Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Computer Graphics - you may well think that the design engineering world has come a long, long way in the relatively few years since its primary tools were pencils, compasses and set-squares, with the occasional help of a few basic reference handbooks.
The incredible advances in design engineering tools will continue - and not just as a proliferation of computer software, but in new technologies as well. Each advance demands new learning technique from the designer and can save you time and broaden your conceptual horizon. However, often only those designers with a good understanding of the fundamentals of design and materials engineering will feel comfortable. Others may seem to get more confuse with the new concept rather than to resolve any existing problems.
Thermoplastics compete with metals, ceramic and glass. It feature light weight, resistance to corrosion, strength under load, easy fabrication into complex shapes, simple colouring and finishing, and broad compatibility with other materials. Here are some of the foundations of good design principles in engineering thermoplastics.