Technical articles
We cover electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, tray specification, line organization, automation, and sourcing. Each article answers a real question that comes up when specifying trays.
Functional trays: how to specify by life cycle
How to specify a thermoformed tray: start with its life cycle, and only then define the material, wall thickness, and application requirements.
Conductive or dissipative: how to avoid overpaying
Conductive vs. dissipative ESD trays by application: where insulative material fits, typical resistance ranges, and what to check on incoming material.
Topical or in-resin: which ESD protection lasts as long as you need it
Anti-static packaging can lose its protection before the tray wears out. See how to match topical or in-resin anti-static to the tray's life cycle.
Expendable or returnable trays: the full cost
Cost per cycle, freight, disposal, and part damage all count toward the full cost. See how to choose expendable or returnable trays based on where they go.
Poka-yoke trays: the part only fits one way
A cavity designed around the part only lets it go in the right way. See how a poka-yoke tray keeps right-hand and left-hand parts from getting swapped.
Visual control and counting by the box: how trays speed up inventory counts
With fixed positions, a missing part shows at a glance and the count adds up by tray and by box. See how visual control speeds up part counting.
Matrix trays: what your robot needs from the tray
In automation, the tray is part of the machine. See what a matrix tray needs so the robot can find every part, lot after lot.
Technical cleanliness and packaging: why cardboard is being pulled from the line
A part leaves the washer clean, then fails particle analysis. See how cardboard contaminates parts, what VDA 19.2 says, and when to switch to washable trays.
From drawing to production: lead times, prototypes, and tooling
Discovery, concept, prototype, validation, and production. How a pilot run cuts risk before the production mold is built, and what drives lead time.
Already have a mold with another supplier? Here's when you can reuse it
Already paid for a mold and development? That doesn't have to hold up a supplier change. See what a mold evaluation tells you and what to send.
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