5. Conclusion

The quality and reliability requirements of today's mechanical systems call for rigorous design methods and a robust manufacturing process. It is this product-process fit that guarantees the expected functionality at the lowest possible cost.

The use of FMEA-type tools (Failure Mode, Effect and Criticality Analysis) enables us to associate a suitable control plan with a chosen molding process. In the case of products requiring a prototype development phase, it will also be necessary to assess their representativeness (prototype molding process compared with the molding process chosen for the series).

On a strictly technical level, we should also mention the gradual spread of tomography, which provides a 3D view of defects that X-rays obviously don't, and the tremendous development of digital simulation, which today even enables us to produce...