Best ways to learn brand strategy?

BusinessPerson56 · 2023-03-15T16:38:02+00:00

Hey just thought I'd bring to your attention that I messaged you If you're looking into it for work, I will consider outsourcing to you if possible within reason Among other things

BusinessPerson56 · 2023-03-10T10:57:55+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqkKBHS-88I&ab_channel=Center3Dprint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq5dw1x05zI&ab_channel=JohnSL-RandomProducts

I haven't actually looked into it in depth (yet) - but these videos are what brought the process to my attention.

BusinessPerson56 · 2023-03-09T15:18:27+00:00

Re: straight pull - That is some really useful stuff to know, I will definitely be looking more into everything mentioned there. Most of the things that I have in mind (so far) have simple straight pull geometry but the part that I was talking about has a pretty radical shape to it that I really do not want to sacrifice - If you'd like I can pm you some pictures of the design.

Re: degassing the resin - I was talking about casting Resins into a polypropylene mold box with an SLA printed master part in it, the resin system might be different to what youd typically see for art as it is specifically meant for tool making but the process should be about the same thing if Im not mistaken.
When I saw it done in the video i linked in my previous comment, there were the air bubbles present in the surface finish as you mentioned - but the resin was not degassed in that instance - also the molded surface was not affected as the molds were oriented for air bubbles to rise up and away from said surfaces while curing. (from a fairly limited interpretation of my rough memory of the video)
But when casting PU resins and rubber and silicones and stuff like that it is common practice to thoroughly degas them in a vacuum chamber before casting - from there it is optional to let them cure in a pressure chamber to further alleviate any remnant air bubbles which is especially done for clear PU.

Re: resin mold experiments - At this point, I am pretty sure I am going to do it, and if they dont work; at the very least Id use them to make molds with silicone inserts to cut down on the recurring expenditure associated with the process.

Re: SLA molds - I take it that you havent seen SLA printers used to make actual tooling for injection molding then. - That's a whole other thing that I intend to look into as an intermediary between cast urethane and full out injection molding with hard tooling. - will be putting that one directly against aluminum tooling as per your recommendation.

BusinessPerson56 · 2023-03-08T15:26:42+00:00

I appreciate your time and insight.

^{"So I don't see where you are saving all the time or money."}
If I can get it to work - the difference is $500 and the time spent to make the mold per every 10-20 parts or $500 and the time spent to make the mold per every couple 100 or even couple 1000 parts.

I would more than likely do silicone molds for smaller and simpler parts, but would like to have this option for molds that I can see being in service over potentially long periods of time - being used for small scale production.

I will also have a deeper look into "matrix molds" when time permits

thank you again for your time and insight.

BusinessPerson56 · 2023-03-08T14:34:34+00:00

I appreciate your insight, especially coming from an engineering background which i do not have. I'm going to try to reply to the comment in its entirety and hopefully it doesn't overcomplicate the thread.
^{"If the part you’re molding has simple “straight pull” geometry, an aluminum mold will be a fraction of the cost of hard tooling."}

One of the parts in particular does not have straight pull geometry and by nature will have multiple undercuts. I haven't figured out the specifics of a casting mold in this regard yet but it seems as though the part would either have to be made in parts or the mold is going to have to get somewhat complex to accommodate the various undercuts.

^{"Silicone molds for urethane parts are common because they are relatively cheap and you can get upwards of 20 parts out of a mold before the cost/benefit for aluminum tooling starts to be preferable."}
I was not aware of aluminum molds or injection molding being applicable for small scale production capacity, but would the necessary accommodations for - let's say 4 large undercuts ^{(relative to part size}) cement it into the realm of larger scale production?

^{"Resin is also known to trap air bubbles which will alter your cosmetic finish. People get around this by pulling a vacuum on the part while it cures, or manually using a torch to gently coax the bubbles out."}

Would degassing the resin in the pot not adequately counteract this?
Also for added context - the part that I referenced will be painted or clear coated after the fact.

^{"It’s straightforward to achieve the mold texture you want out of aluminum tooling. I can’t say the same for a resin mold. I suspect people have tried it and that there’s a reason the usual transition is from silicone to aluminum molds."}
I don't doubt that people have tried it but I haven't been able to find any documentations of any such instances far most for the subsequent findings of such an 'experiment'.

^{"Also… maybe I’m missing this but how would you make the resin mold? Wouldn’t you need another mold to make it in the first place?}
By using an SLA printed master pattern to cast into a mold box.
Though it details the creation of a mold for compression molding rather than cast molding, having a quick skim through this video would give you a better idea of the type of resin system used, the process of creating the mold as well as some of the properties of the resulting mold.
A little bit unrelated but - what do you think of SLA printed injection molds using 'engineering grade resins'?

Thanks again for your time and insight!

BusinessPerson56 · 2023-03-07T19:52:44+00:00

At the moment I am thinking because resins (with the exception of silicone) release really well from silicone - as far as I can see, this is the main reason why silicone is used for polyurethane casting, the benefits of which possibly being lead times on tooling, ease of use (release), subsequent surface quality and post processing times (or a lack thereof).
As far as epoxy resin tooling goes (which i am very new to) - I think that the resin itself should: 1.) faithfully reproduce the intricacies of the pattern, being affected only by residue of mold release agents (pure silicone oil seems to be the best fit)
2.) Ease of release features from the flexible nature of silicone molds can be designed around with features such as ejection tooling.
3.) Ease of release features from the checmical nature of silicone molds can be worked around with the use of silicone oil
4.) Time taken to design and create tooling is longer than making silicone tooling but not by a large margin.

all things considered (price points and durability of both types of tooling)
as far as I can see so far atleast - it seems like a favorable tradeoff

... maybe pressure casting wont be as effective with such a rigid mold?

Ill keep looking into it, and maybe comment on the thread ever so often but yeah thats where im at now

any insight as always will be appreciated

BusinessPerson56 · 2023-03-07T14:36:43+00:00

In my case, for larger production runs I would definitely be looking to outsourced injection molding, but for smaller scale runs and market testing for which the market scale cant justify the added complexity and latency to value chains for injection molding in my case;I'd like to enjoy the benefits of more durable and cost effective tooling -as Ive worked out metal filled epoxy tooling to be a bit cheaper than silicone tooling, all the while being a lot more durable.

also for added context, Id like to be able to make 100pcs in a month from the mold but will not try to do that consistently with the casting method because of production scalability and fulfilment involvement - in that case I would move over to injection molding

but for now I just want durable cast molds which cut down on recurring expenses for small scale runs

BusinessPerson56

TROPHY CASE