Maker’s Mark
Back in the day, American public schools had a varied curriculum to provide to their students. In addition to the traditional courses in math, history, geography and English literature, there would be elective courses in one of several practical or shop-related skills: wood and metalworking, electronics, or small engine repair for example. These skills were […]
Designs That Need A Redesign
Last time we talked about what goes into a perfect design. This time we look at some common everyday objects that could use a bit of redesign. All of the following have served their purposes admirably over the years, answering a felt need and in the process becoming ubiquitous in the modern world. But with […]
Can You Build a Better Mousetrap?
Deng Xiaoping famously said that it doesn’t matter if the cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice. And when it comes to catching mice, nothing except the cat has done the job better than the humble mousetrap. We present it here not because we’re enemies of Mus musculus but simply to […]
Will The Internet Of Things Affect Your Future Prototype Designs?
It’s a pretty cool name, the Internet of Things. Attributed to Kevin Ashton in 1999 while he worked at Proctor and Gamble, it’s used to describe the connected world we’re rapidly heading towards, a world in which everyday, ordinary devices carry RFID chips and other low-cost, embedded communication devices. These devices will share information in […]
Getting A Handle On Surface Finish
We’ve talked before about color on a prototype, and the subtle ways that color affects our emotional response to a manufactured object. The final surface finish of a part is also important, not only for the mechanical fitness for a given application but also for the visceral appeal to the end user, although describing this phenomena […]
What’s In A Color?
Remember when personal computers first started coming into the modern workplace? Almost all of them, regardless of manufacturer, used the same ubiquitous colored plastic case. Called “putty”, it was a generic light brown mixed with off-white, and you would find this same color used for printers and copiers, telephones and filing cabinets and fax machines. […]
Star Rapid Takes Delivery Of A New Plastic Injection Molding Machine
Star Rapid has just added to its molding capacity with a new Haitian 90-ton injection molding machine. This machine has a re-designed ceramic heating core that allows for the efficient melting of many kinds of thermoplastics for molding. In addition, the bi-metal screw resists corrosion and can withstand fire-retardant additives. Other recent improvements include updated […]
Intern from Germany
Hey there! I am Vanessa from Germany and I recently started my 3-month internship at Star Rapid. I’m looking forward to my stay here in Zhongshan and hope to learn more about the local business etiquette as well as the Chinese cultural traits. I have finished my apprenticeship in foreign trade in July 2014. Now […]
6000 Mile Job Interview
“You’re going to China?” This was the first thing my friends and family said to me when I told them I was visiting Star Rapid for an extended interview. They couldn’t understand why I would want to work for a company in a developing country as they put it. Well, that couldn’t have been further […]
