Thanks to their lightweight, strong and moldable properties, plastics are one of the most versatile materials on the planet. Their applications include packaging, vehicle safety, medical equipment, electronics and many more. To keep up with global demand, over 18 trillion pounds of plastic have been produced - making it one of the most abundant man-made […]
With electronic products becoming ever smaller in size, there is a growing need to design custom enclosures which facilitate adequate heat dissipation. It is an important consideration that must be factored into the design process from the onset. Designers, therefore, have to quickly evaluate options and find the optimal solution for the product. An ever […]
The question we are asking has never been more important. Each year, up to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean, and our continued production and use of harmful plastics shows no signs of ending this trend. Therefore, it is crucial to consider how we can incorporate other, more sustainable materials into our work […]
When it comes to sealing your custom enclosures, there are several options such as snap fit, screw fit, ultrasonic welding, adhesive, and riveting. Your product design specification should provide guidance for choosing the right sealing option. These requirements can be based on factors such as aesthetics, IP rating, cost, durability, tamper proofing, access for maintenance, […]
Aesthetics. As a Designer, this term is one of the most overused yet undervalued, and misunderstood aspects of our work. Far too often, products aesthetics are seen as a final bolt-on, a finishing touch which might make a product 'look nice'. Having considered this for a while, however, I think this rather over-simplifies and underestimates […]
The whole team at 4D Products are delighted to announce that we have recently achieved ISO 9001 certification for; “The supply of Mechanical design services from concept to manufacturing data” from the British Standards Institute (bsi) ISO 9001 is defined as the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Organisations […]
When designing a product, the application of the right material is key to ensuring the best outcome and for many, the use of flame-retardant plastics is an essential design choice. When used in conjunction with other fire prevention design measures such as the structural design, it is an obvious material choice for many developer and […]
Since 2003, ATEX certification has been required throughout Europe for all electrical equipment that will be used in a hazardous environment. Originating from the French ‘Atmospheres Explosives', the ATEX directive is a compulsory regulation in areas where there is the potential for explosive mixtures of air, dust and flammable gases to occur. These EU regulations […]
Does sustainable design have to cost more than using non-sustainable materials? With daily reminders that we are destroying our planet, and ever increasing warnings on the minimal time we have left to avert global disaster, we are often found looking to government, or the key global powers for answers to a problem which seems too […]
What is FEA? How can I harness its power? Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in its most basic form is a computational tool which is used to understand how materials and structures behave under loads. The nuts and bolts of the process are extremely complex but essentially boil down to breaking a large problem into many […]