On October 9 and 10, 2019, Ray Products will be exhibiting at D2P, Design 2 Part, Southern California conference, located at the Pasadena Convention Center. Home to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena has built a reputation as a hotbed for technological innovation, providing a great backdrop for showcasing our advanced plastic manufacturing techniques.
As an exhibitor, we’ll be showcasing and discussing an assortment of plastic parts that we’ve manufactured via our specialized vacuum forming, pressure forming and trimming technologies. We’re looking forward to sharing the benefits of thermoformed plastic solutions with attendees from Southern California and beyond. Here are a few of the processes we’ll be discussing:
Pressure Forming
Pressure forming uses the vacuum-forming technique of air suction to pull a sheet of pliable plastic into its mold but takes it one step further by also adding 80-100 psi of air pressure on the inside surface of the plastic. The result: highly cosmetic plastic molding, with tight tolerances and part to part repeatability.
Pressure forming is an ideal choice for large-scale plastic parts that involve complex shapes, vents or louvers. It produces parts with the same level of detail of an injection-molded part at a significantly lower project cost for low-to-mid volume yields. Pressure-formed parts can be molded in color, eliminating the need for paint (though we do offer painting services if desired). Pressure forming is frequently used for applications where aesthetics, durability, and quality are key considerations. This makes it a popular process for applications like medical, office equipment enclosures, control panels, detailed components, and scientific instruments.
Vacuum Forming
Our vacuum forming technology provides an excellent solution for manufacturing larger parts. Like pressure forming, vacuum forming allows for molding in color; and vacuum forming is particularly well suited to producing high-gloss, finished surfaces — removing the need for paint or extra finishing. In addition, vacuum forming can utilize a capped sheet for recyclability while offering a custom color solution. This technique is an excellent, cost-effective choice for low-to-high volume production (yields in the hundreds to high thousands) for applications like point-of-purchase displays, automotive aftermarket pieces, recreational vehicles, fitness equipment and more.
Robotic Trimming
Both our vacuum-formed and pressure-formed parts are trimmed using advanced robotic technology. This is well above the industry standard, and our use of 6-axis robotic trim centers ensures precision and repeatability that rival injection molding at a fraction of the cost.
Other services
In-House Finishing
Our in-house painting and silk-screening facilities allow for custom finishes and graphics that can be combined with the custom colors and EMI/RFI shielding. This spray coating allows plastic parts to protect against electromagnetic and radio interference. It gives the plastic similar properties to sheet metal and makes a good choice for any parts used in telecommunications and/or electronics.
Contract Manufacturing and Assembly
Our in-house assembly capabilities can merge plastics with other materials, like sheet metal, other plastic parts, and components, allowing for a fully assembled turnkey solution.
Meet with Ray Products at D2P Pasadena
The D2P Pasadena show gives us an opportunity to educate potential clients on all of their plastic options. Injection molding is often presented as the only option, but it’s often not the best choice for creating larger parts at low-to-mid volumes. Our thermoforming techniques, state-of-the-art robotic trimming, and additional finishing services are often the best, most cost-effective solution for a wide array of manufacturing projects. As company president Brian Ray states, “It’s about communication.” “Understanding what you need and then matching it up with the correct process” is key. That’s what we hope to achieve on the exhibit floor.
If you’ll be attending D2P Pasadena, please come by Booth 112 for a visit. We’ll be happy to discuss every option we have to make your plastic project a reality.
Southern California Design-2-Part Show
October 9 & 10, 2019
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA