using multi-shot molding, overmolding or insert molding
- Increased strength and durability
- Enhanced decoration or labeling with in-mold decorating and labeling
- Improved aesthetics
- Ability to maintain close tolerances
- Plastic materials and construction absorb impact and reduce noise
- Lighter weight components for improved product performance
Advantages
The plastic injection molding process is faster and more consistent than metal fabrication, realizing cost savings in the following ways:
- Reduced secondary operations, such as painting, machining or assembly
- Improved production consistency
- Reduced part/product weight – reduced shipping and operating costs
- Product improvements resulting in increased customer satisfaction and decreased warranty issues
- Streamlined manufacturing cost savings
- Reduced scrap and waste
- Part consolidation
Applications
OEMs in wide array of industries look to WEISS Precision for insight and engineering expertise in evaluating conversion of an existing product or part from metal to plastic, including:
- Construction equipment
- Industrial pumps
- Fluid power applications
- Agricultural equipment
- Powersport vehicles
- Trucking equipment
- Off-road vehicles
- Consumer products
- Appliances