The medical sector has embraced the high standards that plastic injection molding can offer6/23/2020 The medical sector has embraced the high standards that plastic injection molding can offer. Insert molding, especially on a vertical molding press, can hold tight tolerances while also offering design flexibility. These machines provide quicker cycle runs and the option of running up to 12 different molds on one machine at the same time. Many of today’s new and innovative healthcare devices are made from a combination of thermoplastic resin and specialty medical components, such as cannulae, tubing, wires, cables, stampings and delicate sensors. Advancements in molding technology offer the ability to mold delicate components directly into the devices, rather than incorporating them later through machining, gluing, or ultrasonic welding. Reinventing the technology While this technology might not be brand new in and of itself, the process has been reinvented with the use of book molds. Most vertical molding equipment on the market is configured with the top half of the mold attached to the upper platen of the molding machine. The top then closes down with force onto the bottom plate. It is often difficult to hold delicate inserts in place during the injection molding process, even more so with horizontal molding machines. The possibility for delicate inserts to be interrupted or misplaced is often greater than what manufacturing managers would like to admit. The inserts loaded in the bottom half must be held securely in place so that, when the top closes, neither the mold nor the delicate insert is damaged. Damage to the mold can be substantial, especially when the two halves close under high tonnage around steel or other rigid materials, so it is important to locate and carefully secure components in place during molding. Still, factors such as operator misplacement or shuttle/rotary table vibration can mean damage to the mold or the inserts. Book molds can help A solution that has helped eliminate these complications is using book molds mounted on a rotary table press. Book molds have become prevalent in the production of medical devices, specifically for medical injection molding. They differ from traditional molds as they are typically hinged to each other and open/close like a book (hence the name). These molds can be used on traditional vertical presses, but are commonly found on vertical molding machines with rotary tables. Reference: medicaldesignandoutsourcing.com
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