XTD 207 Materials and processes research Plastics

Mikes kitchen quiz, a group object analysis exercise

Look in detail at the sample product provided. Analyse it to reveal clues; how is it used, what it is made from and are the materials chosen appropriate, how was it made? Record your ndings below. Section A The Product and its material properties 1. What is it? Babys bowl. Circular bowl with a distinct bulge on one side making the manufacture more complex but allows a child to learn intuitive responses whilst eating; these include scraping food around the edge of a bowl in order to get it on a spoon. 2. Describe how materiality contributes to the experience of the product (how is it useful, useable, appropriate, desirable and how do its material properties contribute to our perception of these qualities?) Polypropylene is both food safe and chemical resistant making it suitable for containers and Tupperware. It is also lightweight and impact resistant, preventing the product from shattering if it is thrown on the oor. 3. Draw the object (draw 2 three-quarter views to illustrate it from above and below)

4. How many parts does it have? (identify them on your drawings) 2 5. What materials is it made from? (identify them on your drawings) Polypropylene; possibly another material for the grip on the handle or polypropylene with a different nish. 6. Describe its colours (identify them on your drawings) Blue, semi transparent plastic, with an opaque grip on the handle 7. Describe its surface nishes (identify them on your drawings)

Section B Production processes 8. How was the object made? (name the process) Injection moulded 9. Create drawings and diagrams to communicate the tooling associated with this process The bowl itself was possibly formed at an angle to aid the moulding process and allow the part to fall out of the mould when complete. 10. How many parts does the tooling have? (identify them on your drawings/diagrams) Five 11. What is meant by the following terms (and identify if/where evidence of them can be observed on your sample product): Injection point point at which the mould is lled Sprue mark small mark on the exterior of product where mould has been removed and sprue cut off Moulding ash Defect, excess material in thin layer exceeding product shape Parting lines Where split mould has come apart Witness lines Left where two pieces of metal meet Split lines Shows where mould halves have come together Ejector marks located where the product has been pushed out of mould Draft angle Eases release of product from mould (draft angle is dependant on depth of cavity) Sliding cores Sliding core meets xed cavity side to form product Wall thickness Uniform wall thickness during forming reduces the chance of warping Sink marks Holding time/pressure too low/cooling time is too short; all of which will create sink marks Twin shot moulding Two materials injection moulded simultaneously Living hinge Thin, exible piece of plastic moulded with product