In this issue:

• Free Webinar! Reduce Your Production Costs & Optimize Your Price Per Part
• Switching from Metals to Plastics - How it Can Help You Increase Profit Margins!
• An Introduction to Color Theory
• Hydrolysis Resistant PBT Help Connectors Withstand Hot, Humid Environments in Cars and Other Vehicles

Switching from Metals to Plastics has recently been a hot topic that's just getting hotter! Our friends at Ticona provide you with an article on how switching can help you increase your profit margins.

Here are some other resourceful sites that discuss converting and switching from Metals to Plastics.

Warmest wishes,
The IDES Team

Free Webinar! Reduce Your Production Costs & Optimize Your Price Per Part

Join Ticona Engineering Polymers for a 60 minute complimentary web seminar on reducing your production costs and optimizing your price per part by using Vectra® LCP, a high-performance liquid crystal polymer. In this short course, you'll learn tactics on how to generate faster cycle times and improve molded part properties.

May 4 at 9am EST - Register Today!

Switching from Metals to Plastics - How it Can Help You Increase Profits!
Zan Smith, Charles McChesney and Ken Fletcher, Ticona

The use of plastics in place of metals is helping many manufacturers maintain profit margins as costs and competition increase. These manufacturers are finding that the switch also improves products, gets them to the market faster, reduces total finished assembly costs, and often combines production of many parts into one economical step.

This article identifies basic steps and requirements to conduct an efficient, successful conversion to plastics, reviewing the metal - replacement design process from concept to production. Discussions address the benefits of metals replacement, how to select the design team, key considerations of the conceptual design process, plastic issues, part and mold tool design, and overall tooling, fabrication, initial part design, and prototyping. The emphasis is on injection molding because it is the major process that is used in metals replacement.

Download Free PDF Report from The Plastics Store™.

An Introduction to Color Theory
by Bruce Mulholland, Ticona

People usually associate color with physical objects that are viewed in sharp contrast to their surroundings: be it a beautiful flower arrangement, or a colorful spinnaker on a sailboat against a dreary gray sky. In addition to colored objects, color is also associated with creating overall visual impressions which set certain moods, tell the time of day, or indicate certain climates or temperature. Furthermore, color can be used to create emotions or stimulate feelings such as artist’s colors in paintings and a designer’s choice of colors in decorating a room.

Hydrolysis Resistant PBT Help Connectors Withstand Hot, Humid Environments in Cars and Other Vehicles

FCI, a leading developer of connectors and interconnect systems, has chosen a hydrolysis resistant grade of Celanex® polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) for its Apex® 150 1.5 mm connector line. This resin, Celanex® PBT 3309HR, which is made by Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, was selected for its ability to withstand moisture and retain its dimensions at elevated temperatures in automotive and other applications. View the full story here | More info on connectors

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