Selecting the right plastics manufacturing method for your project requires navigating a varied landscape of options, each with its unique benefits and challenges. This can be a daunting task. This guide aims to simplify that choice by providing a detailed comparison of popular plastics manufacturing techniques. From injection moulding and blow moulding to advanced 3D […]

In a world where everyone’s attention is pulled in all directions, the details of product branding matter. Companies strive to make a lasting impression on the customer, driving brand awareness, familiarity, and a relationship between the company and the customer. One effective way to achieve this is through the incorporation of logos on their injection […]

Once you’ve taken your concept from design to manufacturing-ready, then the next step is deciding on the best product packaging. Packaging is essential to ensure your product is protected during shipping and to make it look appealing to customers. The days of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ have passed. Appealing packaging is important […]

Product design is a journey that transforms ideas into tangible, functional, and aesthetically pleasing products that improve our lives. Whether it’s a sleek smartphone, a comfortable piece of furniture, or an innovative kitchen appliance, the process of bringing a concept to reality involves a series of well-defined steps. In this blog, we’ll take you through […]

In today’s rapidly evolving world of product manufacturing and design, innovation is the key to staying competitive and meeting the ever-changing demands of consumers. Modern techniques have revolutionised the industry, allowing for more efficient and sustainable production while pushing the boundaries of product design and industrial engineering. In this blog, we’ll explore five innovative product […]

Thinking of getting your product manufactured? If so, choosing the right material for your product is an important decision that can impact its success. The material that you choose impacts not only your product’s performance and durability, but also its aesthetics and cost. There are many factors that go into choosing the right material, and […]

Manufacturing is the process of converting raw materials into finished products. The process involves various steps that are undertaken in a systematic manner to ensure the production of high-quality goods. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essential steps involved in product manufacturing and provide you with valuable insights that can help you develop […]

Tooling is an essential aspect of industrial design and manufacturing. Tooling refers to the process of creating tools or moulds that are used to produce a wide range of products. For beginners in the field of industrial design, tooling can seem daunting. However, with the right guidance, tooling can be an enjoyable and rewarding process. […]

Have you got an idea for a product? Are you wondering how to take that idea from a concept to reality? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’re stepping through the 6 steps of the product design process so that you can know what to expect. Brainstorm The first step […]

Once you’ve designed, prototyped and tested your product, the next step is to manufacture it. Manufacturing will take your idea from conception to reality. Product manufacturing may sound like a complex process. However, it can be broken down into four simple steps. In this blog, we’re stepping through the 4 steps of product manufacturing so […]

Are you in the process of creating a new product? If so, you may be wondering about the differences between product research and development.  What is Product Research? Research is a learning process. This is when we try to define the way things work and to more clearly understand them.  It’s about asking wide open […]

Looking for a silver lining from the COVID-19 pandemic? After years of disruptions and strict border policies, there has never been a better time to manufacture in Australia. There is growing support for local manufacturing, with less reliance on overseas suppliers and manufacturers The pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of our supply chain, the risk to […]

If you’re in the process of designing and developing your product, then rapid prototyping might be an option for you. Rapid prototyping is a quick way to create a physical part from a computer design. It gives you an idea of what your final product will be like and allows you to quickly evaluate your […]

Prototyping is an important stage in the product design and development process. If you want your product to be a success, then you need to prototype it. So, what is prototyping? A prototype is a simple model of a proposed idea or solution. It is used to test or validate ideas so that refinements can […]

Have you got an idea for a new product that you want to make a reality? Designing a new product is great fun, but can have some challenges. Here’s 5 things you need to know before setting off on your journey to design a new product: Who will use your product? The first step in […]

Most people would hear the term tool making and assume it is about making hammers, screwdrivers and spanners. In actual fact a toolmaker is a trade professional who builds Moulds, Dies and jigs. They are an essential part of product development and the manufacturing of plastic products. If you’re looking to get your product developed, […]

