Injection Molded Universe

Client: 4th grade students at the Nettelhorst elementary public school in Chicago, IL
Role in project: User-centered design developer, Lead on the NX part design from user drawing
Skills: Machining, milling, NX CAM manufacturing, CNC manufacturing, injection molding

Design Challenge: In collaboration with a team of 4th grade students, we took the product idea shown below and created a real injection molded part from it.

Design Solution: The Universe part below was created using injection molding and CNC machined aluminum blocks.

Key Features: The design is injection molded and contains interchangeable parts of a universe base, a planet and a UFO saucer & top.

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Injection Molding

Machining

Problems Encountered

Next Steps

Use of 1/16th tool
Mold contact & weld line
Flashing

Redesign of Universe piece
Avoid direct core & cavity contact
Create fewer parts

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The Team: Hersh Agarwal, Luke McDermott, Wendy Roldan