Advantages of plastic materials in mechanical engineering
Plastic materials play an increasingly important role in modern mechanical engineering. Compared to metals, engineering plastics offer significant benefits such as lower weight, corrosion resistance, electrical insulation and effective noise and vibration dampening. Their ability to be molded into complex shapes enables manufacturers to integrate multiple functions into a single part, reducing assembly steps and overall production costs. By making use of these advantages, machine builders can improve performance, reliability and efficiency while also reducing environmental impact.
Choosing the right engineering plastic
Selecting a suitable plastic material is a critical factor that influences the functionality, manufacturability and cost of the final product. Each engineering plastic has its own mechanical, thermal and chemical characteristics that determine its suitability for specific applications. For example, plastic gears are often made from Polyamide (PA) or Polyacetal (POM). Both materials provide high wear resistance and stiffness, but they behave differently under varying conditions such as humidity, load or temperature. A careful evaluation is therefore essential. At Fleur Plastics, we offer expert advice to help determine the best material for your product.
Key factors in developing technical plastic products
To achieve the best possible result, several elements must work together seamlessly during product development. Important factors include:
Material selection and its impact on mechanical performance
Product design with attention to manufacturability and durability
Mold construction aligned with design specifications and tolerances
The injection molding process and optimization of cycle times
Any required post-processing or assembly steps
Fleur Plastics supports customers throughout all these stages and provides tools to improve design quality and production efficiency.
Global mold manufacturing with local production
Depending on the product requirements, molds can be manufactured either in Asia or in the Netherlands. This allows us to balance technical precision with cost-effectiveness. Regardless of where the mold is made, all injection molding takes place at our facility in Boxtel, the Netherlands. By keeping production local, we ensure consistent quality, short communication lines and reliable lead times.
