Plastic Structural Design: Wall Thickness

author: Universe plastic

2024-09-11

Reasonable wall thickness design is one of the keys to the successful design of plastic parts, which will directly affect the molding quality, mechanical properties, appearance quality, manufacturing cost and other aspects of plastic parts.

When designing plastic wall thickness structures, material properties, product functional requirements, mold design and manufacturing processes should be comprehensively considered to determine the optimal wall thickness parameters. The following are some key points shared by Universe Plastics engineers on the wall thickness design of plastic parts:

Key points in plastic wall thickness design

1. Wall thickness uniformity

Try to keep the wall thickness of the plastic part as uniform as possible, which can ensure that the plastic cools evenly within the mold and avoids internal stress, deformation and warping.

2. Avoid thickness differences

If there is a difference in wall thickness in the design, try to deal with it through a gradual transition to avoid sudden changes in wall thickness and prevent defects such as weld marks and pores.

General plastic wall thickness design

1. General plastics (such as ABS, PP, PS):

Typically wall thickness ranges from 1.5mm to 5mm. Wall thicknesses in this range ensure easy mold filling while reducing material costs and cooling time.

2. Engineering plastics (such as PA, PC, POM):

Due to different material properties, the wall thickness of engineering plastics usually ranges from 1.0mm to 3.5mm. For parts requiring high precision and strength, the wall thickness can be designed to be thinner.

The risk of plastic wall thickness design being too thick

1. Material waste: Excessive wall thickness will lead to material waste and increase the weight and cost of parts.

2. Long cooling time: Thicker wall thickness requires longer cooling time, which increases the production cycle and reduces production efficiency.

3. Internal defects: Thick-walled parts are prone to defects such as bubbles, shrinkage, dents, etc. These defects will affect the appearance and structural performance of the parts.

Risks of plastic wall thickness design that is too thin

1. Insufficient strength: Too thin wall thickness may lead to insufficient mechanical strength of the parts, which may easily break or deform during use.

2. Difficulty in molding: Thin-walled parts are prone to problems such as poor filling, shrinkage or warping during the injection molding process.

Plastic Thin Wall Design Guide

1. Thin-wall design

For thin-wall designs, the structural strength of the part can be improved by adding ribs or stiffeners without increasing the overall wall thickness.

2. Draft angle

When designing wall thickness, consider draft. Generally, the thinner the wall thickness, the greater the draft angle required to ensure smooth release of the part.

3. Rounded corner design

Designing fillets at wall thickness transitions can reduce stress concentration and prevent cracking and other stress-induced defects caused by too thin a wall.

Summarize

According to actual production needs, the wall thickness can be appropriately adjusted while maintaining the functionality of the part to optimize production efficiency and cost. When the wall thickness cannot be kept uniform, try to design the thick-walled part at a location that will bear greater stress or have less impact on function.

Dongguan Universe Plastic Factory has more than 15 years of experience in plastic design and injection molding manufacturing. It has a professional team and advanced equipment, and can provide free plastic design services to help you complete plastic production projects at the lowest cost.

If you are choosing a professional plastic manufacturer, welcome to contact us to get the latest service information!

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