Open enrollment · Oct 20–22, 2026 · Grand Rapids
Automotive Plastics Part Design. Three days. 1,300 slides. 41 years.
Material selection, design procedures, processing techniques and the assembly methods required when designing with plastics in the automotive field, taught through a large number of real automotive case histories by the author of Designing Plastic Parts for Assembly. Attended by over 19,800 participants.
Seminar overview
What to expect from the polymer, and how to design for it.
Attendees focus on what to expect from a polymeric material and discuss in detail how to make the design process as easy as possible and fully comply with FMVSS.
The course also enables the automotive OEM and its suppliers (1st, 2nd or 3rd tier) to communicate more effectively. OEMs learn how to initiate their concepts on a solid, communal basis, allowing for cost efficiencies and fewer second thoughts once they understand the scientific basis and the fine-tuning that comes with experience. A large number of automotive case histories explain the step-by-step procedures for successful and robust designs.
Color slides
Every attendee receives a binder containing all 1,300+ slides used in the presentation.
Short movies
Case histories on film showing step-by-step procedures for successful, robust designs.
Certificate
A Certificate of Completion for every attendee.
Free consulting
20-minute private sessions with the instructor, first come, first served.
Ideal learner
Anyone who puts a plastic part into a vehicle.
Automotive designers, product managers, project managers, research engineers, material engineers, graduate and undergraduate students, or anyone involved in the development and manufacture of automotive plastic products and systems. Attended by over 19,800 participants in over 35 years. Come prepared with questions to ask or experiences to share.
Every automotive segment
Seminar Outline
- North American Automotive Plastics Usage by Segment
- Interiors: Infotaiment, Instrument Panel
- Exterior: Mega Front End Module & Tesla + Stellantis Wheel Covers
- Underhood: Upper Engine Module, Brake-by-Wire, Steer-by-Wire, Active Suspension
- Powertrain/Chassis: Hybrid, Run-Flat-Tire, Fuel Cells
- Resins: Thermoplastics & Thermosets
- Structures: Crystalline, Amorphous & Liquid Crystal Polymers
- Inherently Conductive Polymers (ICP)
- BioPolymers: Poly Lactic Acid (PLA Polymers)
- Light Emitting Polymers
- Electro-optic Polymers
- Carbon Nanotubes
- Reinforcements: Glass Fibers, Aramid Fibers, Carbon Fibers
- Fillers: Talc, Mica, Calcium Carbonate, Wollastonite
- Additives, Effect of Additives, Physical Properties
- Elasticity, Toughness, Plasticity, Notch Sensitivities, Mechanical Properties
- Moisture Sensitivities, Processing Shrinkage and Post-Processing Shrinkages
- Thermal Expansion and Contraction, Creep, Stress Relaxation
- Automotive Thermal Characteristics
- Automotive Chemical Characteristics
- Thermal Behavior, Automotive Chemicals
- Dimensional Tolerance & Burning
- Impact, Specific Gravity & Cost
- Engineering Properties, Snap Fits & Hiving Hinges
- Assembly Methods
- What is a Safety Factor?
