Moulding and marking unlock problem
Salvo Susie is a key-operated mechanical locking device designed by Castell to immobilise articulated trailers to prevent accidental drive-aways
CRDM used a novel combination of moulding and laser marking to provide a cost-effective way of making a new lock for Castell Safety International.
The product, called Salvo Susie, is a key-operated mechanical locking device designed by Castell to immobilise articulated trailers to prevent accidental drive-aways. The lock would be used in cold, wet, greasy and oily conditions, and would need to withstand heavy pressure so CRDM was tasked with producing a product that was extremely durable and long lasting. With only a small batch required, CRDM had to find the most cost-effective way to produce the product to the highest possible standard.
CRDM had initially used vacuum casting to create the Salvo Susie prototype, but needed to find an alternative method of production. Twin shot tooling was considered as an option, but proved too costly so CRDM found an inventive solution - injection moulding and laser marking.
CRDM worked with Castell and a number of suppliers to find a suitable material for the part. Once this had been specified, CRDM worked closely with a specialist contractor to colour the material and create the appropriate formulation of additives, allowing laser marking to be used with injection moulding for the desired finish – a method which proved far more cost effective than more obvious alternatives.
Peter Holland, Tooling and Moulding Group Manager at CRDM, explains:
‘Castell came to us with a challenge and using our knowledge of tooling we were able to meet the brief, ensuring that costs were kept to a minimum. After sourcing the most suitable material, we were presented with the issue of finding an additive that would work with laser marking. We came up with a workable solution and, as a result, ended up with a very happy customer.’
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