Ok
You are working on a demanding program
Time is scarce
You get a DFM for an important part

AaaaaaggggHHHhhhh !!
Where will you get the time to do a full review?
Here’s an optionTake twenty minutes
Run through these nine thingsKeep things rolling

PD and the Tooling engineers need to be new-best-friends.

Hang out.

Query the CAD.

Play around with the physical prototype models.

This engagement will help the Tooling Engineer get a better feel for the part function.

The part aspiration.

The PD engineer will become aware of a few manufacturing risks.

And get extra ideas on making the part better and easier to make.

Everyone wins.

MoldFlow: How is cooling + warp managed?

Can Moldflow help pre-solve warp and cooling issues?
How can the gap between Moldflow and Tool be reduced?

Is there a methodology for obtaining maximum value?

Read on to learn more.

Let’s go.

I was in the middle of the critical stages of a big, big program.

A complex product with challenging geometry and tricky surface-finish requirements.

It had all the factors and engineering head-scratchers that every tooling engineer relishes.

Fifteen parts to be molded. More than half were cosmetic dependent.

The projected yearly and lifetime volumes were enormous.

Big volumes. Yipeeee.

But you know what that means?

Yes. You got it.

We had to involve multiple vendors.

And more vendors means more fun. Right?

Gulp.

At the beginning of DVT we noticed that Vendor B was doing much, much better than Vendor A.

Hmmmmmmmm, I thought. That’s strange.

Oh no!

There’s serious sink on your part.

Part geometry has some transitions and features but nothing that should create sink.

Sink is happening at unexpected locations.

Take a deep breath.
Tell me more.

What did you do to solve this issue?

The customer <==> vendor relationship is key to all manufacturing success.

Yes, vendor and customer have different agendas, objectives and pressures.

But there are huge common overlaps where both parties can gain significant advantage.

Establish an early relationship with your vendor.

Imagine yourself as a member of the vendor’s team.

Help them with their problems. Listen to their challenges.

Support them when things break. It’s manufacturing ==> stuff breaks all the time.

That’s life.

RESIDENCE TIME is not a definitive data point.

It’s a reference only.

A reference that makes the Tooling Engineer say . .

" Hmmmm, that could be an issue;

Worth checking out a bit more. "

You are probably thinking - I thought Residence Time was a clear go - no-go?

Why is Residence Time just s reference?