FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Plastics are so ubiquitous today that it might be better to ask, “What industries don’t use plastics?” Nevertheless, some sectors have a much deeper and larger relationship with plastic manufacturing than others. Some of the most notable areas include:

  • Automotive and aerospace manufacturing

  • Healthcare and medical device creation

  • Food and product packaging

  • Consumer product design

Today, many industries have begun looking into new ways to take advantage of “eco-friendly” plastics, including advanced bioplastics. At Reliant, we remain up to date on all the most common and emerging materials to provide our partners with a wide range of thermoplastic solutions.

Plastics are a high-value industry, but adopting or transitioning to plastics can have important economic benefits for individual companies. For example, when transitioning toward a lighter-weight product, replacing metal components with durable and heavy-duty plastics can save substantial money over a production run. There are many ways businesses can leverage the benefits of plastics for a better bottom line.

The Reliant differences lie in several key areas: our location, experience, and proven track record. Each of these lends us unique strengths that position us well to support our partners. Headquartered in Gainesville, Texas, our facilities are conveniently located near three airports with national and international reach, including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Our 13-acre campus spans three buildings and provides incredible design, manufacturing, assembly, and logistics support flexibility. Our experience has made us a leader in our space, and we’ve developed highly specialized capabilities in supporting the metal-to-plastic transition. We have invested time and effort into earning the internationally recognized ISO 9001:2015 + AS9100D certification in quality management systems. We go above and beyond the basics. More than just experience in manufacturing, we have a deep understanding of advanced composites. Products we’ve manufactured are currently used in the aerospace sector by major brands, including both Boeing and Airbus.

At Reliant, we offer many services to support many outcomes or goals. For more information on these solutions, please visit our service pages. Our capabilities include the following:

  • Build-to-order services

    • We produce components and sub-assemblies so final production can take place on demand.

  • Plastics Manufacturing

    • Reliant uses our 34 state-of-the-art machines.

  • Secondary Manufacturing

    • Operations like trimming, CNC machining, ultrasonic welding, bonding, and more.

  • Strategic Sourcing

    • Supporting your need to acquire components and materials in a global market with strict controls.

  • Sub-assemblies and kitting

    • Our many years of expertise in assembling components for aerospace, consumer goods, and other industries allow us to bring timely, high-quality solutions while producing highly cosmetic parts at a competitive cost.

  • Quality Control Inspection

    • We can inspire your confidence in the reliability and safety of our finished products.

  • Warehousing and Vendor-Managed Inventory

    • Let us handle the trickiest parts of the logistics of your plastic products. VMI is a process where Reliant creates orders for our customers based on demand information that we receive from your MRP/ERP system. Reliant is also responsible for supplying your manufacturing sites or warehousing locations with our products as needed.

Yes, we have proven successes in more than half a dozen different industries today. We’re happy to support our partners across all these spaces, from major businesses to niche brands. We have partners in industries including:

Building a partnership with our team as your manufacturer begins with a conversation. Through in-depth consultation, we can explore the suitability of injection molding, the types of thermoplastic qualities you need, and important information such as lead times. Let’s first discuss your ideas and goals for the project, and then explore how Reliant could be a good fit for meeting those needs. We always look forward to speaking with interested businesses and brands. Reach out to us today to inquire further about how Reliant could be a good fit and to explore how to begin a project with us.

For more information on returns, please visit https://reliantplastics.com/terms/.

Join us at Reliant Worldwide Plastics in Gainesville Texas and become part of a dynamic team that works on innovative solutions for our clients. From CNC operators, inventory clerk, Plastic Injection Molding Processor Shift Supervisor, and Sonic Welder, we have many options to fit your skillset. We offer great benefits, a competitive salary, and rewarding work opportunities. Discover the many exciting careers at Reliant Worldwide Plastics!

Injection molding is a highly versatile manufacturing process used to produce intricate and complex parts with high precision and efficiency. Here are 4 key reasons why it’s widely used:

  • Cost-effectiveness: Once the initial tooling is created, the cost per part decreases significantly, especially when producing large quantities. The high production speed of injection molding helps in achieving economies of scale.

  • Design flexibility: Injection molding allows for the creation of intricate and detailed parts with complex geometries. It supports a wide range of materials, colors, and finishes, offering designers and engineers immense flexibility in product design.

  • High precision and consistency: With injection molding, you can achieve tight tolerances and consistent part quality. The process ensures uniformity across large production runs, minimizing variations and defects.

  • Efficiency and speed: Injection molding is a fast process, capable of producing thousands to millions of parts in a relatively short time. This makes it ideal for high-volume production and meeting tight deadlines.

These factors make injection molding an attractive choice for manufacturing a wide variety of products across industries such as automotive, consumer goods, electronics, medical devices, and more.

Reliant specializes in using high-grade engineering resins for injection molding, including advanced materials like PEEK and ULTEM. These materials offer exceptional performance in demanding applications where superior mechanical properties, thermal resistance, and chemical resistance are required. Here’s more detail:

  • Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK): PEEK is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its excellent mechanical properties, high temperature resistance, and chemical resistance. It is commonly used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and oil & gas industries for applications such as structural components, seals, and medical implants.

  • ULTEM (Polyetherimide): ULTEM is a high-strength, heat-resistant thermoplastic with excellent mechanical properties, flame resistance, and chemical resistance. It is widely used in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical industries for applications such as electrical components, aircraft interiors, and medical devices.

  • Delrin/POM (Polyoxymethylene): Delrin and POM are engineering thermoplastics known for their high stiffness, low friction, and excellent wear resistance. They are commonly used in automotive, industrial, and consumer goods applications for parts such as gears, bushings, and mechanical components requiring tight tolerances and smooth operation.

