Plastics Engineering Technology
Join our mailing list to stay updated
The Plastics Engineering Technology Certificate Program offers practical, hands-on instruction in key areas such as materials, processing, product design, and tooling. Focused on the practical application of Plastics Engineering Technology, the program emphasizes clear, accessible content that can be directly applied to real-world situations. Presented in straightforward language with supportive diagrams and photographs, the curriculum is designed to be easily understood while covering essential topics in depth.
This program is ideal for both technical and non-technical professionals, including engineers, product and tool designers, quality assurance personnel, purchasing managers, sales and marketing staff, and anyone looking to enhance their understanding of plastics technology. Whether you're looking to expand your expertise or refresh your knowledge, this certificate program provides valuable insights into the everyday applications of plastics engineering.
Note: Courses must be taken in the order listed below
Who Should Enroll?
- Individuals interested in entering the plastics engineering field
- Those in technical and administrative roles within the plastics sector
- Sales and marketing personnel
- Engineers, molding and tool designers
- Plant supervisors and "quality assurance staff"
Required Courses
|
COURSE |
TERM |
|---|---|
| PET 120 Plastics Theory and Practice | Fall |
| PET 130 Product Design and Tooling for Injection Molding | Fall |
| PET 110 Scientific Injection Molding | Fall |
Required Courses (3 Courses)
This course is designed to introduce participants to basic concepts and techniques used throughout the plastics industry. The objective is to expose everyone to the fundamentals of plastics, product design, basic processing techniques, secondary operations, and tooling. Participants will be given handouts showing how and where to get more detailed information on a variety of plastic related topics. This course should be valuable to all technical, scientific, and engineering personnel, either entering the field of plastics or who are interested in broadening their knowledge of materials and processing techniques. It is also suitable for individuals in plastics sales, marketing, purchasing, and quality assurance.
Course Content:
- Plastics Industry Overview, History, Growth, Future
- Polymer Chemistry Basics
- Polymer Structure-Properties-Applications
- Modified Plastics-Alloys-Composites
- Elastomers
- Product Design Basics
- Material Selection Process & Interpreting Material Data Sheets
- Plastics Identification Techniques
- Processing Techniques
- Plastics Tooling
- Decorating and Printing
- Assembly and Secondary Operations
- Part Costing
- Testing and Failure Analysis
- Plastics Industry Standards and Organizations
- Recycling
- Educations and Seminars
- Where to Get Information
* Class meetings will be available both online via Zoom and in-person at CPP
This combined course is designed for toolmakers, apprentices, technicians, product designers, process engineers, and other plastics personnel desiring to acquire basic knowledge of product design and tooling technology. This course provides an overview of the design process for injection molded plastic parts. The emphasis is on concurrent engineering practices, which leads to elimination of barriers between various engineering groups, toolmakers, and manufacturers. The participant will learn about the importance of proper material selection, part design fundamentals, manufacturing (moldability) considerations, design for assembly, tooling considerations, rapid prototyping techniques, and testing.
Design fundamentals discussed are applicable to parts designed for all plastics processing techniques. In the tooling portion the emphasis is on various mold components, mold design principles, cooling, venting, draft considerations, shrinkage, mold polishing, and tool surface enhancement techniques. Topics such as use of simulation software to enhance mold design, how to improve productivity, reduce down time, and lower maintenance costs by optimizing tooling design will be covered in detail.
Course content:
- Plastics materials and material selection process
- Plastics material identification techniques
- Concurrent engineering, plastics part design process overview
- Manufacturing considerations; design for molding
- Basic part design and design related product failures
- Rapid tooling and prototyping
- Design for assembly and review of assembly techniques
- Tooling considerations
- Injection molding process
- Injection molds (types of mold construction)
- Tooling considerations
- Mold metallurgy, runners, gates, sprue bushing, sprue pullers
- Tour local tool making facility
- Mold design and simulation software
- Venting, cooling
- Draft angles, shrinkage, mold polishing, tool surface enhancement
- Hot runner molds and systems
In addition, students will receive a variety of useful handouts showing How and Where to get more detailed information on a variety of plastics-related topics.
* Class meetings will be available online via Zoom
Course content:
- Polymer Basics, Plastics Materials, and Flow Characteristics
- Part Design Fundamentals
- Overview of Basic Injection Molding Process
- Drying, Material Mixing, Coloring, Regrind Usage
- Major Process Variables
- Decoupled Molding, Universal Set Up Sheet
- Tooling Considerations, Venting, Cooling, Ejection
- Cycle Time Optimization and Troubleshooting Techniquesbr
- Mold Flow Analysis
- Tricks to Improve Productivity
- Modern Injection Molding Operation
* Class meetings will be available both online via Zoom and in-person at CPP
The current course schedule which includes class meeting times, locations and design is subject to change without notice or obligation. The University does not guarantee the availability of a particular course or section, and reserves the right to cancel due to insufficient enrollment.
