All too often people quote “Please quote the design and build a class A mold, capable of producing x, xxx, xxx, xxx parts per the attached design with a CpK of 1.33” What have you really asked for? Did they even ask the right question? Or, is it like your 8 year old daughter answering your question with “Because”, thinking it’s a complete answer. Continue Reading »

Recently I got into a discussion on assembly techniques:  The project was an item requiring a hermetic seal; basically wanting to keep dry.  It was that little computer that lives behind the billboard that tells you how much money you won’t win in the lottery. What is the best (read cheapest least capital intensive) method? Continue Reading »

I was talking with Bubba (25 year veteran of Molding and he Knew — IT —  All, Thank You!):  “It’s a 500 ton machine” I said, “Why is the clamp pressure 450 tons?”  After expertly hucking a wad of chew into a coffee can on the floor he said: “’Cuz the damn thing won’ give me no 500 tons.”  End of a non-conversation.  Not that either of us are right or wrong; but why is set there? Continue Reading »

Times have changed.  Many companies have finally figured out ‘Kost is Cing” isn’t.  Off shore sourcing degraded quality standards, upset delivery schedules and too many parts were being air freighted in.  Now molds are being brought back into the country and sourced (as they should be) locally.  But the relocation program can easily turn into a mess! Continue Reading »