For parts where 3D printing may not be the most suitable option, the company has also introduced a new Rapid Aluminium Tooling service for the production of rapid prototypes and end-use parts with a turnaround time of 10 working days.

Now, with Plastic Part 3D’s additive manufacturing facility, the company is offering a more economical solution for projects requiring smaller quantities of 10-500 injection moulded parts or for the prototyping of designs before committing to traditional tooling.

Hanwha Advanced Materials also outlined its vision of next-generation car seats in a presentation at JEC Asia last year in Seoul, Korea. “The seat of tomorrow will be a place for working, taking a nap or even postural analysis in a wellness seat,” according to the company. Hanwha Advanced Materials expects to see the emergence of low-center-of-gravity designs that will contribute to an overall lower center of gravity in the vehicle and thereby contribute to overall vehicle safety.

The process involves the manufacture of injection moulding tooling cavity inserts from mould grade aluminium to fit the company’s existing mould tool bases. Plastic Parts Direct says production quantities can be as low as 10 or facilitate upwards of 10,000+ parts with a tool life expectancy running into years in many cases.

Scheduled for serial production in the near future, a seat frame compression-molded from a glass-mat-reinforced thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) composite delivers several advantages over incumbent conventional steel frames, according to its developer Hanwha Advanced Materials of South Korea. Besides an around 15–20% weight reduction versus steel (9.3 kg versus 10.98 kg in the current example), the plastic seat frame also enables a 60:40 split design option. This allows for the installation of three, three-point seatbelts. To boot, the GMT-PP composite possesses the necessary mechanical strength to be employed in the seatbelt anchor components.

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and is a proud dachshund owner.

UK manufacturer Plastic Parts Direct has launched a new 3D printing service for injection mould tools following a 50,000 GBP investment.

The company, which specialises in precision plastic injection moulding, tool making and model-making, has expanded its rapid prototyping, machine tooling and 3D printing capabilities to launch Plastic Parts 3D. First announced towards the end of last year, the new venture was introduced in response to a growing number of customers seeking small match mouldings who had previously been put off by high tooling costs associated with a small amount of product.

The future of car interior design is also likely to feature interchangeable/exchangeable car seats incorporating more functionality such as electronic adjustment functions, which will mean more emphasis on engineering out excess weight, potentially through the use of more plastics. The occupants can also look forward to more cabin space; if there are only three passengers, one car seat could be detached and left at home.

Further advantages include 22% fewer components (25 versus 37 for a steel frame), no corrosion issues and lower assembly costs, as there is no need for welding. Using plastics also expands design options such as locations to tether and retain luggage. Forward and rearward movements are also on a par with a steel frame.