In POS most fabrication processes are traditional and well mastered. The expertise of a POS specialist is more situated in the right selection, cross tuning and guiding of the different fabrication processes for all composing items and this in the most early stage of the product developing process:

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Mould Industrial tool in the appropriate material, a shape into which a hot liquid is poured and left to set solid to produce a product in the shape of the mould. This hardening can be increased with pressure.

Profile A fairly economic industrial tool used to extrude (pull in a form) a material (metal or plastic). E.g. aluminum profiles.

Vaccuum- or thermoforming The process of heating a thermoplastic sheet and then forming it into a finished shape by means of heat and pressure.

Injection moulding Molding technique for plastic materials used for production of large quantities considering the cost of the mould.

Extrusion A method of processing plastics where the material is pushed through a die under pressure to form a continuous strip of a particular shape.

Laser cutting Laser assisted cutting is usually used for materials with important thickness. Also laser engraving and welding. Slow process and hence only used for high precision low quantity production series. No tooling cost, only set up cost.

Punching/piercing (computer assisted) Involves perforating, notching, cutting or making complex forms in metal by means of tools. Panels with a thickness of up to 2 mm. Often standard tools are used.

Embossing Process producing raised or sunk images on thin materials; blind embossing (An image pressed into a sheet without ink or foil.), ink or foil embossing.

Welding and soldering Welding and soldering are fabrication processes that join materials, usually metals or thermoplastics.

Over and underrun (or overs) A quantity produced and delivered less or larger than is ordered, permissible within the agreed tolerance degree of variation (in plus and minus). Waste Planned non-usable spoilage (imperfect parts) for all industrial operations. After industrial tools, the cost of spoiled ground material often represent the major fixed cost of any industrial process where machines need to be 'set-up' for custom made piece. more..