INFO CENTER

Latest Posts

Circular Product Design & Manufacturing

Circular Product Design & Manufacturing

Our current linear model is unsustainable. We need to start reconsidering the resources we use and how products are designed. GSS is passionate about integrating circular economy principles into the product design and manufacturing stages of the product cycle.

Types of Plastic Moulds

Types of Plastic Moulds

When manufacturing plastic parts, the type of mould used affects the part quality, mould cost and production rate. The mould types discussed in this article include single cavity, multi cavity, and family moulds.

Benefits of Working with a Global Sourcing Company

Benefits of Working with a Global Sourcing Company

Sourcing & Procurement

Utilising the services of a sourcing company can bring about many benefits for your business. To name a few, it allows you to tap into new resources and skills, takes the weight off your shoulders of organising international procurement, and also results in attractive cost savings.

Common Shipping Container Sizes

Common Shipping Container Sizes

Importing & Logistics

Shipping containers come in a variety of sizes, 20ft and 40ft being the most common lengths. 20ft and 40ft refer to the external length of the container.

Keep up with us on instagram

Branding is fundamental to any sustainable busines

Springs are everywhere - in mattresses, toys, pens

Springs are everywhere - in mattresses, toys, pens, door handles, industrial equipment, mining and drilling equipment, precision instruments and tools, and more. But how are they made?

1. Coiling: This involes winding the wire by a CNC machine or around a shaft, which can be done with either cold or heated wire.
2. Heating: The spring is heated in an oven at a set temperature and then placed aside to cool.
3. Shot Peening: Springs may be sent through a machine where steel balls are shot at the spring to reform the spring and make it less resistant to cracking.
4. Setting: The spring specifications are verified and tested for length.
5. Coating: Springs may be coated with a liquid rubber or plated with another metal such as chromium or zinc to prevent corrosion.

The video shows a spring being coiled.

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #steelspring #springmanufacturing

Why is investment casting is often selected over o

Why is investment casting is often selected over other casting methods?

1. It minimises material waste and energy.
2. It is cost effective as it can provide net shape or near-net shape castings, resulting in significant cost savings in material, labour, and machining.
3. It can also ensure the production of very intricate parts with fine detail, thin walls and complex internal passageways.
4. It can produce excellent as-cast surface finishes, reducing the need for subsequent machining or secondary processing.

Missed our other posts on investment casting? Check out our previous posts!

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #investmentcasting #lostwaxcasting

Steps of the investment casting process: 1. Metal

Steps of the investment casting process:
1. Metal die construction: A die must be created to form the wax patterns into the intended shape of the cast part. Shrinkage is an important consideration in the design of the die.
2. Wax parts production: Since the wax is expendable, the number of wax parts must equal the number of cast parts to be produced. Hot wax is injected into the die and allowed to solidify.
3. Ceramic mould creation: The wax parts are then repeatedly dipped into a slurry of fine-grained silica until the coating reaches the desired thickness. The dried coating forms a ceramic shell around the parts.
4. Wax removal: The hardened ceramic mould is turned upside down and placed in an oven (autoclave) where most of the wax melts and drains away, resulting in a hollow ceramic shell.
5. Pre-pouring: The ceramic mould is heated to 550 – 1100°C, strengthening the mould, eliminating any lefover wax, and evaporating water from the mold material.
6. Pouring: Molten metal is then poured into the mould while it is still hot, filling each mould cavity.
7. Solidification: After the mould has been poured, the metal cools and solidifies.
8. Knockout: Once cooled, the mould shell is broken away from the casting in a knockout operation, which is usually done manually or by water jets.
9. Cleanup: Finishing operations like grinding or sandblasting are commonly used to smooth out any imperfections.

The pictures show various steps of the process.

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #investmentcasting #lostwaxcasting

What is investment casting? Investment casting,

What is investment casting?

Investment casting, also known as lost wax casting, is a manufacturing process used to make precision metal parts and is one of the oldest known metal forming techniques that has been used for thousands of years.

This process involves making expendable investment moulds from a wax pattern that is coated with a ceramic material and turned into a ceramic shell. Molten metal is poured into the mould and is left to cool. The casting is then broken from of the mould, revealing the final cast part.

Learn more about the details of the process in our next post!

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #investmentcasting #lostwaxcasting

Simply tell us what you need! From hardware, to

Simply tell us what you need!

From hardware, to customised components, to retail-ready products, GSS has the experience, knowledge, and network to make it happen. No matter your product or application, GSS would be happy to discuss it with you.

Start by contacting our team through the contact details on our website, link in bio.

#globalsourcingservicesau #GSS #globaltrade #importing #manufacturing

The circular economy model has been gaining signif

The circular economy model has been gaining significant traction in recent years. Here at GSS, we have been actively developing our expertise in this area and are passionate about integrating circular economy principles into the product design and manufacturing stages of the product cycle.

