Mastering Plastic Material Selection

A Comprehensive 2.5-Day LIVE & IN-PERSON Training Course

In today’s competitive market, selecting the right plastic material is paramount to product success. With a vast array of resins available, understanding how your material impacts performance, design, and manufacturability is a critical engineering skill.

This in-depth, practical program guides you through a systematic approach to material selection, empowering you to optimize design, minimize risk, and prevent costly product failures.

Course Logistics & Investment

• Dates: September 29 – October 1, 2026
• Duration: 2.5 Days
• Location: Plustech, Inc. |111 Northwest Point Blvd. | Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
• Cost: $1,500 (Includes daily lunches and course materials)

What You Will Learn

Our curriculum is designed to take you from foundational theory to real-world application through four core modules:

1. The Selection Process & Strategy

• The “Why”: Explore the primary motives behind selecting or switching materials.
• Setting the Stage: Learn how to define requirements before the search begins to ensure a successful outcome.

2. Structure, Properties, and Design

• The Molecular Foundation: Delve into the basics of polymers and how their structure dictates behavior.
• Learning from Failure: Analyze how plastic failure provides the best roadmap for future selection.
• Beyond the Datasheet: Recognize the limitations of standard material datasheets and where to find the “real” data.

3. Navigating Candidate Materials

• Material Families: Become familiar with various resin families and their unique characteristics.
• Environmental Suitability: Evaluate how chemicals, temperature, and UV impact long-term performance.
• Advanced Tools: Discover how to leverage simulation and risk management tools to narrow down candidates.

4. Hands-On Case Studies

Apply your knowledge to real-world industry examples. Practice and refine your skills in a collaborative, practical environment led by our expert engineers.

Meet Your Instructors

Learn directly from the industry leaders at The Madison Group. Our instructors bring decades of forensic failure analysis and design experience to the classroom.

Dr. Javier Cruz | Senior Managing Engineer & Partner | Dr. Cruz completed his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is a leading expert in aging, compatibility, and analytical testing for medical devices, electronics, and consumer products.

Dr. Paul Gramann  | President & Founding Partner | Dr. Gramann holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. A specialist in plastic failure analysis and design, he has authored over 100 publications and is a frequent international speaker on polymer performance.

Jeffrey A. Jansen | Senior Managing Engineer | A Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), Jeff has over 30 years of experience and has performed thousands of failure investigations. He is a renowned expert in material identification and lifetime prediction.

Registration & Billing Information

To ensure a seamless experience, we utilize a structured invoicing timeline for our in-person courses.

Please note: Full payment is required 30 days prior to the start date to secure your seat and course materials.

Benefits of Attending

• Minimize Risk: Reduce the likelihood of field failures through better material choices.
• Optimize Production: Enhance design for manufacturability (DFM) to streamline your production.
• Network: Engage with fellow industry professionals and the experts at The Madison Group.

Ready to secure your spot?