Designing Living Hinges That Fold Flat and Last
A living hinge may be one of the simplest-looking features in plastic part design. It contains: Just a thin section of plastic connecting two rigid bodies. Yet despite its simplicity, the living hinge is one of the most frequently misdesigned features in injection molding. Many hinge failures occur long before the product reaches the customer. […]
The Real Cost of Complex Features in Injection Molded Parts
Many of the most useful features in plastic part design are also the ones most likely to complicate a mold. Snap fits eliminate screws. Living hinges eliminate assembly operations. Overmolded grips improve ergonomics. Bosses provide attachment points. Logos and molded text enhance product branding. From a product design perspective, these features often make perfect sense. […]