IBM Proprinter Case Study - Use of Plastic

DFAA - Plastic Part Design

In order to reduce costs, plastic parts were incorporated into the Proprinter design. Polymers are generally significantly less expensive than metals. Plastic can also be injection molded into complex shapes allowing the design of multifunctional parts.

Six types of thermoplastic molded material were used in the design. Each different type of plastic used had different material characterics. The snap fits were made possible because of the chosen plastic's flexiblity while the side frames were made of more rigid plastic containing carbon fibers for stability and static discharge.

Plastic parts could be injection molded at the plant. This helped reduce the While In Process (WIP) inventory of parts because plastic parts could be made as they were used in the assembly process. Utimately, 77% of the Proprinter parts were made of plastic.

Replacing metal frames with plastic ones Material is a design variable


Replacing metal frames with plastic ones	Material is a design variable

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Last Updated: October 26, 1998, NEEDS Staff
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