In our newest article, we provide an overview of what circular economy is, and dive deeper into the circular design pillars. We discuss interesting considerations in material selection, product design, engagement strategies, and more.

Head to the INFO CENTER on our website to view the article.

#globalsourcingservicesau #GSS #globaltrade #importing #manufacturing #circulareconomy #circulardesign

GSS are highly customer-focused and aim to build l

GSS are highly customer-focused and aim to build long term relationships with our customers. Our customers see us as an extension of their team, providing access to services usually reserved for larger companies.

Through engaging with our trusted and diverse supply chain, customers are able to increase their competitiveness through benefitting from cost advantages and gain access to products they otherwise would not have been able to include in their product range.

Nothing makes us happier than seeing products that we have worked on with our customers succeed in the market.

#globalsourcingservicesau #GSS #globaltrade #importing #manufacturing

After heat treatment, profiles can also undergo su

From our last post you will know that extrusion co

From our last post you will know that extrusion comes out of the die warped, and this must be corrected by a straightening process.

Once it has been fully cooled, the extrusion is straightened by being mechanically gripped and stretched lengthwise by hydraulic tools, restoring it to its intended shape.

The extrusions are then cut to length and undergo heat treatments to reach their ultimate tensile strength and yield stress. Profiles are put into ovens where their aging process is accelerated.

EXAMPLE:
Untreated 6061 aluminium has a tensile strength of 241 MPa (35000 psi).
Heat-treated 6061 aluminium has a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45000 psi).

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #plasticmolding #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #aluminiumextrusion

After the billet is heated to a point that it is m

Also known as the 'toothpaste process', extrusion

Also known as the 'toothpaste process', extrusion involves pushing material through a die that forms it into a long length with a uniform cross-section.

Aluminium extrusion starts as a billet, which is a solid, cylindrical block of aluminum alloy. Before it is pushed through the die it must be pre-heated in an oven to make it malleable enough for the extrusion process, but not molten. Aluminium billets are usually pre-heated between 400-500 degrees celsius.

Everyday you come into contact with numerous products made from aluminium extrusions, some of which include: window and door frames, curtain tracks, furniture, shelving/racking, among others.

Stay tuned for our upcoming posts explaining the next steps of the aluminium extrusion process.

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #plasticmolding #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #aluminiumextrusion

GSS allows you to focus on your core business, and

GSS allows you to focus on your core business, and we make the rest happen.

#globalsourcingservicesau #GSS #globaltrade #importing #manufacturing

There are 835 active seaports and inland ports wor

There are 835 active seaports and inland ports worldwide. These ports vary in side dramatically, with some having just 1 or 2 container cranes, and others having up to 34. Unsurprisingly, most of world's largest ports are in Asia. Keep reading to find out which 3 ports are the biggest:

1. Port of Shanghai: Handling 43.3 million TEUs annually, Shanghai has been the largest and busiest port in the world since 2010, when it overtook Singapore. The port covers a huge area of 3,619 square kilometers, and serves around 2,000 container ships every month.

2. Port of Singapore: This port handles 37.1 million TEUs annually, which represents around 20% of all the world’s cargo containers. Planned to be completed in 2040, a port extension project will give Singapore the world's largest container terminal, enabling the facility to handle an astounding 65 million TEUs annually.

3. Port of Shenzhen: Handling 25.7 million TEUs annually, this port covers 260km of coastline in Southern China. Over 40 shipping companies have their HQ in Shenzhen, and 6 new ports are planned that will connect the Port of Shenzhen to Hong Kong.

Source: www.shipafreight.com

#globalsourcingservicesau #GSS #globaltrade #importing #manufacturing #logistics #shipping

Did you know that the forging process can create m

Did you know that the forging process can create metal parts that are stronger than those manufactured by other metalworking process?

Compared to casting or other metalworking techniques (which will be covered in future posts), forging yields a very high degree of tensile strength. This high degree of strength is primarily the result of changes to the metal’s grain. In forging, the material is never melted. So, when the solid or heated metal is compressed, the material undergoes metallurgical recrystallisation, and the grain is forced/forged to follow the flow of the finished product. This creates components that are far superior in strength to their machined and casted counterparts.

This is why forging is often used for applications where strength and durability are paramount, including automotive, aerospace, railroad, industrial tools, high-pressure valves & fittings, construction, etc.

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #plasticmolding #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #metalforging

The art of metal forging dates back to as early as

The art of metal forging dates back to as early as 4000 BC, and was first used to produce hand tools and weapons. Forging is a manufacturing process involving the shaping of a metal through hammering, pressing, or rolling.

Since its inception, the process has experienced significant changes, improving efficiency through using forging presses or hammering tools that are powered by electricity, hydraulics, or compressed air. Forging is categorised according to the temperature at which it is performed: cold, warm, or hot forging.

Typical metals used in forging: carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, and copper.

Process in video: Hot forging.

