Why have BEC always done it \u2013 without the customer even asking for it?<\/strong><\/h3>\nand<\/p>\n
How does it save BEC customer\u2019s money?
\n<\/strong>
\nDesign for Manufacture? It\u2019s hugely important for functionality and optimal manufacturing.<\/strong><\/h3>\nOur DFM process starts the moment we first see a product. It should be called \u201cQuote & Flag\u201d really. We naturally end up flagging potential issues at the design for manufacture stage. Without it, we wouldn\u2019t be able to quote.<\/p>\n
Some of the things that need to be considered at this stage are:<\/p>\n
\n- How many do you need to produce?<\/li>\n
- What do you want each item to cost?<\/li>\n
- What\u2019s the timeframe?<\/li>\n
- How important is quality in the time, quality cost balance?<\/li>\n
- What type of material is best suited?<\/li>\n
- What are the external, chemical, environmental challenges?<\/li>\n
- Will it need to withstand water, heat, outside elements?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
We don\u2019t design the product; we design a tool for the product to be manufactured.
\n<\/strong>
\nKey considerations such as unit price, durability, scalability, productionisation (modifying the prototype into a version that can be easily mass-produced) are all taken into account during the DFM. We help designers to avoid any possible issues that could make it tricky or pricey to manufacture further down the line.<\/h3>\nWe give our advice from a manufacturer\u2019s perspective.
\n<\/strong>
\nAs plastic injection mould manufacturers, we highlight what the designer needs to think about when it comes to plastic injection mould, tooling and production.<\/h3>\nWe\u2019ve got decades of experience.<\/strong> Plastic injection moulding since Sony released the Walkman, and Maggie became the UK\u2019s first female Prime Minister!<\/p>\nIt\u2019s a deep-rooted understanding of plastic injection moulding that helps us to guide designers through the process and offer them the best options for their design so that they can make an informed decision.<\/p>\n
By addressing the DFM process at the early stages, this will aid production, for instance creating thinner walls to decrease cooling times and therefore reducing cycle times. For any design to be moulded, you\u2019ve got to start with your ideal \u201cfinal outcome\u201d and work back.<\/p>\n
In many recent projects we\u2019ve faced specific challenges such as; face visors that were quick to market (Protecting Heroes<\/a>), protective safety equipment trusted globally (Finger Saver<\/a>), overmoulding circuit boards and using mould flow to protect electronics (Velobleu<\/a>), and producing large quantities of cabling encased below sea level (Channel Tunnel<\/a>).<\/p>\nAll products which had particular considerations. And all products which benefited from a comprehensive design for manufacture process at the outset.<\/p>\n
We work with designers to help them avoid problems down the line.
\n<\/strong>
\nOn a recent look around Bournemouth University\u2019s Museum of Design in Plastics<\/a>, we had an interesting chat with upcoming designers, discussing what they need to consider when designing new plastic products and how the impact of product design collaboration \u2013 a collaborative process with plastic injection mould and tool manufacturers – only results in more successful, effective and marketable products at the customer\u2019s desired unit price.<\/h3>\nAll it takes is a conversation.<\/p>\n
A designer comes up with an idea. Approaches us in the early stages, perhaps with a prototype, or the first early stages of design and we add the plastic injection moulding, material, and tool perspectives – designing out the cost, tooling and production.<\/p>\n
Toolmakers and designers, we have the same goal, just from different perspectives. To give the customer what they want.<\/p>\n
A Project\u2019s concept to delivery is often depicted as a flow chart:
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.becgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Picture-1.png\")
<\/p>\n
The secret?<\/strong><\/h3>\nChannel your efforts, resources and time early on during the design process and DFM<\/strong>.<\/p>\nProblems are easier to resolve then.<\/p>\n
Absorbing as much injection mould manufacturing and tooling input from the process as you can. Resolving issues which could crop up in future with moulding, finalising the optimum tool, selecting materials, positioning gates, split lines, weak points, working out quantities, ideal quality and unit costs. Giving the designer options and getting that design absolutely nailed.<\/p>\n
Then and only then are you ready for production. Put the work in early and from then onwards production should be a smooth ride, with your product right first time. The interaction between cost and time throughout the design for manufacture process is pictured below; the longer you leave an issue to be rectified, the more it will end up costing.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.becgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/costs.png\")
<\/p>\n
