Common Product Manufacturing Terminology
When you’re ready to introduce your next big idea to the world, it’s time to start working with the experts for new product development and manufacturing. Navigating the terminology used in these industries can be challenging for new clients! It’s important to be able to convey your needs and understand your product development team’s information.
To make the process easier, we’ve collected and simplified frequently used product manufacturing terminology, including those for engineering, product material planning, design and more!
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Manufacturing Terminology
Brief: A brief is a document that outlines the goals, objectives, and requirements for a project. In product manufacturing and engineering, a brief is used to communicate the vision and requirements for a product, serving as a guide for the design and development process. A brief typically includes information on target audiences, product features and benefits, competitive landscape, and more.
CMF: CMF stands for Color, Material, and Finish. In product manufacturing and engineering, CMF refers to the design elements that impact the visual appearance and tactile feel of a product. CMF includes decisions such as the color scheme, materials used, and surface finishes applied to a product.
Compression silicone molding: A manufacturing process that involves using a mold and a silicone rubber material to form a part. The silicone material is placed in the mold and subjected to heat and pressure, causing it to cure and take the shape of the mold. This process is commonly used to produce parts for medical devices, electronics, and other high-performance applications.
Cutting Mold: Cutting molds are used in the manufacturing process to shape and form raw materials into finished products from a variety of materials.
FOB: Acronym for "Free on Board." This term is commonly used in international trade and refers to the point at which ownership of goods is transferred from the seller to the buyer. In an FOB agreement, the seller is responsible for loading the goods onto the shipping vessel, and the buyer assumes ownership and responsibility for the goods once they are loaded.
Iteration: Iteration refers to the process of repeating and refining a design or development process until it meets the desired requirements and specifications. In product manufacturing and engineering, iteration is an important step in the design and development process, allowing for continuous improvement and refinement of a product.
Overmold: Refers to the process of molding plastic or rubber material over another material, usually a hard plastic or metal insert, to create a single, multi-component part.
PO: Stands for "Purchase Order." This term is commonly used in the manufacturing industry to refer to a formal document used to communicate a buyer's intention to purchase goods or services from a supplier. A purchase order usually includes the quantity of goods or services requested, the delivery date, and the agreed-upon price.
RFQ: This stands for "Request for Quote." This term is commonly used in the manufacturing industry to refer to a formal request made by a buyer to suppliers for a quote on the cost of a specific product or service.
Samples: Small batch, representative portions of a product used to evaluate quality and make decisions about manufacturing. They are often used in the product development process to test and refine new designs, and to ensure that the final product meets the required specifications.
Tooling: Tooling refers to the process of creating the equipment and machinery used in manufacturing.
Types of Foam: Each type of foam has different properties and is used in different applications, such as cushioning, insulation, and packaging.
Polyurethane Foam: Polyurethane foam is a type of polymer foam known for its versatility, high resilience, and good insulation properties, making it a popular choice in various industries, including the furniture, bedding, and packaging industries.
Polyether Foam: Polyether foam is a type of foam made from polyether polyols. It’s known for its high resilience, durability, and stability, and is commonly used in a variety of applications, including cushioning, insulation, and flotation.
Memory Foam: Also known as viscoelastic foam, is a type of foam that molds itself to the shape of a person's body and slowly returns to its original shape after the pressure is removed. This makes it an ideal material for use in mattresses, pillows, and other bedding products, as it provides excellent comfort and support.
Latex Foam: Foam made from latex, which is a natural, sap-like substance harvested from rubber trees. It is known for its high durability, resilience, and resistance to dust mites and other allergens, making it a popular choice for use in bedding products, such as mattresses and pillows.
Closed-Cell Foam: Closed-cell foam is a type of foam that consists of cells that are completely closed and not connected to each other. This type of foam is known for its high resistance to water, air, and moisture, making it an ideal material for use in various applications, including insulation, buoyancy, and packaging.
Solidworks & Engineering Terms
Solidworks: Software used to design models of solid objects employing computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE).