  With tooling having so many influential aspects that change the quality and cycle time of your part, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed and want to learn more. One of these influential aspects is the runner system. The runner system controls the distribution of the plastic through the nozzle to the cavities. There are two […]

Once your product has been designed, prototyped and you’ve ironed out any issues, it’s time to think about manufacturing. There are a few different techniques that could be used to manufacture your product. To decide which process is best for your product, think about: Market demand for your product Availability of resources The amount of […]

Once you’ve developed your product, it’s important to keep innovating and improving it for maximum success. When your product is launched and customers start to purchase and use it, you’re going to receive feedback on how well it performs. If you take this feedback on board, you can continually improve your product for future success.  […]

As 2021 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the changes that this year has delivered to the design industry.

When products are manufactured, the process follows a set of instructions laid out by the designer in their bill of materials (BOM).

Two highly effective and time-tested manufacturing techniques are Injection Moulding and Rotomoulding. Both techniques have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages and may or may not be suitable for your moulding requirements. 

When you’re in the process of taking your idea from a concept to a product, creating a bill of materials is an important step.

When you’re looking to take your concept to the next stage of mass production, it’s important to approach manufacturers with the right set of details.

So, you’ve got a killer idea for a product that’s going to revolutionise your industry. But, how do you take your product from design stages to reality?

As materials, technology, and circumstances change, so must the way we design and innovate products for manufacture… or they won’t be successful. Here we explore the reasons why design innovation is important in product manufacture.

In this article, we will dive into the top reasons why you should utilise rapid prototyping for your ideas, parts, and products.

When it comes to product design, I’d go as far to say that it’s impossible to reinvent the wheel. This is because the ability to create new things is founded on copying, transforming, and combining things with other things that already exist. Yes, the end result may be unidentifiable from that which inspired it, though it’s still integral in the process.

Investing in tooling is one of the most crucial steps for successful mass production. Throughout the working life of an injection moulding tool, it will wear from the repetitive high-pressure injection of hot molten plastic; and when I say repetitive, I mean it – the tools we do for our customers are made to last one million shots!

Rapid Prototyping and 3D printing are often mistaken for being the same thing, however there are some important differences.

We will take a look at the 4 main steps you need to take to manufacture products… Tool making, mass production, assemble and packaging

Let’s take a look at a product we worked on here at Dienamics -the MK1 MAXTRAX off road vehicle recovery track.

DFM’ isn’t a service, it is an inherent requirement of a products’ design. If your product hasn’t been designed to be manufactured, it isn’t a product design at all, simply an expensive and unusable CAD file. 

China was long thought to be the top player in the cost-effective mass production of goods. However, the coronavirus crisis has highlighted Australia’s need to move away from our large reliance on overseas production.

Sustainable manufacturing is now more necessary than ever and product design plays an important role in creating the opportunity for sustainability in product manufacturing.

This year has been like no other, and as we come to the end of it, we’re taking a look back at some of the top inventions that we’ve had the pleasure of working on!

3D printing has been around since the 1980s, and over time has transformed many industries and manufacturing operations. Today, it’s one of the world’s most substantial and transformative technologies. Discover where 3D printing technology is headed in 2020 in Australia. But first, here’s a little information about the process… 3D printing is a manufacturing technique […]

Part 6 – Vacuum Casting In Part 5, ‘SLS 3D Printing,’ we looked at each consideration for the process, step by step. In this edition of our knowledge series, we’ll be discussing the considerations needed for vacuum casting. Vacuum casting (vac-casting), is a plastic moulding process used to manufacture high quality product prototypes. Vac-casting works […]

Part 5 – SLS 3D Printing In Part 4, ‘User Testing and Research,’ we talked about the importance of the user testing and research phase of making your prototype. In this edition, SLS Printing, we’ll look at the considerations for the process, step by step. Originally developed back in the 1980’s, Selective Laser Sintering or […]

Part 3 – Types of Prototypes In Part 2. ‘Before You Prototype‘, we looked at the importance of developing a clear understanding of why you are prototyping and what you’re wanting to achieve from it. In this issue, we’ll list some of the different types of prototypes and their purpose; we’ll go into depth on […]

We often get asked, are all steels the same? In fact, it’s one of our frequently asked questions. The short answer (and the one featured in our FAQs) is – No, there are different grades and hardness of steels. Hard steels tend to last longer but are more difficult to machine and heat treat. But […]

Creating a perfect part begins with creating the perfect mould. Easier than it sounds.

