Blogs

Thermoforming can be a cost-effective manufacturing process for plastic parts, particularly for low to mid-volume runs. But the way that the part is designed can have a major impact on the production costs.

Many product development teams wait until their CAD models are nearly complete or they're ready to request quotes before reaching out to a plastics manufacturer. On paper, that seems efficient. Finish the design first, then find someone to build it.

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.

When teams evaluate manufacturing processes for plastic parts, both injection molding and thermoforming are often considered. But which one is the best choice for low-volume production?

Metal was historically the default choice for industrial part design. Strength, durability, and temperature resistance made it the obvious answer for many applications.

When engineers and procurement teams evaluate thermoplastics for manufactured parts, three materials come up as common options: ABS, HDPE, and TPO. Each of these are strong plastic choices in different ways. Each material offers different advantages depending on the environment, performance ...

Material changes look simple on paper. The reality is a lot more complex. What seems like a minor change early on can lead to redesigns, delays, and misalignment later. Timing is what makes the biggest impact on how successful a material change will be.

For many parts, metal has been the default for decades. It’s strong, familiar, and widely used across industries. But just because it’s the default, doesn’t mean it’s always the best option.

Let’s walk through a common manufacturing scenario: a product team finishes a part design and sends it to a manufacturer, expecting production to move quickly. Then the surprises start.

Synthetic rubbers come in many forms. Two of the most common for the automotive, HVAC and roofing industries are Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) and Neoprene. Both types of rubbers have many uses, but what is the difference between them?

Engineers often send designs out for quote assuming the CAD model contains everything a manufacturer needs. In reality, manufacturers need additional details to produce the most accurate quote.

Material substitution usually enters the conversation at an inconvenient time. Current material costs have jumped. A part is underperforming in the real world. Onshoring becomes a priority. Suddenly a design that has been “good enough” for years is back under scrutiny. Engineers may be open to ...

With the uncertainty of tariffs on offshore manufacturing, many companies are weighing the pros and cons of making a switch. If you’re considering onshoring your plastic fabrication, we’ll discuss what OEMs need to consider to make the transition seamless. That way, quality parts can be ...

Working with a plastic fabrication partner should be a smooth, easy process. When you first started working with your current partner, you might have thought that they were the one—the plastic fabricator to end your search for good.

Heavy vehicles need to cut weight wherever they can - without compromising performance to get there. Fortunately, there’s an existing fix that combines strength and lighter weight parts for heavy duty vehicles like trucks, service vehicles, agricultural vehicles, and more: thermoforming.

Both fiberglass and thermoplastics are popular material choices for OEMs across a range of industries. Each offers distinct advantages, but they perform differently depending on your specific application. In this blog, we’ll compare thermoplastics vs. fiberglass, breaking down the pros and cons of ...

When it comes to thermoforming projects, it’s important to select the right thermoplastic for your needs. Polypropylene (PP) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) are both popular thermoplastic choices. While both of these thermoplastics are great choices, they have unique characteristics that make ...

The manufacturing industry is currently dealing with the uncertainty of tariffs and international trade which directly impact your sourcing costs as an OEM. Our clients have asked us how ICP is addressing these upcoming challenges, so we wanted to take the time to explore our Made in the USA ...