Selecting Metal Inserts for Molded Plastics

對於MW自己的，Carlton Tanner，他和插入供應商經常被迫組成，以幫助他們選擇的插入問題的OEM。Tanner是Blackland Precision硬件的高級經理 - 基於德克薩斯州的電子和商業硬件，鉚釘和插入件的經銷商。

“This is particularly the case when the OEM gives us an insert order for a new product and the specs are sketchy, which happens fairly often,” says Tanner.

由於有數以千計的插入選項可用，每個都旨在滿足某些應用要求，因此並不總是簡單，指定OD，ID，長度和線程計數。

Tanner emphasizes that even the most knowledgeable customers are wise to heed the advice of insert experts on their designs. He describes one such instance where an injection molder working for a major automaker had spec’d a threaded brass insert with diamond knurling for a new product they were set to produce.

“幸運的是，OEM用插入件進行了初步測試，在那裏它變得明顯，他們選擇的設計對於他們的生產過程有點有問題，”Tanner解釋道。“在他們可以放置百萬加零件訂單之前，他們需要一個快速的解決方案。”

擔心這個問題可以強迫生產備份，成本升起，並錯過了OEM的交付，Tanner向其主要插入供應商，MW Industries發出了問題。MW專門用於塑料的螺紋插入件和壓縮限製器。

“我們發現的是，插入刀片的滾花表麵略微削減，在運輸過程中，隨著插入件被裝載到注塑係統（標準操作）中，”Tanner說。“結果，這些小芯片的積累了解自動注塑過程，導致昂貴的計劃停機。”

技術支持團隊評估了注塑機的規格，並考慮了在製作泰勒的圖紙之前考慮了最終產品的各種要求，以便用模塑商審查。那些包括修改卷曲的想法，或者在插入件外部的凹槽圖案（通常是菱形）有助於保持其位置。

Additionally, to prevent any minor chippings during shipment from entering the production, the technical support team suggested adding a layer of mesh to the bottom of the insert shipping container and an adhesive coating to the bottom of the container. The mesh would function as a sieve, through which the chips can fall during transit; these errant chips will then stick to the adhesive surface on the bottom of the container.

在另一個例子中，OEM /塑料模塑商是用於商業汁分類機​​組件的采購插入件，在自助餐廳和餐館中經常看到的類型。

“Because orange and grapefruit juices are highly acidic, the issue was that they would eventually cause a corrosion problem with a metal insert,” said Aaron Edelson, MW's sales engineer.

飲料分配器OEM具有規格的插入物，其需要確保耐腐蝕屏障的昂貴的次電鍍操作。

在這種情況下，Edelson建議客戶使用不鏽鋼插入件。這將使它不受腐蝕，從而保護果汁免受腐蝕產生的任何雜質。

The demand for stainless steel is increasing in many industries, from food & beverage, medical, and marine to integrated circuit manufacturers.

雖然插入製造商的技術支持團隊對每個設計進行審核很重要，但它們也應該有能力讀取，寫和修改CAD文件和等距圖紙。一些製造商還包括來自他們網站的可下載CAD信息，以獲取大多數標準目錄項目。這允許工程師通過在其應用中使用的插入件來可視化和驗證其設計概念。

Edelson adds that often an inquiry from him intending to confirm the specifications of an insert can lead a distributor or OEM/molder to a breakthrough in quality or service life.

“The teamwork among the engineering staff of the OEM customer and technical services/design staff of the insert manufacturer can create a type of synergy that results in superior product performance as well as cost and downtime savings,” Edelson says.

This story was originally published byDesignWorld。