Design News for Mechanical and Design Engineers

Today, resistance welding takes many forms across numerous applications in diverse market segments.
While each company must decide the most efficient welding technology for its various operations, the parameters that govern such decisions often change, sometimes rather quickly over short time intervals. This means decision makers must constantly monitor welding processes to ensure the right technology is applied to each application and done so in a cost effective manner.

Numerous finish options are available for aluminum extrusions and selecting a surface finish of an extruded component can be a critical design decision. During the extrusion process, a corrosion-resistant film forms on the surface that provides a durable protective barrier. Additional protective barrier. Additional finishes will depend on the aesthetic and functional requirements of the extruded part and finished product.

Need a component that is hardy enough to take on high temperatures, corrosion or wear? Ceramics pay provide the ideal solution. Building on extensive Metal Injection Molding (MIM) capabilities that it has offered engineers since 1996, Phillips Plastics has now launched ceramic injection molding (CIM) for customers looking for an alternative to plastics and metals, as well as costlier ceramic processes. 

Need a component that is hardy enough to take on high temperatures, corrosion or wear? Ceramics pay provide the ideal solution. Building on extensive Metal Injection Molding (MIM) capabilities that it has offered engineers since 1996, Phillips Plastics has now launched ceramic injection molding (CIM) for customers looking for an alternative to plastics and metals, as well as costlier ceramic processes.

When a large Midwestern building manufacturer had a strong need to improve the way their product was assembled their thoughts immediately turned to the unfortunate potential for increased cost in solving their problem. Find out how innovation has been the process to connect quality and cost savings. When a large Midwestern building manufacturer had a strong need to improve the way their product was assembled their thoughts immediately turned to the unfortunate potential for increased cost in solving their problem. Find out how innovation has been the process to connect quality and cost savings.

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that creates a significantly thicker layer of oxide than occurs naturally. This provides protection against mechanical wear and corrosion at the same time as electrically insulating the surface.

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that creates a significantly thicker layer of oxide than occurs naturally. This provides protection against mechanical wear and corrosion at the same time as electrically insulating the surface.

Etching is a process that either takes place in acid or alkali solutions. It removes small, evenly distributed impurities on the surface such as oil, dirt and the ever-present oxide layer.

Special surface finishes can be achieved by mechanical treatment such as polishing and brushing. These methods remove all small faults on the surface, provide uniformity and make further treatment possible for a reflective or decorative surface.

Updated OEM Quick Guide to optimizing surface coating and finishing decisions for Al, Mg & Zn die cast parts: Coatings in widest use, comparative cost & performance data, illustrated design tips for highest quality results. Available 24/7 from CWM's OEM online resources—over 60 PDF design aids. For Quick Guide content details & downloading, go to www.cwm-lit.info/sf3

Protomold's Sample Cube has been designed to illustrate several important considerations when designing any part to be injection molded. The cube showcases a range of available surface finishes and examples of good and bad form for bosses, gussets, and ribs. It also demonstrates the impact on part quality of overly thick or thin sections, as well as ways to incorporate holes and their potential effect on resin flow.