Design of Plastic Parts

Catalog description

Designing plastic parts utilizing CAD, FEA, and CAE technologies for the design and for structural, dimensional, and process evaluation and optimization. PL ET 350 Design of Plastic Parts (4) The educational object of this course is to develop knowledge in the process of designing plastic parts and products. The course focuses on the critical relationship between the part design and the plastic material, tooling and the specific manufacturing methods used to produce the part. Use of CAE technologies are used for enhancing concurrent engineering strategies and evaluating manufacturability of a design. The course develops special design guidelines to accommodate plastic material characteristics and production requirements. The course also addresses issues of assembly and decoration of plastic parts. Upon completing the course students will demonstrate competency in relating how engineering properties of plastic materials and their unique characteristics relate to product design. This includes understanding visoelasticity and the effects of time, strain, rate, temperature and environment on plastic materials and the product. During this course students will build upon the knowledge gained in previous courses on strength of materials, plastic materials, part and tool design and finite element methods. Student competency is assessed by graded quizzes, examinations, homework, and special assignments. The course is offered once per year with an enrollment of 40-50 students.