On November 6, 2023 the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved updates to manufacturing standards for combustion-engine-powered lawnmowers put forth by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). These approved standards went into effect the following year as new guidelines: ...

Crestliner is a world-class manufacturer of fishing, sport and utility boats used by both recreational and professional fishers. However, they were running into a problem that threatened to put a stain on their glowing reputation - consoles were cracking. And it wasn't just once or twice. It was ...

Whether you’re new to thermoforming or just learning about the process, it’s important to know your options when it comes to the different types of thermoforming molds available. In this blog, we’ll give you a refresher on what thermoforming is and how it works, share the benefits of the process, ...

In plastic part production, cutting, routing and shaping tools come in many forms. Die cutting and CNC routing are both methods for customizing plastic parts, but how do you know which one to utilize and when?

When looking at a completed plastic part, it can be hard to see all of the decisions that led to this final form. From design to material selection to the actual manufacturing process - dozens of decisions at each stage culminate in a superior completed project.

Styrene-butadiene rubber is a popular choice for various parts, equipment and applications. But how does it differ from regular rubber? What makes it an attractive material choice? In this blog, we’ll discover what styrene-butadiene rubber is, explore the material makeup of SBR, note its advantages ...

In the parts manufacturing world, it can be hard to determine what works best for your parts. Today, we’re focusing on EPDM rubber for fabricated parts and discussing what you need to know when reviewing this material. This article will cover EPDM rubber: its advantages and disadvantages and ...

Gaskets are an unsung hero of manufacturing. They don’t push the envelope, they don’t break new barriers, but they do one thing really, really well: keep the entire machine, product or part working as intended. For these heroes, choosing the right material is the source of their power. Not all ...

Thermoforming is a plastic production process that combines heat and vacuum to carefully form custom plastic parts. Though the process can seem simple on the surface, it still requires much expertise and some significant know-how to consistently create a result that satisfies both you and your ...

A key step in any plastic part production is cutting the part to size and removing any unnecessary material to create grooves and other shapes. For 3 dimensional parts, there are two common trimming methods: hand trimming and 5-axis CNC trimming. Between the two options, which one is best? Our team ...

Not all thermoplastics perform the same. Material selection is vital for any plastic part fabrication, to ensure a desired result. ABS, HDPE and TPO are all “strong” plastic choices in different ways – whether it’s physically strong & stiff, resistant to corrosion, UV resistant or all of the ...

Two of the fastest cutting methods for industrial products are waterjet cutting and flash cutting. These remarkable machines carve through materials at lightning speeds. But while similar, these two speedy processes are suited for different applications.

Many manufacturers have already turned away from pricier metal options to use high-quality plastics. When choosing plastics for fabrication, there are two primary plastics of choice: thermoplastics and thermosets. Both thermoplastics and thermosets come with inherent characteristics that make them ...

Material selection for gasketing and sealing applications is crucial for ensuring protection, particularly under repeat compression and water exposure. Silicones can be a fantastic choice for these applications since they are resistant to temperatures and have a low compression set. This means two ...

ISO 9001:2015 is an industry standard for manufacturing businesses. But what is it, exactly? And why should ICP’s customers care?

Manufacturing plastic parts can be executed several ways – but the two most common are injection molding and thermoforming. Both injection molding and thermoforming use thermoplastics and can produce similar end results – however, they differ in tooling costs and lead time.

Thermoforming can be a very cost-effective means of production for precision parts where tooling costs would be excessive. Knowing the basics is critical for ensuring manufacturability and cost efficiency at each stage of the process. Use this guide to understand the critical terms and ...

When affixing two different materials together or adding a layer of lamination or other finishing options, pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are the most effective method. However, there are a great number of options to choose from – so how do you know which one is the best for your application?