New Product Development: Injection Molded Flowerpot from Recycled Material
Category
Sciences and Technology
Department
Plastics Engineering Technology
Student Status
Undergraduate
Research Advisor
Mr. Paul Herring, Dr. Jeanne Norton
Document Type
Event
Location
Student Center Ballroom
Start Date
10-4-2025 2:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2025 4:00 PM
Description
The Department of Plastics Engineering Technology at Pittsburg State University aims to advance sustainability of plastics. We designed a new product (a flowerpot) that could be molded using the Engel e-Motion injection molder. All parts were designed to be molded with recycled material. Initially, we gathered information on important considerations when designing flower pots from local industries: size, shape, and other important design details to incorporate into the team's initial designs. The injection molder's capabilities also had to be considered when determining the size of the flowerpot. Design software (Solidworks) was utilized to generate several initial designs. Calculations within the design software were preformed to determine important concerns including cooling time, tonnage requirements, and part cost. Additional software (SigmaSoft) was used to simulate the process of creating the flowerpot inside the injection molder. 3-D printing was used to better visualize the designs. After the final design was chosen, we reached out to mold manufacturers to create the new molding tool for the plastics lab with our final flowerpot design. The mold shop revised the final design and began manufacturing the mold base. Once the mold arrives at Pittsburg State University, we will begin process development studies on the product. The use of hot tip bushing will help eliminate the amount of plastic waste for every manufactured part compared to other designs. After initial mold development studies, we will be able to manufacture these flowerpots for teaching and promotional purposes.
New Product Development: Injection Molded Flowerpot from Recycled Material
Student Center Ballroom
The Department of Plastics Engineering Technology at Pittsburg State University aims to advance sustainability of plastics. We designed a new product (a flowerpot) that could be molded using the Engel e-Motion injection molder. All parts were designed to be molded with recycled material. Initially, we gathered information on important considerations when designing flower pots from local industries: size, shape, and other important design details to incorporate into the team's initial designs. The injection molder's capabilities also had to be considered when determining the size of the flowerpot. Design software (Solidworks) was utilized to generate several initial designs. Calculations within the design software were preformed to determine important concerns including cooling time, tonnage requirements, and part cost. Additional software (SigmaSoft) was used to simulate the process of creating the flowerpot inside the injection molder. 3-D printing was used to better visualize the designs. After the final design was chosen, we reached out to mold manufacturers to create the new molding tool for the plastics lab with our final flowerpot design. The mold shop revised the final design and began manufacturing the mold base. Once the mold arrives at Pittsburg State University, we will begin process development studies on the product. The use of hot tip bushing will help eliminate the amount of plastic waste for every manufactured part compared to other designs. After initial mold development studies, we will be able to manufacture these flowerpots for teaching and promotional purposes.
