New Product Development - Cascade Quality Molding

New Product Development

CQM is a leader in developing and manufacturing thermoplastic parts and products. We will develop your concept into a finished product that is strong, attractive and functional at a price you can afford. We choose our materials from 26 families of plastics that, in turn, contain upwards of 20,000 sub-types and variations. This is quality material with the strength and lightness of high-grade aluminum! We work with you at every step: design and engineering, prototype and model-making, building the aluminum or steel mold that will form the product, plastic injection molding, vacuum metalizing and coating, and final inspection and delivery.

The process works like this:

Design and Engineering:

We use CAD and CAM software to transform rough concepts into solid-model virtual prototypes. We analyze the design from all angles and perfect it. Our computers are networked to communicate data and information via high-speed Internet. Clients and vendors are kept informed at every step, including cost estimates.
Prototypes and Model Making:

There are a variety of methods to make the prototype model. This is a real-life working model that demonstrates the size, shape and cosmetics of the proposed part. These models are highly finished representations that can be used to introduce the part or product to prospective buyers.
Making the mold:

Once a design model is finalized, the CAD/CAM software is interfaced with CNC machines to build an aluminum or steel mold built to the highest industry standards.
Instant or Fast-Track Molds:

Today's economy requires cutting costs and enhancing delivery wherever possible. CQM's instant molds streamline production by putting emphasis on good design and engineering up front, and on the use of "virtual" tooling and temporary molds. This reduces the bottleneck that can occur when building traditional molds. The result is fewer dollars spent on production, which leaves more dollars for the finished product!
Plastic Injection Molding:

Plastic Injection Molding is CQM's specialty. Our presses can mold a variety of parts. By continually training staff and updating equipment, we remain on the cutting edge of the latest advances in polymer technology and molding practices.
Vacuum Metalizing and Coatings:

Vacuum metalizing involves applying a thin metal coating to the surface of a molded plastic part. These coatings may be decorative or functional. Either way, CQM's VM line can apply metal coatings in an environmentally safe and friendly manner.

This is an overview. Other links discuss these production steps in more detail and list our equipment. We should mention our new Class 100 clean room. This 30-by-40-foot clean room exceeds the requirements for medical and general coatings manufacturing. It is a soft-sided work cell where we locate equipment for specific manufacturing projects such as custom parts and products for the medical industry following FDA Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines.

New product development requires technology that performs efficiently and cost-effectively. Currently, we are the only custom shop in the Western U.S. that provides plastic injection molding and vacuum metalizing in one process, thus minimizing variables and contaminants. We offer our clients the lightest, strongest, most-efficient, high-quality products for the lowest cost.

Quality:

CQM follows quality-control procedures which adhere to industry and governmental standards throughout the world. These standards will ensure the integrity and reliability of your product.

Service

Customer satisfaction is a core value at CQM. You are more than a customer, we consider you a partner. The relationships we establish are built on integrity, trust and respect. We sincerely believe the customer comes first.

Our technical services include the following:

Plastic part design.
Conversion of CAD files.
CAM programming.
CNC machining.
EDM die sinking.
Plastic injection mold-making.
Instant tooling or phantom tooling.
Construction of jigs and fixtures.
Plastic injection molding (thermoplastic).
Liquid injection molding (thermal-setting silicone).
Over-molding or insert molding.
Ultra-sonic molding and inserting.
Thermal-staking and inserting.
Silk-screen printing (sub-contracted).
Pad printing.
Hot stamping.
Vacuum Metalizing and Coatings (cosmetic and functional).
RFI and EMI shielding coatings.
Post-mold fixtures.
Ultra-sonic welding.
Spin welding.
Heat swaging.
Packaging and boxing.
Vacuum forming (basic VF).
Various assembly processes.
Quality control processes