Materials Matter: The Latest Trend In Materials Used To Make Products

‘GRP’ stands for Glass Reinforced Plastic. GRP pultrusions are used in an abundance of applications nowadays. This includes everything from motor vehicles, to the shipping industry, to the transportation of corrosive liquids. The scenarios well and truly vary and the reason for this is because GRP pultrusion products present many qualities and benefits that are advantageous to a number of different companies. Keeping that in mind, continue reading to discover everything you need to know about the perks associated with this type of product, which is the latest trend in materials used in manufacturing today… 

First and foremost, one of the main reasons why GRP pultrusions are so popular is because the material is strong yet it is surprisingly lightweight at the same time, meaning you will have no trouble transporting these parts via your standard warehouse conveyor systems. This presents a whole host of great benefits. When it comes to the lightweight side of things, this makes the material a lot easier to handle and use. You will be able to transport it with ease, which can, in turn, lead to cost savings. In fact, on the whole, pultrusion products can weigh 30 percent less than aluminum and up to 80 percent less than steel. In terms of strength, you will struggle to find a better product, especially as you have a number of reinforcement options to select from. 

This is only the beginning of the beneficial attributes that are associated with GRP pultrusions. Aside from this, this material boasts low thermal conductivity, especially when contrasted with aluminum and steel. This makes it the ideal choice for anyone that is looking for an effective thermal break. GRP is also resistant to corrosion, meaning that this type of product will stand against any corrosive chemicals and environments. The electrical characteristics are also worth touching on. If you are looking for something for applications that are designed for electrical insulation, then this is a good choice, as GRP is non-conductive electrically. 

Aside from this, if you go for GRP at your business, you are going to reap the rewards of greater efficiency. As touched upon, this is a material that is a lot easier to use because of its lightweight qualities. You can also expect to save some money in the process too. This is also a popular option because pultrusions are low maintenance as well. This is because of the fact that they are resistant to corrosion, which in turn means that you do not have to spend a considerable amount of money or time on maintenance. 

All things considered, when you carefully take into account all of the points that have been mentioned in this post, it really is not difficult to understand why so many people are turning towards GRP pultrusions nowadays. This is a material that presents a huge number of benefits and therefore it is suited to a wide range of different applications.

The Most Important Aspects of Designing Products

The product design process can be a long and complex one. You want to create products that are unique and that stand out from the other options already on the market. At the same time, you need to ensure your target audiences are interested in what you’re creating. It’s a tough balancing act but it’s one you’ll need to get right if your business is to succeed. Here are some of the most important aspects of the product design process.

Perfecting Function

The function of your products is always going to be important. If they’re not functional, they’re not going to be of any use to your customers and the people who will eventually be using them. Sure, other aspects of design matter too but they only matter once the core functions of the product are correct and suitable for their purpose. This should be your team’s number one priority.

Focus on Goals

Before you start the product design process, you should set a range of goals for what you want to achieve. These goals are important and they shouldn’t be cast aside as soon as the actual work of designing the products has begun. It’s important that you stick to your goals and keep reminding your team of them. When you do that, you’ll ensure the product aligns with the things you originally wanted to achieve.

Solve Real Problems

Any good product that sells to the public in high volumes solves a real-world problem. People buy products that benefit them in various ways. They want to invest their money in things that meet a need or solve a problem that they have in their day to day lives. That’s what so many very successful businesses are built-in and you shouldn’t ignore that. If it doesn’t solve a real problem, people won’t feel that urgent need to buy it.

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Making Them Viable and Affordable

They also need to be viable and affordable products. Remember, if a product is expensive to create, it’s going to be expensive for your customers to buy too, and that immediately limits its appeal and market potential. Research the things that you need and check for compatibility with other products. If your product is meant to be used alongside, liquid level sensors, for example, make sure that’s possible.

Simplicity Isn’t a Dirty Word

You should remember that simplicity doesn’t have to be seen as a bad thing by your business when designing products. People often like simplicity and the beauty of many great products lies in their simplicity when compared to other options. So, your business’s new product doesn’t have to be complicated in order to be good and appealing to the public.

There’s no one way to design products that your target audience will want to buy. It’s not as simple as that. But by following the advice outlined here, you’ll stay on the right track and develop strong ideas and designs for products. That’s what’s most important.

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