Flexible Elastomeric Parts

Given the trend to simplify designs using plastic/elastomeric materials
with the integration of functions such as springs, latches, hinges, &
deliberate deformation to achieve a part function, what is available to
help do better design of these parts?

I know this is a vague question.

SolidWorks and other 3D solids programs let us do better construction
and quicker calculations.

Are there other tools and techniques or organized books on the subject?

I thought the answers might indeed help a lot of SolidWorks users, not
the least of which might be me.

Bo Clawson

 

Bo,

Don't know of any books, things change too fast.

Your probably gonna laugh, but sometimes when we need fresh ideas for clever
integrated mechanisms, we take a couple hundred bucks and go to toy stores.
Toy designers are really clever.

Regards

Mark

 

Thanks. I indeed look to other designer's work in stores also.

You find some amazing things at times.

I actually am not seeing innovation from some of the largest medical
companies.

Bo

 

Bo,

The big medical companies are allergic to innovation. We used to do business
with quite a few big ones, Abbot, Nellcore P.B., Medtronics, and others. In
the last five years or so, most of these behemoth's engineering depts have
shifted to a sustaining mode. We do very little business with them directly
anymore because the bean counters can't grasp the concept of "time and
materials".

We like well funded start-ups now. That's where all the innovation is today.
Once these start-ups finish clinicals and FDA, ISO,CE etc., they're usually
bought by a biggie like Johnson & Johnson. They find it more economical than
developing internally.

Regards

Mark

 

Bo,

You might want to check out
"Joining of Plastics: Handbook for Designers and Engineers" by Jordan
Rotheiser
at Amazon.com

search for: 1569903549

I have it and its covers much of the info I think you are looking for.


Scot