My advice? Get the moulding and tooling side of things started straight away.<\/strong><\/h3>\nProblems do happen sometimes. But when they do, we always work to find a solution. Rather than just saying NO, going back to the customer with an alternative solution.<\/h3>\n
By having all 3 disciplines, design, tooling and moulding under one roof we\u2019re able to give the customer what they want.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t regret getting the answers to more questions early on. Ask us anything or to arrange a tour email hello@becgroup.com or call us 01425 613131 \u2026 we\u2019re here to help!<\/strong><\/p>\nTESTIMONIALS:<\/strong>
\nKeywing case study<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cGiving me insights and advice only experts could know \u2013 BEC worked hard to get my product to market so I could achieve my goals. And having the whole process in one place meant I had full visibility from start to finish.\u201d<\/strong><\/em>
\nGeoff Rolandsen, Founding Designer, Keywing<\/a><\/p>\nFingersaver<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cBEC worked with us to resolve a number of issues and provided an exceptional end-to-end plastic injection moulding service, from under one roof. Being local meant we could visit them regularly, giving us visibility at every stage of the project, making problem-solving quick and easy.\u201d<\/strong><\/em>
\nMartin Dennis, Specialised Engineering Products (SEP)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We sat down with our Head of Design & Innovation, Paul Holland, to learn all about BEC\u2019s Design for Manufacture process. Why is DFM so vital to the success of any plastic injection moulded product? Why have BEC always done it \u2013 without the customer even asking for it? and How does it save BEC customer\u2019s money? Design for Manufacture? It\u2019s hugely important for functionality and optimal manufacturing. Our DFM process starts the moment we first see a product. It should be called \u201cQuote & Flag\u201d really. We naturally end up flagging potential issues at the design for manufacture stage. Without it, we wouldn\u2019t be able to quote. Some of the things that need to be considered at this stage are: How many do you need to produce? What do you want each item to cost? What\u2019s the timeframe? How … Continue reading
\n<\/strong>
\nDesign for Manufacture? It\u2019s hugely important for functionality and optimal manufacturing.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Our DFM process starts the moment we first see a product. It should be called \u201cQuote & Flag\u201d really. We naturally end up flagging potential issues at the design for manufacture stage. Without it, we wouldn\u2019t be able to quote.<\/p>\n
Some of the things that need to be considered at this stage are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- How many do you need to produce?<\/li>\n
- What do you want each item to cost?<\/li>\n
- What\u2019s the timeframe?<\/li>\n
- How important is quality in the time, quality cost balance?<\/li>\n
- What type of material is best suited?<\/li>\n
- What are the external, chemical, environmental challenges?<\/li>\n
- Will it need to withstand water, heat, outside elements?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
We don\u2019t design the product; we design a tool for the product to be manufactured.
\n<\/strong>
\nKey considerations such as unit price, durability, scalability, productionisation (modifying the prototype into a version that can be easily mass-produced) are all taken into account during the DFM. We help designers to avoid any possible issues that could make it tricky or pricey to manufacture further down the line.<\/h3>\nWe give our advice from a manufacturer\u2019s perspective.
\n<\/strong>
\nAs plastic injection mould manufacturers, we highlight what the designer needs to think about when it comes to plastic injection mould, tooling and production.<\/h3>\nWe\u2019ve got decades of experience.<\/strong> Plastic injection moulding since Sony released the Walkman, and Maggie became the UK\u2019s first female Prime Minister!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a deep-rooted understanding of plastic injection moulding that helps us to guide designers through the process and offer them the best options for their design so that they can make an informed decision.<\/p>\n
By addressing the DFM process at the early stages, this will aid production, for instance creating thinner walls to decrease cooling times and therefore reducing cycle times. For any design to be moulded, you\u2019ve got to start with your ideal \u201cfinal outcome\u201d and work back.<\/p>\n
In many recent projects we\u2019ve faced specific challenges such as; face visors that were quick to market (Protecting Heroes<\/a>), protective safety equipment trusted globally (Finger Saver<\/a>), overmoulding circuit boards and using mould flow to protect electronics (Velobleu<\/a>), and producing large quantities of cabling encased below sea level (Channel Tunnel<\/a>).<\/p>\n
All products which had particular considerations. And all products which benefited from a comprehensive design for manufacture process at the outset.<\/p>\n
We work with designers to help them avoid problems down the line.
