Chaseway Cover Attachment
Situation
A leading manufacturer of sophisticated office systems was looking for a plastic extrusion solution. As part of a cost savings measure, a lower panel alignment/catch for the “swing” cover on one of their panel systems required a redesign to replace the costly metal fabrication with a less expensive plastic extrusion.
Challenge
While designed to function as a continuous “catch” for the chaseway cover, the existing metal fabrication included a series of punched “tabs” which guide the cover to snap into the correct location.
- Properties of plastic would not allow a direct replacement, so Formtech’s engineers needed to redesign a new part that would mate with the existing chaseway structure.
- The new extrusion also had to pass UL-94V-0 requirements.
Solution
Formtech engineers were able to develop a replacement cover that worked perfectly within the existing chaseway.
- The redesigned part replaced the existing outward bent tabs with on-line punched tabs, which, while at 90 degrees to the former tabs, provided a similar stop.
- A flame retardant material was formulated to meet the UL-94V-0 requirements.
Results
The Formtech design and engineering teams were able to provide a solution that met both their client’s assembly and financial concerns.
- The new extruded part provided improved assembly functionality by creating a smooth “ramp” edge for the automatic placement of the cover into its proper location.
- The client quickly realized a substantial cost savings by eliminating the metal product and using their new plastic extrusion replacement parts.