Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course a candidate will be able to:
- Construct a basic polymer product design specification
- Design a basic polymer product from first principles
- Understand the influence of polymer processing upon design and final properties
- Understand the influence of specific polymer properties upon design
- Undertake basic quality appraisal of new polymer products
- Differentiate between polymer processing, tool design or product design defects
- Demonstrate and apply a basic knowledge of good polymer design practice.
Who Is This Course For
- Designer makers
- Product designers
- Mechanical engineers working with polymers
- Polymer product engineers
- Polymer product supply and sourcing
- QA assessors of polymer products
- Management of polymer product development projects
- Processors and manufacturers of polymer products.
Course Content
- Session 1
- Introduction to Plastic Materials, nature & properties explained from a design perspective.
- Session 2
- Nature of Polymer Flow, flow properties, shear effect & pressure drop calculations covered.
- Session 3
- Polymer Thermal Characteristics, thermal properties, shrinkage, carbon footprint & stressing.
- Session 4
- Polymer Design Requirement Spec, inc. mechanical, thermal, chemical, aesthetic properties covered.
- Session 5
- Injection Moulded Part Design 1, inc. process theory, mould designs for different applications and machine layouts.
- Session 6
- Injection Moulded Part Design 2, inc. gate selection, point of balance, drafting, wall thickness covered.
- Session 7
- Injection Moulded Part Design 3, inc. good and bad injection moulded product design practices explained.
- Session 8
- Injection Moulded Part Defects, explanation of product design, mould design, processing and polymer related defects explained.
- Session 9
- Blow Moulding & Product Design, inc. BM processes & product design requirements.
Trainer Profile
Peter Cracknell has over 40 years experience in the Plastics Industry. Initially he served his time as an injection mould toolmaker (Metal Box), production engineer (Metal Box), senior production engineer (BOC), senior lecturer (LSPT), academic leader in polymer engineering (LSPT), Consulting engineer.
Expertise: Injection moulded part design, mould tool design, plastic materials, processing trouble shooting, experienced lecturer (30 years), BETC assessor for NVQ in Polymer Engineering, expert witness (30 years experience).
Qualifications: HNC Mechanical & Prod Eng, GradPRI – ALSPT First Class hons. C&G Risk Assessment, BTEC NVQ Assessor
Assessment & Accreditation
This programme is a QQI component (minor) award, certified at Level 5 on the national framework of qualifications – see www.nfq.ie and is an elective component of major award 5M3080 – Plastics Injection Moulding.
The assessment is comprised of a written exam on the last day of the course plus an assignment that is due to be submitted 4- 6 weeks after the end of the course. An exact date and submission link is given to each course participant, with full guidance and support given by the Trainer. Trainees generally complete this assignment in their own time, over the period allocated.