Finding Value for Customers with Finite Element Analysis
Auburn, NY Currier Plastics is using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) as a methodology for the design, development and modification of new and existing custom parts. The custom plastics molder has continued to invest in more technology to better assist their design efforts like 3D scanning and 3D printing with FEA software being the latest tool.
“It’s in the design stage that all the physical characteristics must come together for fit and function and FEA helps determine the outcome. The design stage accounts for 70-80% of the product’s cost,” says Gary Kieffer, VP of New Product Development. “Currier Plastics is committed to quality and excellence and that drives us to seek out every tool available to accomplish the best functional design,” adds Kieffer.
FEA works by breaking down an object into hundreds of thousands of finite elements and uses mathematical equations to predict the behavior of each element. These behaviors are then added up by a computer to predict the behavior of the actual object. “FEA can be used for material selection and for the rationalization of performance outcome,” says Gary Kieffer, VP of New Product Development. ” In addition to new design qualifications, we recently used FEA to simulate different geometries in an effort to combat a quality issue. It took us in the direction we needed to go to find a quick resolution.”
Currier Plastics is located in the heart of central New York and has been custom molding for a variety of industries such as plastic packaging, beauty and cosmetics, amenities, household consumables, electronic connectors and medical measuring devices since 1982.