Plastics Technology - Dedicated to improving Plastics Processing.
Issue link: http://pty.epubxp.com/i/105397
rapid prototyping several notches to its belt in terms of both experience and business expansion. Spectrum plaSticS Group Addressing Spectrum's (spectrumplasticsgroup.com)decision to acquire two RP/AM companies, director of marketing Tim Nakari says, "We have been asked to provide more value to the product development and production process than just supplying parts. Our customers need a partner in product development who can provide design feedback, physical prototypes, and a number of "bridge" production solutions prior to full-scale tooling and molding, so that's the service we chose to provide. "The second reason is the clear differentiation this additional offering provides," Nakari continues. "Our combination of both Quick-Turn tooling and production-level tooling, and our capability for merging the two, makes what we do as unique as it is compelling." Quick-Turn tooling was so named because it offers shorter lead times than multicavity production tooling but offers suffcient quality to be used as a "bridge" tool for limited production until the production tool is built. Nakari says it provides lower part quantity than a production mold, but higher quality than typical rapid tooling. Spectrum's Tim Erwin explains that the company's original business plan was to roll divergent plastics companies into one complete "spectrum" of services from product design advice and guidance through production services—molding, decoration, assembly, packaging, ship-to-stock. "One tool in our toolbox is the RP business. We aren't and never intended to be a major supplier of RP services. We offer RP as part of a total package." According to Erwin, many businesses have made the mistake of trimming back on engineering and now need assistance in the basics—most notably in plastic part design and material guidance. "Many concepts come to us devoid of any common and well-developed plastics design principles. Usually, after getting over a rough patch of patiently explaining why the product is not moldable or producible, we can offer to steer the customer closer to something it can actually mold and manufacture." Typically, this involves a fee, but not always. Customers that partner up with a full-service supplier can have this cost rolled into the program. Erwin adds, "This is a very touchy area, and One of several disposable components Spectrum Plastics makes for DNA analysis. SLA model on left, QTM (Quick Turn Molding) part on right. you can get duped pretty easily if you're not on your toes. Customers love 'free stuff,' and some try to get you to offer designchange suggestions up front so they can get apples-to-apples quotes from a number of suppliers. However, if you can avoid these pitfalls, integrated RP is a powerful sales tool in quoting a complete package of engineering services through production." Challenges cited by Nakari include educating Spectrum's client base and its own sales and program-management teams about its RP capabilities and about how Spectrum's QuickTurn tooling and Dynaclass system differ from other rapidtooling services. A series of sell sheets, a capability matrix presentation, and an iPad application were all created to bridge this education gap. Erwin emphasizes the value of RP in the design process, particularly when dealing with customers who may not have much clue as to what their parts will look like. The RP parts give them a frst look. "RP is great for appearance models and even better for landing a contract. We have visited prospective customers where we've reviewed their designs, offered suggestions, and are meeting their team face to face for the frst time. Whipping out a set of stereolithography 3D models (yes, for Currier Plastics developed this demonstration to show its customers the steps followed to create a 3D, digitally printed part—in this case, an actual canister and lid package that's decorated with a shrink sleeve. Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 clean off support material. let parts dry. assemble parts. FiniShed Model Plastics technology February 2013 31