The Dienamics team has recently welcomed two new machines to the workshop! Both new machines offer excellent energy-saving capabilities and are a huge step in the right direction for Dienamics becoming a more environmentally friendly manufacturer. The machines are 90 tonne and 160 tonne. Tonnage, also known as clamping force, is the measurement which represents […]

It is essential to consider the location of a facility when looking for a manufacturer. While many businesses are choosing to manufacture overseas due to cheaper production and labour costs, more often than not it pays to keep your company based right here in Australia. Overall, there are many benefits to choosing a manufacturer based […]

There are many steps between a great product idea and launching to market. It’s important to transition through each, even if you feel you don’t need it because doing so will better prepare you to launch the best possible product…and you might discover some issues you hadn’t even considered. But it’s also important to know […]

In our current manufacturing environment, plastics are being used to create everything from vehicle parts to buttons on clothing and even human body parts. For every application, a special and specific manufacturing process is required so that each part can be moulded based on its specifications. If you’re interested in manufacturing a plastic part, one […]

More than 300 million tons of plastics are now being produced every year. Half of that is estimated to be single-use plastic, and approximately 8 million tons of plastic finds its way into the oceans every year. Plastic has become such an integral part of our lives, but it has also clearly become an environmental […]

Bob “The Bee Man” Luttrell came to Dienamics with an idea for a honey frame designed to harvest clean, clear honey without sacrificing quality or bees. The structure differed from the regular honeycomb shape of beehives, instead using a square framework. This design allows for honey to be harvested effectively, but most importantly, without harming […]

LandCruiser’s are known as the work horses of Toyota 4WD’s – tough, reliable, and built for off-road driving and work. But the one thing LandCruisers (particularly the 70 Series) don’t have is a flash interior. But that doesn’t mean they can’t. Cruiser Consoles came up with a brilliant idea to fill a hole in the […]

What is Reaction Moulding? Reaction Moulding is a type of moulding that induces a chemical reaction between 2 types of resin. It commonly produces products with a foam core, with the foam varying from soft and bouncy to rigid and strong. Reaction Injection Moulding (RIM) typically make larger, light but strong parts. The basic process […]

How does an Autoloading Hopper work? An autoloading Hopper is just like a regular hopper, except that it can load material from storage bags around the machine. It does that by using a vacuum placed on top of the hopper. This vacuum is caused by a fan, connected to an electric motor. As the fan […]

How does an Ultrasonic welder work? An Ultrasonic welder is a machine that uses kinetic energy from vibrations to heat and melt plastic together. The basic process comes down to a vibration frequency, measured in hertz, directing energy onto a section of the 2 parts you want to weld together. This often gives a better […]

How does a Metal Press work? A press is simply a flat bed, and a pressing ram or rod, that is actuated either hydraulically/pneumatically or mechanically. To make a metal pressed part, you insert 2 halves of a metal press tool into the press. You then bolt the bottom of the tool to the work […]

The Idea The path ore bearing rocks take on their way from the mine site to sale is a rough one. They are extracted with explosives, shifted by draglines, put through rock crushers and piled into mountains that can sit out in the elements for years on end. So how do you embed delicate electronics […]

How does a laser cutter work? A laser cutter uses an extremely powerful beam of focused light and projects this onto a sheet of material. This light beam has so much energy that it melts or vaporizes the sheet material, leaving a cut in its wake. Laser cutting does have a high tolerance, especially when […]

