| 1 | Exterior housings and covers | ABS, HIPS, or PC/ABS blends | Washers, refrigerators, countertop appliances | Protect internal components and provide the visible finish; appearance defects and warpage can affect fit and perceived quality. | Review color control, surface-finish samples, dimensional inspection, and experience with large cosmetic molds. |
| 2 | Control panels and bezels | ABS, PC/ABS, or polycarbonate | Ovens, washing machines, air conditioners | Locate buttons, displays, and interfaces; precise openings and stable assembly dimensions are important. | Check tolerance plans, insert or secondary-operation capability, and compatibility with coatings or printed graphics. |
| 3 | Internal structural brackets and supports | PP, ABS, or glass-fiber-reinforced nylon (PA) | Motor mounts, chassis supports, internal frames | Maintain component position and help withstand assembly loads, vibration, and operating stresses. | Ask for material-grade traceability, mold-flow or design-for-manufacturing review, and dimensional capability records. |
| 4 | Air ducts and ventilation components | PP, ABS, or heat-resistant polymer grades selected for the design | Dryers, air conditioners, range hoods, refrigerators | Guide airflow and help limit leakage, noise, and interference with nearby parts. | Confirm dimensional inspection of mating features and validation under the product's specified temperature conditions. |
| 5 | Water-contact housings and fittings | PP, POM, or other application-qualified polymers | Dishwashers, water dispensers, washing machines | Help contain or route water; material choice and part design affect sealing and service life. | Review leak-test methods, material documentation, dimensional checks, and validation against the appliance's operating conditions. |
| 6 | Handles, knobs, and latches | ABS, PC/ABS, POM, or reinforced polymers as specified | Refrigerators, ovens, laundry appliances | Frequently touched parts must provide reliable operation, suitable surface quality, and adequate mechanical strength. | Check assembly and cycle-test plans, color consistency, and verification of load-bearing features. |
| 7 | Food-contact components | Food-contact-grade PP, SAN, or other approved grades for the intended market | Blenders, coffee makers, food processors | Material suitability and cleanable surfaces are important where parts contact food or beverages. | Request declarations and test documentation applicable to the destination market and intended conditions of use. |
| 8 | Electrical enclosures and insulating parts | Flame-retardant PC, ABS, or other specified engineering plastics | Power modules, switches, connectors, appliance controls | Separate or protect electrical components; the material and finished design must meet product-specific safety requirements. | Verify the exact resin grade, certification documentation, lot traceability, and required safety testing. |
| 9 | Precision gears and moving mechanisms | POM or application-selected nylon (PA) | Timers, dispensers, adjusters, small drive mechanisms | Dimensional consistency and suitable material properties help support smooth movement and repeatable operation. | Review gear inspection methods, process controls, material conditioning requirements, and functional test results. |
| 10 | Overmolded and insert-molded components | A compatible combination of thermoplastics, elastomers, or metal inserts | Seals, grips, connectors, reinforced mounting points | Combine materials or embed inserts to provide functions that a single molded material may not provide. | Assess insert positioning, bonding or retention validation, process repeatability, and inspection of the completed assembly. |