Dates:
To be verified.
Duration: 6 morning sessions
Location: Online
Accreditation: Certificate of attendance
Full Fee: €950
Course code: PDOL
Programme overview
We are delighted to introduce our revamped Plastic Part Design Online course. Encompassing the existing content from our previous programme, the course has been updated to include the latest advances in materials, technology and processes as well as sustainability and best practice.
Course Schedule:
| Day | Date | Time (Provisional – subject to change) | Session |
| Tuesday | 30th January 2024 | 09.30 – 13.00 | Session 1 of 6 |
| Wednesday | 31st January 2024 | 09.30 – 13.00 | Session 2 of 6 |
| Thursday | 01st February 2024 | 09.30 – 13.00 | Session 3 of 6 |
| Tuesday | 06th February 2024 | 09.30 – 13.00 | Session 4 of 6 |
| Wednesday | 07th February 2024 | 09.30 – 13.00 | Session 5 of 6 |
| Thursday | 08th February 2024 | 09.30 – 13.00 | Session 5 of 6 |
All sessions will be recorded so if you miss a session you can catch up by viewing the recorded session.
While this course assumes no prior knowledge about plastic part design it is very beneficial to have prior knowledge of the common characteristics of polymer materials and a basic understanding of principal polymer processing methods. Many existing plastic products and new products converted from metals are redesigned in order to simplify production and reduce costs. Designers have to be aware of the unique nature of plastics and how to effectively design with these materials if useful products are to be made. Existing plastic part designers will need to update their knowledge base to effectively design parts from new high performance polymers for medical, automotive and aerospace applications in particular.
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 the 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 thicknes , etc , 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