Peter Reid, a Senior Research Engineer from the CSIRO, had a problem. As part of a research project at Pullenvale, Peter was developing a machine that helped to map and survey mine sites using advanced technologies. Requirements He was using LiDAR and other light-based sensors to survey the mine. What he needed was an optically […]

How does wire cutter work? A wire cutter (also known as a wire EDM) is based off the same principle as a traditional EDM. It uses an electrode, which is electrically charged, so that when it comes close to a conductive material, the electricity wants to jump across to it. This causes a spark, which […]

  How do Surface Grinders work? A Surface Grinder grinds down metal surfaces to be perfectly flat and level. It’s an abrasive machining process, which uses a grinding wheel which is spinning at high speed to grind away differences in height. Grinding wheels are usually made of a composite material. This composite is usually some […]

Blow moulding products all have one thing in common: they are hollow and in one piece. It’s often used for glass and plastic products like bottles, jars, and containers. It’s a cost effective and quick method of moulding, but that doesn’t mean it’s not without its disadvantages. The process is limited to only making hollow […]

Breathing – Most people don’t give it a second thought. But for some of us, something as simple as taking a breathe is not so straightforward. The team at AirPhysio knew they could help. The idea They developed the concept for the AirPhysio Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) device. Like all good ideas, the concept […]

What is Machining and Milling?  Machining is an umbrella term for a range of process which generally use cutting blades to cut away material from a workpiece. These can by computer-controlled machines (called CNC) or operator controlled machines (called conventional). The common element of both CNC and conventional mills is that they have a cutter […]

Injection moulds are curious machines. They are the basis for one of the most efficient and widespread manufacturing processes ever devised. They create parts with such speed and repeatability that we can’t help but take their output for granted. They are so effective that it’s easy to judge them in the same way we judge […]

How does an EDM work? An EDM (or Electrical Discharge Machine) burns conductive metals by creating a spark erosion between a copper (or graphite) electrode which is electronically charged, and a workpiece which is not electronically charged. In general terms, a machinist will make an electrode which will be used as the “cutting piece” in […]

What is Pultrusion? Pultrusion is a process that flips the logic of extrusion. Instead of feeding material into a hopper, and forcing it through a die, the raw material is rolls of pre-impregnated (pre-preg) fibre filled polymers threads. These threads are pulled through the entire assembly line during setup. The threads from their spools, run […]

Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) is a process that injects a two-part resin mixture that fills a mould under high pressure. In the mould there is also a fibre based preform. As the mould heats, the resin is cured into a solid shape and the part is ejected, with the fibre center preform being wrapped in […]

Product timeline: 2001 – Brad McCarthy loses a car on the beach 2004-2005 – MaxTrax is tested. 2005 – MaxTrax hits the market! 15 years ago, Brad McCarthy got his 4WD stuck in soft sand. As a keen 4WD adventurer who knew South East Queensland’s trails like the back of his hand, the bog wasn’t […]

Fundamentally, Lathes do the opposite of what most other machines do. Lathes spin the workpiece at a high speed and move a stationery cutter into the workpiece. As such it’s important to know how Lathes work. Firstly, Lathes only have 1 axis of rotation, so if the part your working on isn’t largely symmetrical along […]

At it’s most basic level, a milling machine is a cutter (called an endmill), that rotates on an axis (called a spindle) and can accurately move in a variety of ways, usually parallel and perpendicular to the work piece, as well vertically up and down. Turret Mills are unique in that it works vertically, however […]

What is Compression Moulding? Well I can tell you it’s one of the first moulding techniques ever used widely in the beginning of the Plastics Industry. The basic principle of Compression Moulding is that you have a pliable or dough-like material, sometimes in a preform or just in granules in two mould halves. You then […]

Laser Cutting – you’ve heard of it or know someone who has, but what is the actual process of laser cutting? Well it uses a super-hot beam of light to melt, burn or vaporises stock material. In certain machines, laser cutting can produce anything from structural welds, clean cuts and even up to very fine […]

