Semi-Rigid Foam Manufacturer 2

[ajensen]

Hi All,

I am working on the design of a product which will require a semi-rigid foam - think of a case for an iPod...something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Samba-Travel-...8G2O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1312474994&sr=8-3

Can anyone recommend a few vendors that would be a good fit? You can't see it directly from the images in the page linked to above, but if you cut away the fabric there is a semi rigid foam inside which allows the fabric to hold the shape you see in the Amazon images.

Thanks!

 

[patprimmer]

Google gave 272,000 hits in a few seconds. These are the first 2.

http://www.solartex.com.au/Under+Slab

http://www.ausurethane.com

here is another

metrofoam.com.au

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[Demon3]

That means Google it first before asking others to do your work for you. Why should someone spend their time helping you when you were unwilling to?

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

 

[patprimmer]

Chris

You missed the subtle hint about location ;-)

That is unless he really is located in Australia which I very much doubt as if he where anywhere else but the USA he almost certainly would have said so.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[Demon3]

Oh I didn't miss that. I know it's a favorite of yours and very pertinent. Somehow people in the US forget that the rest of the world exists.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

 

[btrueblood]

There's a rest of the world?

Isn't Aus a suburb of California? Like, a few miles south of Hollywood? You know, that place where Mel and the alligator guy hang out.

 

[ajensen]

I've done many google searches and found several companies I think would work, but I've never worked with this sort of material before and thought there might be a few people in a professional forum like this with direct experience with relevant companies. The one thing I did not expect was to be told

"Google it first before asking others to do your work for you. Why should someone spend their time helping you when you were unwilling to?"

This is a) untrue (I have done my own digging) and b) in my opinion an arrogant and unwelcoming comment to make. Fellow engineers ask me for suggestions on various matters I have become proficient with all the time. I welcome opportunities to share knowledge with them: isn't that what a forum like this is intended for?

To be clear, I am not asking anyone to do my work for me. I have little experience manufacturing with this particular type of material, and was simply asking if anyone knows of a good company to work with to make the product. I'd take a fellow engineer's recommendation over a #1 google search any day of the week.

As a prime example, the first link above is to a company that provides home and commercial insulation - not the type of manufacturer I'm looking for at all. This is for a consumer product, as is shown in the link I originally posted. Search engines are helpful, but a person with direct experience is much more helpful.

I've used this forum a few times before and have always been met with courteous, helpful replies. I was very surprised by the judgmental and condescending tone of some of the replies above.

And yes, I'm in the US.

 

[patprimmer]

ajensen

The quality of the answer is often restricted by the quality of the question.

A better response might have come from a question like this.

I am seeking a supplier of a semi rigid foam liner for a container to hold something like XXXX. It needs to be XXXX durability wise and XXX asthetically.

The part will be X size and I anticipate I will need X parts per year or once only or whatever.

I am in XX state in the USA or XX coast region or whatever and would prefer a local supplier or whatever.

Google has thrown up thousands of prospects, but I am looking for a personal recommendation, especially with regards to whatever as google searches do not identify this quality in the suppliers found.

This site is primarily for engineers to discuss work related engineering problems with their peers without having to wade through a multitude of students, home owners and salesmen and frankly despite what you now say, your OP sounds like it was written by a clerk who did little research and was answered as such. I actually considered red flagging it on those grounds but thought, well maybe with a not to gentle prompt you might indicate what homework you have or have not done and provide the necessary information in a professional manner.

Oh, AND WE DON'T GET PAID FOR THIS. We do it free to help whomever we chose to if we think they are deserving of our help. If you wish to demand service either directly or by implication, then normally that requires a payment for service.

I personally consider it arrogant to chastise someone for lack of service when you ask for something for nothing.

I also note from your history page that you have started 5 threads to ask questions, all at elementary level re engineering and never ever awarded a star in thanks despite several people going well out of their way to help you. You have never contributed by helping anyone else and even press others to search for you even after they give you good leads.

If you read our site policy you will find the term leach used for that type of conduct. The term leach is not in any way meant as a compliment and people regularly disappear from the site if they continue to leach.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[Demon3]

What he said.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

 

[unclesyd]

I would contact Brookwood with your requirements.
There are several approaches to making the product to meet your requirements, such as foam bonded, foam coated, laminated, etc.
I tried to find someone who worked in our applications lab who was familiar with the industry. No Joy.

http://www.brookwoodcos.com/index.html