  • Glass-Filled Nylon: Glass-filled nylon, also known as glass-reinforced nylon, is a composite material where nylon resin is reinforced with glass fibers. This results in a material with improved mechanical properties, including higher tensile strength, stiffness, and resistance to creep. Glass-filled nylon is commonly used in automotive, electrical, and industrial applications for parts such as housings, brackets, and structural components.

  • Polycarbonate (PC): PC is known for its high impact resistance and optical clarity, making it suitable for eyewear, automotive components, and electronics.

  • Nylon (Polyamide): Nylon, or polyamide, is known for its toughness, abrasion resistance, and high tensile strength, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. It is commonly used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and industrial applications for parts such as gears, bearings, connectors, and housings.

  • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS): ABS is a tough and impact-resistant plastic used in automotive parts, electronics, and household appliances.

  • Polyethylene (PE): Known for its versatility, PE is used in various applications such as packaging, automotive parts, and household products. It comes in different forms including high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

  • Polypropylene (PP): PP is lightweight, durable, and resistant to many chemicals, making it suitable for packaging, automotive components, and consumer products.

  • Polystyrene (PS): PS is commonly used in packaging, disposable cutlery, CD cases, and insulation. It can be rigid or foamed, offering different properties for different applications.

Reliant’s expertise lies in utilizing these advanced engineering resins to produce precision-molded parts with exceptional quality and performance. By leveraging these high-grade materials and state-of-the-art injection molding technology, Reliant delivers solutions that meet the stringent requirements of diverse industries and applications.

Overmolding is a specialized injection molding process where two or more materials are molded together to create a single part with multiple layers or components. This process typically involves molding a softer material (usually a thermoplastic elastomer) over a rigid substrate (often a thermoplastic or metal component). Here’s how the overmolding process generally works:

  1. Preparation: The first step involves preparing the rigid substrate, which serves as the base or core of the final overmolded part. This substrate is usually produced separately through traditional injection molding, machining, or other manufacturing processes.

  2. Molding of the Substrate: The prepared substrate is placed into the injection molding machine mold cavity. Molten thermoplastic material is then injected into the mold under high pressure and temperature to form the rigid substrate.

  3. Insertion of Substrate into Second Mold: Once the substrate is molded, it remains in the mold cavity. The mold then opens or rotates to allow for the insertion of the substrate into a second mold cavity. This second cavity is designed to accommodate the overmolding material.

  4. Injection of Overmolding Material: The mold closes, and a different thermoplastic material, typically a softer and more flexible material such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic rubber (TPR), is injected into the mold cavity over the substrate. This material flows around and bonds to the substrate, forming the overmolded layer.

  5. Cooling and Solidification: After the overmolding material is injected, the mold is cooled to solidify the combined structure. The cooling time may vary depending on the materials used and the part’s complexity.

  6. Ejection: Once the part has sufficiently cooled and solidified, the mold opens, and the overmolded part is ejected from the mold cavity.

The overmolding process offers several advantages, including improved part functionality, enhanced grip or ergonomic features, added durability, and aesthetic appeal. It is commonly used in industries such as automotive, electronics, medical devices, and consumer products to create complex, multi-material parts with integrated functionalities.

To get a quote to work with Reliant Worldwide Plastics, you can follow these steps:

  1. Contact Reliant Worldwide Plastics: You can reach out to Reliant Worldwide Plastics through our website link, via email at sales@reliantplastics.com, or by phone at (214)-382-9681.

  2. Provide Project Details: When you contact Reliant, be prepared to provide detailed information about your project. This may include 3D models and 2D drawings, specifications, material requirements, anticipated production volumes, and any other relevant details. The more information you provide, the more accurate the quote will be.

  3. Discuss Requirements: Engage in a discussion with Reliant’s representatives to ensure they fully understand your project requirements, including any specific needs or challenges you may have. This will help them tailor their services to meet your needs effectively.

  4. Request a Quote: Once Reliant has all the necessary information about your project, they will provide you with a quote outlining the estimated cost and timeline for the project. Make sure to ask any questions you may have about the quote or the process.

  5. Review and Negotiate: Review the quote provided by Reliant carefully, paying attention to the pricing, lead times, and any terms and conditions. If necessary, you can negotiate the terms to ensure they align with your expectations and budget.

  6. Finalize Agreement: Once you are satisfied with the quote and terms, finalize the agreement with Reliant Worldwide Plastics. This may involve signing a contract or purchase order outlining the project details, pricing, and delivery schedule.

By following these steps and maintaining clear communication with Reliant Worldwide Plastics throughout the process, you can obtain a quote and initiate a successful collaboration for your injection molding project.

Advanced composite materials are game-changers for manufacturers across a huge range of industries. There is significant value in exploring these materials. Benefits of new composite plastics include:

  • These plastics are up to 50% lighter

  • Same strength

  • High-temperature capability

  • Outstanding flame, smoke, and toxicity resistance

  • Reduced manufacturing costs

  • Integrate complex shapes and geometries

  • Available in any color and texture

  • Repeatable processing

Quality, Approvals, & Testing

At Reliant, quality and on-time delivery is our number one priority. We work diligently to provide our customers with the highest quality parts, when and where they need them.

  • ISO 9001:2015

  • AS9100D

  • Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing Plant

  • Statistical Process Control (SPC)

  • Fabrication Inspection

  • Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)

  • FAA Approved Burn Lab

  • Raw Resin Melt Flow Testing