In today’s world, if you’re serious about creating, inventing, or improving a product, you can’t avoid one crucial step: 3D design. Whether you’re developing a new product or refining an existing one, the first question any manufacturer will ask is: Do you have a 2D drawing or a 3D model? This is especially true for plastic injection moulding, where accuracy and manufacturability are everything.
At Convert Design, we provide CAD modelling services to help businesses create manufacturable products. We work closely with clients and plastic injection moulders to ensure the design process goes smoothly from start to finish.
Why 3D Design Is Essential for Plastic Injection Moulding
If you want to create a product using plastic injection moulding, having a 3D model is a must. A 3D model is the digital representation of the product, showing all its shapes, surfaces, and dimensions. Without this, a moulding toolmaker can’t do their job.
Here’s why:
- Creating the Mould: A toolmaker needs the 3D model to carve out a negative impression of your product (the mould). This mould will be filled with molten plastic, which is cooled and solidifies to form your product.
- Ensuring Precision: The 3D model ensures the toolmaker knows every detail of your product’s surface so they can make it as accurate as possible.
At Convert Design, we make sure the 3D model we create is detailed and accurate so that toolmakers can do their job efficiently.
How 2D Drawings Fit In
In addition to the 3D model, 2D drawings are always needed. These drawings show your product from multiple views and include all important dimensions, such as height, width, and depth.
The key role of the 2D drawing is to provide the toolmaker with:
- Dimensional Details: Exact measurements that need to be followed during manufacturing.
- Tolerances: Specifications for how much variation is allowed in the size of certain features. Tolerances are important because they ensure the parts fit together correctly when assembled.
Together, 2D drawings and 3D models form the foundation for manufacturing your product accurately and efficiently.
Our Role in Supporting Plastic Injection Moulding
At Convert Design, we work closely with several plastic injection moulders. Many times, moulders receive enquiries from clients who want a new product but don’t have a 3D model or 2D drawing ready. This is where we step in.
We support the moulders by working with their clients to create manufacturable designs. While it’s easy to get caught up in making a product look sleek or innovative, manufacturability is often overlooked. If the product isn’t designed with the manufacturing process in mind, it can lead to delays, additional costs, or even redesigns.
That’s why we focus on Design for Manufacture (DFM).
What Is Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Why Is It Important?
DFM is the process of designing a product so that it’s easy and cost-effective to manufacture. It involves considering factors such as:
- Material Flow: Ensuring plastic can flow smoothly through the mould.
- Part Ejection: Making sure the part can be removed from the mould without damage.
- Minimising Defects: Designing the product to reduce risks of warping, sink marks, or other common defects.
At Convert Design, our background in toolmaking gives us a deep understanding of plastic injection moulding. We handle around 90% of the DFM process, tailoring the design to the manufacturing needs of each project. The final adjustments are specific to each toolmaker’s preferences and requirements.
Turning Ideas into Reality
One of the most rewarding parts of our job is seeing a product go from a rough sketch to a fully functional item being tested or launched to the public. It’s satisfying to take a client’s initial idea and help turn it into something tangible.
We love working on research and development (R&D) projects because they allow us to innovate and push boundaries. When we’re handed a sketch or a rough idea, we dive deep into every detail to ensure the final product is something both we and our clients can be proud of.
Why Choose Convert Design for Your CAD Modelling Services?
If you’re developing a product for plastic injection moulding, partnering with Convert Design gives you access to:
- Expert CAD Modelling Services: We create precise 3D models and 2D drawings to ensure your product is manufacturable.
- DFM Expertise: Our designs are optimised to minimise manufacturing challenges and defects.
- Experience You Can Trust: With our background in toolmaking, we understand the entire manufacturing process and can anticipate potential issues before they arise.
Ready to Bring Your Product to Life?
Whether you’re creating a new product or improving an existing one, CAD design is essential for successful manufacturing. At Convert Design, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about our CAD modelling services and how we can support your next project!
