Plastics & Injection Molding Manufacturer Blog

Company History Highlights by Gene Ferriot (1916-1970's) from steel engraving to injection molded plastics, from Disney characters to Polaroid aviator glasses – a nostalgic look back

In 1916, I started working at the Die Sinking and Machine Company, a machine shop started by my father, grandfather and uncle. I was joined a year later by my brother Glenn. I learned the steel engraving trade and Glenn learned the machinist trade.

Full-service custom injection molder of engineered resins
pays tribute to its long history, with an eye on a bright future 

On June 11^th, Ferriot began a year-long celebration of its rich 90-year history with a special event for employees at its Akron, Ohio facilities.

Privately held since its founding in 1929, the company spans over five generations of the Ferriot family. In 1999, Ferriot Inc. expanded to its current 200,000-square-foot office and manufacturing facility at 1000 Arlington Circle in Akron, Ohio.

Plastic injection molding is perhaps one of the most popular forms of manufacturing today. Engineers and manufacturing companies from virtually every industry around the world have found that using injection molding to manufacture their products is one of the most cost-effective ways to go. 

Structural foam molding is an option available to manufacturers who are looking for a way to create stronger, more rigid plastic parts.  It is also a method used to reduce potential part weight for larger parts. Almost any type of resin can be used with this type of injection molding. Structural foam  injection molding uses lower pressure and a foaming agent mixed in with the resin. The foaming agent expands within the resin, leaving a dense outer and inner wall with a foam or honeycomb-like center. This cellular core in the part is what contributes to the decreased part weight.  During the expansion process, internal shrinkage or "sink" is reduced which creates a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing part. This process can also contribute to less internal stress in the part with better stability. 

Part 1 of this blog post discussed some important considerations for custom mold designs for injection molding projects. Topics included the impact of resin selection and mold construction materials. Now, let’s consider how the resin is injected into the mold and the impact of the wall thickness of the part.

Designing custom molds for your injection molded products can be a complex process. However, working with the right team can greatly reduce the complexity and cost while improving the quality of the completed part and minimizing the length of the production cycle. Take the time to answer the following questions before you attempt to design molds for injection molding.

As discussed in Part I, chrome plating offers an attractive, durable finish for plastic parts used in a wide range of applications. Although chrome is the ultimate finish for a plastic part, adding chrome plating can’t be an afterthought in your product design. Any surface defects on the part will only become more pronounced once a decorative chrome finish is applied. Chrome requires advance planning and attention to detail in the design of the part, the mold and the specific molding techniques used.

At Ferriot, we realize that many (if not most) savvy medical industry OEMs want to focus on their core competencies and let another company perform the details of the actual product build. Contract Manufacturing provides numerous opportunities to greatly reduce capital expenditures and operating costs while ensuring the highest quality for the final product.   

What we’ve learned over our years of experience is that there’s a clear process to follow to guarantee success when using a contract manufacturer. When done correctly, applying the right process results in both great customer satisfaction and great performing products.

We're pleased to announce that Craig Ferriot, President, Ferriot, Inc. will be speaking at the MFG DAY event on October 5th at the Hilton Garden Inn, Akron, OH. Craig's presentation will highlight some of the technological innovations being utilized in the injection molding industry.

Are you designing injection molded parts for a new product or looking to update an existing product? There are numerous finishes that may be of interest. Perhaps you are considering a chrome finish on your ABS or PC ABS part? Beyond the snazzy, visual appeal, there are other good reasons to use chrome. First and foremost is that it adds an attractive, decorative finish. In addition, it may also provide a level of corrosion protection, make cleaning the surface easier and increase the overall durability of the part.