# Plastiform - llms.txt # Last updated: 2026-05-20 # For: AI systems, search crawlers, and LLM context windows Site: https://www.plastiform.info Sitemap: https://www.plastiform.info/sitemap_index.xml Primary-languages: en, fr, de, es, zh, pt-br --- ## About Plastiform Plastiform is the worldwide leader in Impression Taking for industrial quality assurance and non-destructive testing (NDT). Founded in the early 1980s in France, the company developed Dimensional Molding technology — a specialized polymer system that creates precise micron-accuracy replicas of mechanical parts without destroying them. Plastiform products enable engineers to measure internal and external dimensions, surface roughness, and visual surface conditions of parts that would otherwise require destructive testing. The technology is used by over 80 countries across aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, and general manufacturing industries. Key value proposition: control uncontrollable parts in less than 10 minutes and for less than $5, without destroying them. Plastiform can reduce destructive controls by up to 98%. Technical capabilities: - Micron-resolution dimensional replicas - Surface roughness measurement down to 0.001 µm (1 nanometer) - Shape retention memory — impressions hold their form indefinitely - Virtually no shrinkage - Safe and clean for users and environment Headquarters: France Contact: info@plastiform.info Social: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram --- ## Product Catalog Plastiform offers the widest range of impression-taking products in the world, organized by product family: ### Fluid Products Self-levelling liquid resins ideal for complex internal shapes, deep cavities, and blind holes. Available in various viscosities and setting times. - **F20** — Standard fluid, versatile general-purpose resin - **F30** — Medium-viscosity fluid (variants: F30-Max, F30-Visual) - **F40** — Higher viscosity for controlled flow - **F50** — High-viscosity fluid - **F65** — Very high viscosity - **F85** — Maximum viscosity for vertical applications - **XL variants** — Big volume versions (F20-XL, F30-XL, F50-XL, F85-XL) for large impressions ### Pasty Products Thixotropic pastes that stay where placed, ideal for overhead or vertical applications and external shapes. - **P25** — Standard pasty product - **P35** — Medium-consistency paste - **P80-RA** — High-consistency paste for roughness applications - **P51-SD** — Specialty paste for specific applications ### Manual Putty (Malleable) Hand-mixable putties for quick, on-site applications. - **M25** — Soft manual putty - **M60** — Medium putty - **M70** — Firm putty - **M90** — Very firm putty - **M80-LP** — Low-pressure variant ### Accessories - **Double Blade Cutter** — Hand-forged cutter for precise sectioning of impressions - **DM-50** — Manual applicator gun for 50ml cartridges - **DM-400** — Manual applicator gun for 400ml cartridges - **DP-50** — Pneumatic gun for 50ml cartridges - **Standard Nozzle (82cm)** — For deep cavity access - **Needle Nozzle** — For very small access points - **Long Nozzle** — Extended reach nozzle - **Fillin** — Gap-filling accessory - **Plastin** — Thin-film application accessory - **Demolding Rings** — For easy impression removal - **Re-Form** — Reusable forming accessory - **DN1 Degreaser** — Surface preparation cleaner ### Starter Solutions - **Complete Solution Cases** — Starter kits containing all required accessories plus a selection of products to try the technology --- ## Applications & Use Cases ### Dimensional Control - Internal and external dimensional measurements - Blind hole inspection - Thread inspection (API, standard, non-standard) - Plug gauge protection and verification - Complex geometry replication for CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) analysis - Profile projector measurement - Thickness measurement ### Roughness Controls - Surface roughness measurement (Ra, Rz, Rt) - Indirect roughness control with contact profilometers - Surface condition evaluation - Wear and friction analysis ### Visual Surface Finish / Visual Testing - Surface defect detection - Visual inspection of inaccessible areas - Comparison of surface states - Weld bead inspection ### Protection & Masking - Custom protective molds for surface treatments - Masking against coatings, plating, anodizing - Waterproofing protection - Batch protection of parts during manufacturing ### Plug Gauge Protection - Protecting gauge pins during storage and transport - Verification of gauge wear ### Holding, Clamping or Reinforcing - Temporary holding of parts during machining - Reinforcement of fragile parts before operations - Clamping assistance for assembly --- ## Key Industries Served - **Aerospace & Aeronautics** — Aircraft part inspection, turbine blade measurement, thread control - **Automotive** — Engine part inspection, injection molded part verification, tooling