 
 <br /> 
<b>Designing Plastics Parts for Assembly</b> 
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<p align="right"><b>Preface to
         4th Edition</b></p>      
<p align="right"><i>Kishor S. Mehta,</i></p> 
<p align="right">Technical Manager,</p>      
<p align="right"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bayer.com">Bayer Corporation</a></p> 
<p align="right">December 1999 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania</p> 
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<img border="0" src="http://ets-corp.com/images/dppa4th-ets4.jpg" alt="Designing Plastics Parts for Assembly" width="108" height="160" /></p> 
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         <p>I am honored to write the preface for this edition of
         Paul Tres&#39; <i>Designing Plastics Parts for Assembly</i>. The very fact that this is the 4th 
         edition of the book since 1994, with several reprints of editions in
         between, speaks of the immense popularity of this work.</p> 
		 <p>Success
         of a product comprising of components made of plastics not only depends
         on the functional design of the product but how the components are put
         together. Assembly methods available for parts made of plastics are
         numerous as compared to those available for traditional materials of
         fabrication. Thermoplastics, for example, can be joined using
         ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, spin welding, hot plate welding
         etc. that softens the plastics at the interface for fusion. They can
         also be bonded using appropriate solvents. Having the modulus of
         elasticity in the right range, many engineering thermoplastic parts
         lend themselves to be snap fitted together with great ease. In
         addition, almost all the techniques available for metal part assembly
         like screws, rivets, adhesives etc. can be used for assembly of
         plastics parts. The choices are quite few making the selection of the
         right technique a challenge.</p> 
		 <p>The challenge continues in having proper design of
         parts for the assembly technique chosen. The aspect of designing for
         assembly is crucial for the success of the assembly and can not be
         overemphasized. Many product failures can be attributed to poor
         assembly technique chosen or to poor design for assembly. Failure of
         energy director type of ultrasonic joint in providing a liquid tight
         seal or splitting of a boss due to high hoop stress created by a thread
         forming screw are but a few examples. Paul has given a good account of
         all the latest techniques in use and provided the readers with details
         of designing for them. The practical approach used by Paul for assembly
         design makes this book invaluable. The book provides illustrative case
         histories that teach by example and show how to actually do it.</p> 
		 <p>This fourth edition brings more case histories.
         Plastics are relatively new materials of construction. Assembly
         technologies for plastic parts are also still evolving. I am sure that
         future editions of this book will deal with new technologies, as they
         become available. In the meantime, enjoy this outstanding treatment of
         assembly technologies for plastics part by Paul in this book.</p> 
		 
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 <td>Copyright ©1994-2003 Carl Hanser Verlag. All rights reserved.</td> 
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