Plastic Part Design Process

Using the latest in CAD solid modeling software we can assist you in fine tuning a plastic part design or provide a complete mold design from your concepts. We offer 2-D drawings, 3-D designs, and STL files. American Precision Products can help you produce a better quality part.

We have developed a five stage process to facilitate the development of plastic parts.

  1. Material Selection
    In this initial stage we evaluate your application with an extensive questionnaire we have develop to help pinpoint critical material properties that may be required.  Also we complete a complete life cycle evaluation of your product, from cradle to grave, so that we can make the best recommendations we possibly can.
     During this initial stage we will put you in direct contact with the material manufacturers if it is necessary.
  2. Design
    We evaluate your products requirements and coupled with the material choices available help you develop the most economical design.  If required we will contact the material suppliers to gain their valuable input into this process
  3. Process
    This step matches the material and the design with a process that is economical and appropriate.
     These first three stages are the core of any design and will determine the majority of your final product?s cost.
  4. Prototyping
    This phase is not always required but is usually highly recommended. Often the materials selected need to be applied to your exact design to see if they perform as expected (see Rapid Prototyping).  In this stage you can experiment and modify your design to best meet your criteria
    This important step allows you actual molded parts to prove and evaluate your design. With prototype parts you have bought significant insurance that your product will perform as designed since prototype parts will almost exactly match the production molded parts.
  5. Approval
    At this final stage, before production begins, we seek all approvals. This includes yours as well as any outside agencies or customers (UL, FDA, etc.).  If there are any doubts the process can restart at any stage so that the best design can be formulated.<