Pentamode

Pentamode - The way forward

Pentamode was developed by the British Plastics Federation, the Gauge and Toolmakers Association and the Institute of Materials as part of the Partnership in Plastics Programme. This page is a summary of the Pentamode process only. The complete information can be obtained from any of the above organisations.

Tangram Technology supports Pentamode as a effective method of product development.

Pentamode is a structured approach to managing the plastics product development process. It covers 5 key areas: Product Design Tool Design Mould Making Processing Polymer Specification
Pentamode gives guidance on how to manage the process to achieve rapid and coordinated results. There are 2 key activities. These are: Building a team Planning the project Project planning is a key activity that provides a reference for the complete project and should be done at the very start of the project. The chart opposite gives a typical project plan. This can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format by clicking on the graphic. Building a team is essential if any project is going to succeed. Team members should be aware of how the Pentamode process works so that they can contribute effectively at the best times.	Click the picture to download an Adobe Acrobat file of the form.
The 12 key stages are:
1. Concept to product design
2. Preliminary budget prices - Establish project viability
3. Choose a toolmaker A sample tool enquiry form is shown at right. This can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format by clicking on the graphic.	Click the picture to download an Adobe Acrobat file of the form.
4. Set up the Pentamode team
5. Agree product specification and freeze design
6. Tool order confirmation
7. Mould general arrangement drawings
8. Final mould design
9. Pre-delivery mould inspection A sample inspection form is shown at right. This can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format by clicking on the graphic.	Click the picture to download an Adobe Acrobat file of the form.
10. Commissioning and Sampling A sample tool sample form is shown at right. This can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format by clicking on the graphic.	Click the picture to download an Adobe Acrobat file of the form.
11. Rectifications and modifications A sample tool modification form is shown at right. This can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format by clicking on the graphic.	Click the picture to download an Adobe Acrobat file of the form.
12. Completion A sample record of the established running conditions is shown is shown at right and below right. This can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format by clicking on the graphic.	Click the picture to download an Adobe Acrobat file of the form. Click the picture to download an Adobe Acrobat file of the form.