Previously we discussed Thermoforming, today I wanted to talk about a subsection of that category of plastics manufacturing known as Vacuum Moulding or Vacuum Forming. Vacuum Moulding is the process by which a thermoplastic sheet material is heated until it’s malleable and then sucked onto a forming core or tool using the pressure of a […]

Thermoforming is one of the most accessible and easy to understand manufacturing processes. As with all mass-produced products, you’ve probably used a thermoformed product without even realising it. For instance, high end boxed chocolates are often arrayed out in their box in a thermoformed tray. Yoghurt tubs, takeaway food containers, those plastic tubs your cherry […]

Plastic Co-extrusion is very similar to Plastic Extrusion, however, with co-extrusion you are inserting multiple polymers into the extrusion dies to produce a single profile with a range of physical characteristics. In this article, we’ll cover the differences from regular plastic extrusion and the benefits and disadvantages to Plastic Co-extrusion. So the fundamental difference to […]

Stereolithography (SLA) is a type of rapid prototyping, AKA 3D printing. In this article, we will unpack the basic process, advantages and disadvantages of this manufacturing technique and decipher some of the jargon thrown about in the rapid prototyping industry. Basic Process The basic process of Stereolithography involves taking  CAD model of an object, and […]

In this article, we’re talking about gates. And no, not the kind that you shut behind you when you’re leaving the farm. In plastic injection moulding a Gate is where the molten plastic enters the cavity of the tool. That’s to say it’s different from the sprue or runner. Sprues and runners are simply there […]

Extrusion is a simple process and is used the world over, from making spaghetti to window frames and door seals. Plastic Extrusion is when a material is being forced through a die (think a plate with a profile cut into it) and the plastic takes the form of that profile. In plastics, extrusion creates long strips […]

Blown Film is a manufacturing process that produce films of plastic sheeting and tubes. These sheets or tubes can either be fully cylindrical, or have other object inserted into them so they form useful objects like shopping bags, rubbish bags or cling wrap.  In this article, we will explore what the process of blown film […]

Rotational Moulding (Also known as Roto-Moulding or Rotational Casting) is great at making hollow objects. In fact, you probably enjoyed a roto-moulded product over Easter. Hollow chocolate Easter Eggs are roto-moulded, and so are kayaks, water tanks and hollow kids’ toys. In this article, we’ll show you the basic process of roto moulding and its […]

In our explorations of manufacturing techniques we have covered a number of ways to mass produce plastic parts. Today, we will look at one the one I like to think of as the most underappreciated, Blow Moulding. Blow moulding isn’t as well known as injection moulding, yet it is responsible for a creating fantastic number of […]

We have previously discussed some general ways to classify steel. In this article we are going to dive into the specific types of steel we use to make your products, why we use them, and what they mean to you. The first thing to do is clear up some confusion. You may be thinking, “But […]

In June 2007, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone to a twitchy crowd of Apple acolytes. Much wonderment and applause ensued within the walls…but outside, scepticism was rampant. Many balked. Many were wrong. By the same time the next year, it felt like the whole world either owned an iPhone 1st Gen or intended to. A […]

Die Casting is the injection of molten metal into a Die (similar to a Mould) under pressure to create complex parts out of metal. Die Casting is conceptually very similar to injection moulding – just with molten metal instead of plastic. Die Casting is primarily a mass production method, where the costs of setting up […]

Manufacturing is an industry that walls itself off with dense jargon. As a result, it carries a perception of high risk; what you don’t understand, you can’t control the costs of. This makes those looking to manufacture – and even those who may already be manufacturing – feel iffy about high upfront costs. For a […]

“I’m sorry, but I can’t read that format” Anyone trying to get something built has hit the problem. Your concept has left the drawing board and entered the computer realm. Modelling, drafting, rendering and many other “ing’s” have been paid for, and you’ve seen pictures that are beginning to look like just the thing you […]

Part design can be a difficult process, particularly when you’re in charge of the business. And while it may be tempting to go for cheap substitutes and stick with formulaic designs, at the end of the day it’s your business that suffers. We’re going to take a look at the advantages of involving the tool […]

