MN 220 - Basic Plastics Processing

Description
This course provides students with an overview of making polymer based products in a manufacturing setting. Various molding process including Injection Molding, Blowmolding, Extrusion Forming, Thermoforming, and other processes, as well as the nomenclature associated with them, are examined. The course assumes students have little or no prior knowledge of the manufacturing activities of making plastic products. Students spend time in a lab setting each week, doing a variety of different types of experiments.

Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 6
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pathway Degree with Manufacturing and Applied Technology Concentration, A.A., Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology Certificate, Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology, A.A.A.S., Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology, A.A.A.S. (Ferris State University-Manufacturing Engineering Technology), Plastics-Polymer Engineering Technology, A.A.A.S. (Ferris State University-Plastics Engineering Technology)

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate an understanding of where plastics come from and advantages and disadvantages to plastics.
Demonstrate an understanding of several different types of molding process, including Injection Molding, Blow Molding, Extrusion Molding and Thermoforming.
Compare and contrast the differences of different types of plastics and the relationships to each other.
Identify the differences between a Thermoplastic and Thermoset.
Demonstrate knowledge of Crystalline and Amorphous plastics including the characteristics of these materials and how they relate to different types of plastics.
Complete work accurately, with attention to detail.
Work well in teams and with others.

Course Outline:
I Introduction

A. History and Future of Plastics

B. Making of Plastics

C. Thermoplastic properties and uses

D. Thermosetting properties and uses

II. Thermosetting processes

A.    Compression molding and equipment
B.    Transfer molding and equipment
C.    Injection molding thermosets
D.    Reinforcing processes

1.    hand lay-up
2.    spray-up
3.    match metal compression molding
4.    premix and sheet molding

III Thermoplastic Processes

A. Injection molding

1.    machine components
2.    types of machines
3.    two color molding

B. Extrusion
C. Blow molding

1. types of materials processed
2. types of machines

D. Injection of blow molding
E. Laminating

1. thermoplastics
2. thermosets

G. Rotational molding

1. material and equipment used

H.    Casting
I.    Dip casting
J.    Slush casting
K.    Thermoforming

1. vacuum forming
2. cavity/drape forming

3.   vacum snap-back forming
4.    plug and ring forming
5.    pressure forming
6.    blow forming
7.    stretch forming

L. Forming processes

1.    expandable polystyrene
2.    urethane foaming
3.    injection foam molding

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Audio Visual Materials: 0-10%

Demonstrations: 30-40%

Lecture: 5-10%

Laboratory Experiments: 40-50%
Mandatory Course Components:
Lab Packet
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: N/A

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios
Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 6
People Soft Course ID Number: 101531
Course CIP Code: 48.9999
Maximum Course Enrollment: 14
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: Yes
If yes, with which high schools?: Coopersville High School, Van Buren Tech Center
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Business & Industry
Department: Manufacturing
Discipline: MN
First Term Valid: Fall 2019 (8/1/2019)
1st Catalog Year: 2019-2020
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Work experience must be in a related field with a minimum of 4,000 work hours. Bachelors degree in related field

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20230217T13:59:22
Course Review & Revision Year: 2027-2028