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #plasticmolding #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #metalforging

Since the beginning of containerisation in the 195

Since the beginning of containerisation in the 1950s, containerships have undergone multiple cycles of changes, each bringing to life a new generation of containerships. The first generation of containerships were converted bulk vessels or tankers and could transport up to 1,000 TEUs, and have since come a long way.

1980 - This decade was when the second generation of containerships were born as a result of industrialisation and economies of scale. The size limit of these containerships were guided by the Panama Canal, and came to be known as the Panamax standard. The capacity was about 4,000 TEUs.

2000 - Driven by rapid growth in global trade, the Post Panamax containerships were built to hold a much larger capacity. The rapid increase in the size of containerships triggered infrastructure challenges for many ports, requiring deeper drafts and wider reaches. Post Panamax ships had a capacity of 6,000-8,500 TEUs.

2020 - Today we are in the age of Ultra Large Containerships (ULCS). In 2019, the Megamax-24 (MGX-24) was born, which nearly reaches the technical limits of the Suez Canal. These containerships have a capacity of around 21,000 - 25,000 TEUs.

Source: www.transportgeography.org

#globalsourcingservicesau #GSS #globaltrade #importing #manufacturing #shipping #logistics

We are excited to announce that the new GSS websit

We are excited to announce that the new GSS website is live!

It reflects where we are as a company now, and provides the perfect opportunity for us to continue sharing more about how we add value for our clients.

Our new website covers:
- What we do
- How we work
- Our manufacturing capabilities
- Industries we work in
- And much more

Visit our website: https://globalsourcings.com.au/

#globalsourcingservicesau #GSS #globaltrade #importing #manufacturing

Injection moulding is the most commonly used proce

Injection moulding is the most commonly used process in the manufacturing of plastic parts. It is a highly versatile process and can produce a myriad of parts, including: car bumpers, remote controls, Lego, flower pots, among so many other products.

An injection cycle typically takes between 2 seconds and 2 minutes, depending on the plastic part being made. The process involves melting the raw plastic material in the injection moulding machine, injecting the molten plastic into the mould, cooling time, ejection of the part(s), and post processing.

There are many complex considerations in injection moulding, including:
◾️ 'The shot', which is the amount of material that is to be injected into the mould.
◾️ How to reduce sink marks, which are induced by eneven cooling.
◾️ Mould flow, which describes how plastic will flow into the mould.
◾️ Material choice, which significantly affects the moulding operation and also the part performance. Some common material choices in injection moulding include: nylon, acrylic, POM, ABS, PP, PE, TPU, etc.

Process in the video: Injection moulding using a multi-cavity mould.

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #plasticmolding #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #injectionmolding

Plastic bottles, containers, barrels, toys, wateri

Plastic bottles, containers, barrels, toys, watering cans... All of these items are formed through blow moulding. This process is used to create hollow plastic parts and has roots in glass blowing, a process that has been around since the 1800s where craftsmen would heat glass to melting point and then inflate the glass to the desired shape by blowing through a tube.

The process:
1. Plastic pellets, or nurdles, are fed into the blow moulding machine and are heated to melting point. Blow moulded parts can be formed from a range of thermoplastics, including PP, PET, LDPE, HDPE, and PVC.
2. The plastic is shaped into a tube with a hole at one end, known as a parison.
3. The parison is put into the cavity of the mould and clamped into place.
4. Compressed air then inflates the parison like a balloon to take the shape of the mould.
5. Once the plastic cools, the mould is opened and the part is removed.
6. The part is sent on to receive any additional finishing, if required. In other blow moulding types, like injection blow systems (IBS) and injection stretch blow moulding (ISBM), a preform is used instead of a parison, which is a tube with a single hold made prior to blow moulding through injection moulding.

Process in the video: Blow moulding plastic tanks.

#globalsourcingservicesau #manufacturing #sourcing #procurement #howitsmade #globaltrade #plasticmolding #GSSManufacturingMasterClass #blowmolding

Load More... Follow on Instagram

View on Instagram

Circular Product Design & Manufacturing

Circular Product Design & Manufacturing

Our current linear model is unsustainable. We need to start reconsidering the resources we use and how products are designed. GSS is passionate about integrating circular economy principles into the product design and manufacturing stages of the product cycle.

Types of Plastic Moulds

Types of Plastic Moulds

When manufacturing plastic parts, the type of mould used affects the part quality, mould cost and production rate. The mould types discussed in this article include single cavity, multi cavity, and family moulds.

Benefits of Working with a Global Sourcing Company

Benefits of Working with a Global Sourcing Company

Sourcing & Procurement

Utilising the services of a sourcing company can bring about many benefits for your business. To name a few, it allows you to tap into new resources and skills, takes the weight off your shoulders of organising international procurement, and also results in attractive cost savings.

Common Shipping Container Sizes

Common Shipping Container Sizes

Importing & Logistics

Shipping containers come in a variety of sizes, 20ft and 40ft being the most common lengths. 20ft and 40ft refer to the external length of the container.