As standardized mass production techniques develop to cater for low-grade affordable consumer goods, experts are looking to high-end manufacturers for small batch high-value products. Electronics manufacturers are the first to recognize that quality production techniques are important. Leading manufacturers of audio equipment, testing instruments and automobile parts are pushing the boundaries of quality, diversity and […]

Manufacturing processes hinge on the practice of making large quantities of uniform items. Creating uniform items allows for a standardised quality of product, which is one of the fundamental premises of market economics. Manufacturers will make as many copies of an item as they can without compromising their product’s quality. Technical advances have allowed for […]

A new book, Brick by Brick: How LEGO Rewrote the Rules of Innovation and Conquered the Global Toy Industry, has traced how Lego made its recovery from the brink of bankruptcy by returning to its roots. In this book, Wharton professor David Robertson revealed how the Danish toy maker made resurgence from near bankruptcy by […]

In a push to manufacture the highest quality handcrafted boating paddles with the greatest amount of aesthetic appeal, Werner Paddles went on a quest to find the perfect material that would meet its standards. “For Werner, the cosmetics of the material were as important as the strength, rigidity, and other physical properties,” explained Tim Bailey, […]

Very recently, an old relic has resurfaced from the ‘90s electronics junk heap to become useful once again: the plastic injection moulds that were used to make the plastic components for the Atari Jaguar. These moulds, which cost Atari US$250,000 to design and build in the first place, were part of a “tooling package” that […]

To be successful in today’s manufacturing industry, you need more cost-effective and efficient techniques for manufacturing products. Historically, manufacturers mass produced products based on predicted future demands, but this system often resulted in wasted effort and resources when customers failed to live up to expectations. Modern companies simply can’t afford to operate that way, and […]

For a lot of companies, products are their main source of revenue. Therefore, it makes sense that the process behind their product design should be done with great effectiveness and efficiency. Before hitting the shelves, a product must go through various types of process and one of them is plastic injection moulding.

As you look around your garage, you probably see an assortment of tools and materials that could all be used in some way to make something, whether it’s a basic table for the backyard or something far more complex. Tools are the backbone of modern industry and trade, and while they are essential in almost […]

Though we may not realise it, many of us are capable of inventing something truly life changing.  At some point or another, most of us have come up with an idea for how something could work better, or more efficiently, and a few of us have come up with a completely novel idea. The difference […]

The evolution of toolmaking can in many ways be shown to reflect the evolution of human society. Methods of manufacturing and product design have driven change for thousands of years. In fact, the periods before recorded history (known as ‘pre-history’) have been named after the materials with which the tools of that time were made, […]

The evolution of manufacturing techniques and product design has resulted in a world full of incredibly impressive constructions feats. Let’s take a look at some of the world record holders. World’s Longest Bridge At over 164km long, including 9km of over-water section, China’s Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is part of the Beijing-Shanghai High Speed Railway.

Steel is all around us. It is used in major constructions such as skyscrapers, stadiums, roads and railways, as well as smaller product designs such as bolts, nails and screws. Those who have never paid close attention, however, may not have any idea of how steel is made — or indeed, that it needs to […]

Blow moulding is also known as blow forming, and has widely been used since the 1800s. It is best suited for the product design and manufacturing of hollow plastic parts, such as with the production of plastic bottles, with uniform thicknesses when the outside shape is the major consideration. The basic process. A heated plastic, […]

Role of the tool maker. A tool maker understands the product design and creates parts, tools and dyes to be used in the manufacture of these designs. The tool maker’s advice may also influence the industrial designer – so that the idea can be made easier to manufacture. The tool maker will typically work in […]

Die casting is a very versatile process for producing highly engineered metal parts. Molten metals are forced into reusable steel moulds. These moulds are often called dies, and are designed to produce the complicated shapes that we see in many consumer products ranging from kids toys to automotive parts. The dies, are essentially the reverse […]