- Using Safety Factors in Automotive Design
- Design Safety Factors: Static, Dynamic, Time Related
- Processing Safety Factors
- Reliable Automotive Brands
- Operating Condition Safety Factors: Legal Aspects of Automotive Business
- Boss Design for Different Type of Polymers
- Boss Design Layout, Ribbing: Dimensions, Junctions
- Automotive Case History: BMW 550i & 750i Transmission Mount Bracket
- Automotive Case History: Mercedes Benz E-Class Seat Trim
- Wall Thickness, Fillets, Part Stiffness, Undercuts
- Draft Angles: Core Vs. Cavity, Texturing
- Stresses: Tensile, Compressive, Shear, Torsion, Elongations (Strains)
- True Stress and Strain Versus Engineering Stress and Strain
- Poisson's Ratio, Modulus of Elasticity-Which One to Use, and How to Use It
- Material: Linear and Non-Linear Polymer Models
- Geometry: Linear and Non-Linear Models
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and How to Use It
- Design Optimization Tools: BMX, ISight, TRIZ
- Theory of Solving Problems Inventively, Conclusions
- Equipment, Type of Vibrations, Ultrasonic Cycle, Troubleshooting
- Design: Shear Joint, Energy Director Joint (Tongue & Groove)
- Fixture Design
- Ultrasonic Stake Designs: Flash, Hollow, Spherical, Knurl
- Ultrasonic Spot Welding, Swaging, Stud
- Post Design: Round Solid, Round Hollow, Cross, Angled
- Process, Equipment, Joint Design
- Advantages & Disadvantages
- Joint Area Strength Capability
- Automotive Case History: Mercedes-Benz M-Class Windshield Washer Bottle
- Equipment, Process, Phases, Cross-thickness
- Joint Design
- Automotive Case History: PSA Peugeot Citroen - Diesel Engine AIM
- Welding Glass Reinforced Polymer
- Fixture Design
- Equipment, Surface Heating, Through Transmission Infrared Welding, Staking
- Joint Design, Single Movement Mode, Continuous Illumination, Mask Welding
- Automotive Case History: Ignition & Trunk Keys
- Equipment, Induction Coil Materials, Bonding Agent
- Joint Design
- Automotive Case History: Mitsubishi Motors - Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
- Failure Theories: Adhesive, Cohesive
- Substrate Wettability Tests
- Drafting Symbols for Bonding
- What is Surface Energy and How to Improve It
- Surface Treatments: Corona, Plasma, Flame
- Bonding Stresses: Tensile, Compressive, Shear, Peel, Cleavage
- Joint Designs
- Automotive Case History: Chrysler CCV Vehicle
- Stress Cracking, Adhesives, Solvents
- Adhesive Promoters, Primers, Base Coat, Top Coat
- Painting Considerations, Painting Work Flow
- Power Wash Parameters
- Automotive Case History: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wheel Hub
- Material Properties, Geometric Definitions, Safety Factors, Creep, Loads
- Press-Fit Theory
- Design Algorithm Methodology
- Case History: Cassette Deck
- Solution and Discussion: Case A, B, C, and D
- Automotive Case History: Chrysler 300M - High Output 3.5l V-6 Engine
- Fusible Core Injection Molding, Upper Intake Manifold Background
- Design Requirements, CAMPUS Database
- Material Properties, Summary: Geometry/Material Properties
- Algorithm, Conclusion
- Case History: Examples of Successful Press-Fit Designs
- Design for PP, PE, Common Living Hinge Design
- Design for Engineering Plastics, Living Hinge Design Analysis
- Elastic, Elastic/Plastic, Plastic Hinge Designs
- Automotive Case History: GM World-Class Electrical Connector
- Step-by-Step Design Analysis
- Automotive Case History: Delphi Ignition Cable Bracket for V-6 Engines
- Molding Hinges, Processing Issues, Coined Hinges
- Exercise 1: Design, Material Selection, Tooling & Processing
- Oil-Can Terminology & Concepts, Oil-Can Designs Incorporating Living Hinges
- Software Demo for Designing Living Hinges
- Material Considerations, Design Considerations
- Assembly Positioning, Assembly Motions, Yield Criteria Safety Factors
- Cantilever Snap-Fits
- Snap-Fits: Instantaneous Moment of Inertia, Angle of Deflection, Self-Locking Angle
- Automotive Case History: One-Way Continuous Beam with Rectangular Cross Section
- Exercise 2: Cantilever Beam Calculation
- Finite Element Analysis Example
- Case History: Hewlett-Packard Omnibook
- Annular Snap-Fits: Shallow Groove, Deep Groove
- Case History: Pen & Cap
- Torsional Snap-Fits: Round, Round Hollow, Square, Triangular
- Automotive Case History: GM World Class Electrical Connector
- Deformable Rib Design, Springiness Rate, Automotive Recyclability Symbols for Plastics
- Assembly-Disassembly Assists, Over-deflection Prevention