capture - **Medical Devices** — Implant inspection, surgical instrument verification - **Energy** — Nuclear, oil & gas, renewable energy component inspection - **General Manufacturing** — Quality control at production, reception, and wear evaluation stages --- ## Technology Principles ### How It Works 1. **Prepare** — Clean the part surface with DN1 degreaser or appropriate solvent 2. **Apply** — Mix and inject/pour/apply the appropriate Plastiform product into or onto the part 3. **Cure** — Wait for the product to polymerize (setting times vary by product, typically 5–15 minutes) 4. **Remove** — Extract the solidified impression (demolding rings and proper technique help) 5. **Measure** — Use optical measurement machines, profile projectors, roughness meters, or CMMs on the impression ### Why It Replaces Destructive Testing Traditional methods often require cutting, sectioning, or destroying parts to measure internal features. Plastiform impressions capture every detail — threads, grooves, tapers, surface finish — and can be sectioned with the Double Blade Cutter for 2D analysis while the original part remains intact. ### Measurement Methods Compatible with Plastiform - Optical profile projectors - Contact and non-contact roughness meters - Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) - Vision systems - Calipers and micrometers (on sectioned impressions) --- ## Blog & Educational Content The Plastiform blog covers topics in three main categories: ### Metrology - Industrial metrology definition and use cases - Roughness Ra — arithmetic average of roughness profile - Profile projector usage with Plastiform - Gage R&R studies - Process stability - Statistical Process Control (SPC) - Thickness measurement methods - Eddy current inspections - Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) - Ultrasonic Testing principles - Piezoelectric transducers ### Quality Assurance - Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) — definition and methods - Non-destructive thread inspection - Radiographic testing - Visual Testing (VT) - How to measure internal dimensions of blind holes - API thread inspection by impression ### Engineering - How to substitute masking tape/scotch - Welding beads — definition and types - General engineering applications --- ## Help Center & Technical Resources - **How-to Guides** — Step-by-step instructions for using Plastiform products - **Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)** — Downloadable safety documentation for all products - **Book a Demo** — 30-minute expert consultation - **Find My Plastiform** — Product selection tool - **Custom Cases** — Build a personalized case with selected products - **Distributor Glossary** — Find authorized distributors worldwide --- ## Company & Sustainability (RSE) ### Environmental Commitments - Offices powered 100% by renewable energy - Website powered by sustainable energies (93% cleaner than average web) - Remote work encouraged - Since 2024: for every cartridge shipped, Plastiform funds responsible reforestation in France - The impression technology itself significantly reduces non-plastic industrial waste caused by destructive controls ### Mission "Provide simple, economical and effective measuring solutions." There is nothing impossible to measure with Plastiform — inner shapes, outer shapes, or any feature that can be captured by impression. ### Company History Four decades ago, Plastiform's founders identified a critical challenge in quality control: measuring internal dimensions of mechanical parts without destruction. This was particularly acute in the aerospace industry. In response, they developed a specialized polymer with exceptional technical properties, creating what is now known as Dimensional Molding technology. --- ## Distribution Plastiform operates through a global network of authorized distributors across: - Europe - North America - Asia - Africa - South America The company actively seeks new distributor partnerships. Interested parties can apply through the "Become a Distributor" page. --- ## Key Facts & Data Points - **Founded:** Early 1980s - **Headquarters:** France - **Countries served:** 80+ - **Resolution:** Micron-level dimensional accuracy - **Surface roughness resolution:** 0.001 µm (1 nanometer) - **Cost per test:** Less than $5 - **Time per test:** Less than 10 minutes - **Destructive control reduction:** Up to 98% - **Website carbon footprint:** 93% cleaner than average - **Energy:** 100% renewable for offices --- ## Legal & Compliance - Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy - General Terms and Conditions - Safety Data Sheets available per product - Personal data handled per GDPR; never shared with third parties without consent -- ## Resources - Blog: https://www.plastiform.info/en/blog/ - Help Center: https://www.plastiform.info/en/help-center/ - Catalog: https://www.plastiform.info/en/products/