Product Design and Development offers a complete service for plastic parts and related products from initial concept to final production. We understand how to keep costs down by design for manufacture whilst at the same time ensuring both quality and capability are maintained. With the aid of in house 3D printing we can optimize both the physical properties as well as the cosmetic look of the part. We have knowledge and the experience of using most types of polymer so can ensure the correct material choice for the application. Once the part design is complete we have long established relationships with several Chinese toolmakers for tool manufacture. We review and approve the tool designs and in many case suggest methods to take cost out or make the tool easier to make. Although we would like to use UK toolmakers our experience is that prices are up to 3 time higher in most cases and lead times over twice the time. Samples are sent from China for part approval before the tool is shipped. We have in house moulding up to 110T with bi-material capability if required. Our indirect costs are kept to a minimum as being a small company we are by nature very lean. We have ultrasonic welding; silk screening and sublimation printing capabilities as well as insert moulding and sub assembly.
PDD is also involved with the development of new heating technology using PTC and Graphene conductive inks. A major underfloor heating project with Staircraft, the UK’s biggest supplier of new built stairs, I joists, floors and doors, is now under test at their offices in Coventry. Initial results are showing a considerable reduction in running costs over any other form of underfloor heating currently on the market. Not only is this low voltage system cheaper to run it is also designed such that each heating panel can be controlled individually. This means heating panels that, for instance, are located under a sofa or bed can be turned off which also maximizes the efficiency of use also saving running costs. This technology will be shown on our stand as we feel there are many other applications where it could be used.
Another recent project involved the complete design of product for “Resistance Tai Chi”. An adjustable foot strap and hand glove are connected together using Thera-Band elastic tubing using a patented clip design. This product will also be on show.