\n<\/strong>
\nOn a recent look around Bournemouth University\u2019s Museum of Design in Plastics<\/a>, we had an interesting chat with upcoming designers, discussing what they need to consider when designing new plastic products and how the impact of product design collaboration \u2013 a collaborative process with plastic injection mould and tool manufacturers – only results in more successful, effective and marketable products at the customer\u2019s desired unit price.<\/h3>\nAll it takes is a conversation.<\/p>\n
A designer comes up with an idea. Approaches us in the early stages, perhaps with a prototype, or the first early stages of design and we add the plastic injection moulding, material, and tool perspectives – designing out the cost, tooling and production.<\/p>\n
Toolmakers and designers, we have the same goal, just from different perspectives. To give the customer what they want.<\/p>\n
A Project\u2019s concept to delivery is often depicted as a flow chart:
\n<\/p>\nThe secret?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Channel your efforts, resources and time early on during the design process and DFM<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Problems are easier to resolve then.<\/p>\n
Absorbing as much injection mould manufacturing and tooling input from the process as you can. Resolving issues which could crop up in future with moulding, finalising the optimum tool, selecting materials, positioning gates, split lines, weak points, working out quantities, ideal quality and unit costs. Giving the designer options and getting that design absolutely nailed.<\/p>\n
Then and only then are you ready for production. Put the work in early and from then onwards production should be a smooth ride, with your product right first time. The interaction between cost and time throughout the design for manufacture process is pictured below; the longer you leave an issue to be rectified, the more it will end up costing.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nMy advice? Get the moulding and tooling side of things started straight away.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Problems do happen sometimes. But when they do, we always work to find a solution. Rather than just saying NO, going back to the customer with an alternative solution.<\/h3>\n
By having all 3 disciplines, design, tooling and moulding under one roof we\u2019re able to give the customer what they want.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t regret getting the answers to more questions early on. Ask us anything or to arrange a tour email hello@becgroup.com or call us 01425 613131 \u2026 we\u2019re here to help!<\/strong><\/p>\n
TESTIMONIALS:<\/strong>
\nKeywing case study<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cGiving me insights and advice only experts could know \u2013 BEC worked hard to get my product to market so I could achieve my goals. And having the whole process in one place meant I had full visibility from start to finish.\u201d<\/strong><\/em>
\nGeoff Rolandsen, Founding Designer, Keywing<\/a><\/p>\nFingersaver<\/a><\/p>\n
\u201cBEC worked with us to resolve a number of issues and provided an exceptional end-to-end plastic injection moulding service, from under one roof. Being local meant we could visit them regularly, giving us visibility at every stage of the project, making problem-solving quick and easy.\u201d<\/strong><\/em>
\nMartin Dennis, Specialised Engineering Products (SEP)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We sat down with our Head of Design & Innovation, Paul Holland, to learn all about BEC\u2019s Design for Manufacture process. Why is DFM so vital to the success of any plastic injection moulded product? Why have BEC always done it \u2013 without the customer even asking for it? and How does it save BEC customer\u2019s money? Design for Manufacture? It\u2019s hugely important for functionality and optimal manufacturing. Our DFM process starts the moment we first see a product. It should be called \u201cQuote & Flag\u201d really. We naturally end up flagging potential issues at the design for manufacture stage. Without it, we wouldn\u2019t be able to quote. Some of the things that need to be considered at this stage are: How many do you need to produce? What do you want each item to cost? What\u2019s the timeframe? How … Continue reading