Co-extruded TPU Living Hinge Solution
Wisconsin Plastic Products, a Pexco Company, uses Polymer Science coupled with design of experiments methodology to produce a game changing product for the retail display industry.
The Problem:
The Plan of Attack:
PLAN DEFINITION
Wisconsin Plastic Products, a Pexco Company, works to lay out a multi faceted approach that includes a shift in polymer grade and living hinge designs expected to optimize performance.
EXECUTION
Wisconsin Plastic Products, a Pexco Company, builds three prototype extrusion dies to be performance tested focusing on living hinge variables of durometer, thickness, and length.
PERFORMANCE TESTING
Wisconsin Plastic Products, a Pexco Company, quality uses the design of experiments methodology to test each extrusion batch for effective bend cycles prior to failure. Results are evaluated and shared with Wisconsin Plastic Products, a Pexco Company, engineering.
EXECUTION
Wisconsin Plastic Products, a Pexco Company, engineering uses preliminary cycle testing data to create a final extrusion design optimizing each control variable. A pre-production extrusion trial is executed for further performance evaluation. Wisconsin Plastic Products, a Pexco Company, quality rigorously cycle tests and gather positive results exceeding customer demand. Quality signals a “ go” to mass production.
The Solution
Wisconsin Plastic Products, a Pexco Company, optimizations to material choice and living hinge design yield a product that exceeds it’s customer’s expectation. Product liability claims shift to zero and no performance issues are logged since mass production launch.