The Resin Identification Code (RIC) system

The Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, which separates plastic resins into seven groups, was introduced by the Society of the Plastics Industry in 1988.  Number 1 – Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET) was invented and patented by J. Rex Whinfield and James T. Dickson in 1940 whilst working for Calico Printers Association; called Terylene it was first manufactured by ICI.…
READ MORE
Plastic-IT Ltd: Expert Solutions for Plastic Injection Moulding

A History of Injection Moulding

Today, injection moulding is probably the largest manufacturing method in the world. It is responsible for the creation of products across every sector of industry and as varied as Lego bricks and other toys to the most advanced computer systems, from micro mouldings for medical devices to massive bumper for cars. The introduction and continual improvement of injection moulding…
READ MORE

Moldflow – a brief history

Today, 2021, the word ‘moldflow’ has become the victim of trademark antonomasia – it is now the generic name for the technology and methodologies that were first created by Colin Austin in the early ’70s.  Yes, really – that long ago.  Colin formed the Moldflow company in 1978 – meaning that most engineers short of UK retirement age, have…
READ MORE

Why you should consider re-shoring

reshoring noun [ U ] UK – /ˌriːˈʃɔː.rɪŋ/ US – /ˌriːˈʃɔːr.ɪŋ/   The practice of moving a business or part of a business that was based in a different country back to its original country   Much has been talked about ‘re-shoring’ but as this Covid-19 pandemic has shown us, importing from “far away” is becoming less attractive. Our business here at Plastic-IT Ltd is all about plastic injection mouldings – we have several lifetimes of knowledge about it within the…
READ MORE

When poor plastic part design leads to failure

We are not helping our clients every day. Sometimes, things more urgent raise their heads like today when the gents’ toilet would no longer flush – something had broken.  Right, so find a plumber amid the Covid 19 lockdown?  Ha ha! As the one in the company who started his working life, back in the sixties, in a plastic…
READ MORE
Plastic-IT Ltd: Expert Solutions for Plastic Injection Moulding