- Tooling for Snap-Fits, Issues with Snap Fitting
- Case History: Injection Blow Molded Bottle Assembly
- Serviceability, Conclusions
- Software Demos for Snap-Fits
- Design Issues: Integral Seal - Design A, Integral Seal - Design B
- Structural Analysis: Step 1 through 7, Material Model
- Engineering Stress-Strain Curve
- True Stress-Strain Curve - Plastic Region
- Analysis Results: Total Displacement, Von Mises Stress Detail
- Simulating Leak Through Seal 1, Simulating Leak Through Seal 2
- Processing Issues, Drying, Melt Temperature, Injection Pressure
- Injection Rate, Screw Forward Time, Mold Temperature, Cooling Time, Screw Retraction
- Tool Design: Mold Closed - Part Filling
- Mold Opening Phase 1 - Gate Breaks, Mold Opening Phase 2 - Slide Moves
- Part Ejection, Sprue & Runners, Gates: Tunnel (Submarine) Gate Features, Pinpoint Gate
- Venting
- Air Traps, Black Specks, Burn Marks, Dark stripes
- Flashing, Flow Marks, Hesitation, Jetting, Parts Not Releasing from Tool
- Peeling, Sink Marks, Shrinkage, Splay, Sprue Sticking, Unfilled Parts (Short Shots)
- Unmelt, Warpage, Weld lines
- Reasons for Multi-Material
- Part Design & Material Selection
- Indexing (Rotating Platen) Tool
- Mold with Core Retraction
- InMold Assembly
- Case History: FitLogic
- Automotive Case History: Louver Assembly
- Automotive Case History: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Tumble Valve Bearings
- ABS, ASA, CA, EVA, PA, PC, PE, PMMA
- Gate Design: Direct (Sprue), Edge (Standard), Film, Fan, Tunnel (Submarine), Pin (Point), Ring, Sprue, Spoke, Disk, Tab, Diaphragm, Valve, Hot Runner
- Sprue Design: Reverse Taper Puller, Z Sprue Puller, Ring Sprue Puller, Sprue Design Formula
- Runner Design: Runner Cross-Section
- Runner Layout: Herring Bone, H-Type, Star
- Melt Temperature Profile, Screw Design, Boost Stage
- Fill Speed, Hold Stage, Tool Temperature & Back Pressure
- Reducing Part Weight & Size, Increasing Part Weight & Size, Venting
- Exercise 3: Design, Material Selection, Tooling and Processing
- Self-Threading
- Recessed Driving Heads, Tread Forming
- Clamp Load Vs. Time, Torque Vs. Penetration Depth
- Type AB (Standard Thread), Type B (Standard Thread), Type C (Standard Thread)
- Hi-Lo, PT (Plastic Thread), Free Body Diagram
- Pullout Load Vs. Engagement Area
- Assembly Stress, Plastic Boss Design for PT Fasteners
- RS Plast, Delta PT, Polyfast, and Plastite Thread Designs
- Automotive Case History: Threaded Assembly Calculation
- Weld and Meld Line Present into a Plastic Part
- Weld Lines in Parts made of Reinforced polymers
- Thread Cutting: Type BF, T, Hi-Lo, RS Duroplast, and Duro PT
- Pilot Hole Design detail
- Resources and tools available online for plastic part design
- Individual Consulting Services — Seminars attendees can sign up for individual consulting sessions with the instructor. The sessions are free and allow the attendee to ask questions and discuss details that cannot be handled in a larger group. Consulting sessions are 20 minutes long and are handled on a first-come-first-served basis. You can sign up for a consulting session after you register for the seminar by calling 248-539-0473 or during the seminar by contacting the instructor.
Seminar Fees
Register today for the best price and availability.
Paid with check or ACH deposit
| Early Registration (by October 1, 2026) | $1,895.00 |
| Standard Registration (October 2, 2026 or later) | $2,095.00 |
Paid with credit card (Mastercard and Visa) - debit cards not accepted
| Early Registration (by October 1, 2026) | $1,965.00 |
| Standard Registration (October 2, 2026 or later) | $2,165.00 |
Free Consulting Sessions
Seminar attendees can sign up for individual consulting sessions with the instructor. The sessions are free and allow the attendee to ask questions and discuss details that cannot be handled in a larger group.
Consulting sessions are 20 minutes long and are handled on a first-come-first-served basis. You can sign up for a consulting session after you register for the seminar by calling 248-539-0473 or during the seminar by contacting the instructor.
What Attendees Are Saying
"This is likely the most informative class I've ever taken."
"Well done, very informative!"
Next step
Reserve now. Pay on invoice.
Early rate $1,895 by October 1 (check or ACH). Group discount: $200 off per attendee for 3+ from one organization registered and paying together. Full refund up to 21 days before the seminar.
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