Surfacing: In the context of product design and engineering, surfacing refers to the creation of smooth, aesthetically pleasing shapes and curves on the surface of a 3D model. This is typically done using software such as SolidWorks, which allows engineers and designers to create complex surfaces using a variety of techniques such as sweeps, lofts, and blends.
Revolves: A revolve is a feature in SolidWorks that allows the creation of a 3D model by rotating a 2D profile around an axis. The result is a 3D object with a circular cross-section, such as a cylinder or a cone.
Tolerances: Tolerances are the acceptable limits of variation in the size, shape, or position of a manufactured product. In engineering and product design, tolerances are critical to ensuring that a product will function as intended and meet the desired level of precision and quality.
Bill of Materials (BOM): A bill of materials (BOM) is a comprehensive list of all the components, parts, and materials required to manufacture a product. In the context of product design and engineering, a BOM typically includes information such as the quantity of each item needed, the type of material, and the supplier. The BOM is used to track the cost and materials required for a project and to ensure that all the necessary components are available for assembly.
Popular Product Material Types
Acrylic: Acrylic is a clear, lightweight, and durable plastic commonly used in applications such as windows, displays, and lighting. It is known for its transparency, resistance to weathering, and ease of fabrication.
Epoxy: Epoxy is a type of adhesive that is made from a mixture of two components: a resin and a hardener. Epoxy is known for its high strength and durability, making it a popular choice for bonding a variety of materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics, and wood.
Finishes: A finish refers to the surface treatment applied to a product or component to enhance its appearance, improve its durability, or add functional properties. Finishes can include surface textures, colors, coatings, and more.
Brushed: Brushed refers to a surface finish that has a textured appearance created by brushing the surface with a brush or abrasive material. A brushed finish is often used to enhance grip, provide a decorative appearance, or improve the durability of a surface.
Dimpled: Dimpled refers to a surface finish that has a series of small, circular indentations. A dimpled finish is often used to improve grip, provide a decorative appearance, or add functionality, such as increasing the surface area for heat dissipation.
Frosted: Frosted refers to a surface finish that has a frosted or cloudy appearance, similar to that of a frosted glass. A frosted finish is often used to reduce glare and provide a soft, diffused appearance.
Glossy: Glossy refers to a smooth and highly reflective surface finish that creates a shiny appearance. A glossy finish is often used on products that are intended to look sleek and modern.
Matte: Matte refers to a surface finish that has a dull or non-reflective appearance. A matte finish is often used to reduce glare and improve the visibility of text or graphics.
Ribbed: Ribbed refers to a surface finish that has a series of raised ridges, similar to those on a tire. A ribbed finish is often used to improve grip, provide a decorative appearance, or add functionality, such as increasing the surface area for heat dissipation or strengthening the surface.
HDPE: This stands for high-density polyethylene. It is a thermoplastic polymer commonly used in packaging, bottles, and consumer goods. HDPE is known for its high strength-to-density ratio, making it lightweight and durable.
Neoprene: Neoprene is a synthetic rubber material commonly used in a variety of applications, including seals, gaskets, and insulation. It is known for its good resistance to oils, chemicals, and weathering, as well as its ability to maintain its flexibility over a wide range of temperatures.
Polypropylene: Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer used in a variety of applications, including packaging, textiles, and consumer goods. It is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to moisture, chemicals, and UV light.
Silicone Durometers: Durometer is a measure of the hardness of a material, typically expressed on a scale from 1 to 100. In the case of silicone, durometer refers to the hardness of silicone rubber, which can range from very soft (e.g. 10 Shore A) to very hard (e.g. 80 Shore A). The specific durometer required for a particular application depends on factors such as the required level of flexibility and resistance to wear.
Silicone vs TPR: Silicone and TPR (thermoplastic rubber) are both materials used in manufacturing, but they have different properties and applications. Silicone is a synthetic polymer with high heat resistance, electrical insulation, and chemical stability. TPR, on the other hand, is a soft and flexible material with good shock absorption and grip properties, making it suitable for applications such as handles and overmolds.
Food Grade Plastic: Plastics that are safe for food contact are typically made from materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and dpolyethylene terephthalate (PET). These materials are considered safe for food contact because they do not release harmful chemicals into food and are approved by food safety regulations.
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