Medical Molding

Medical injection molding is but one sector of the plastic injection molding industry. It has been a solid industry segment that has provided security and growth even during recent economic hard times. Healthcare continues to be in strong demand as a result of an aging U.S. population and a growing concern for improved global well being. Medical device companies continue to develop next generation technology that calls for more and more complex components. While medical injection molding offers a molder a more stable market, it does require additional systems.

A good medical injection molder will have:

• Strict qualification and validation systems
• Compliance and Regulatory managers
• Clean room capabilities – FDA approved
• Follow good manufacturing practices (GMP)
• Close tolerance injection presses
• Automation for assembly and packaging

Plastic medical injection molding components have advantages over other materials. They are lightweight and can be cost-effectively molded into complex shapes. Many medical devises today require high temperature resins that need to withstand multiple sterilizations. Many components require “soft touch” materials that are often applied in a two-shot press. Polcarbonate remains a preferred engineering resin for the medical devise industry. It has great clarity and impact resistance. Other resins commonly used are PVC, PP, PE and PS.

Tight tolerance presses have been developed in recent years allowing molders to have greater control over their processes and in part quality.

Concor has been working with medical injection molders for decades. It is important that part quality meet the customer’s requirement. Product failure in the field is unacceptable. Our customers have often asked us to design injection units to meet specific requirements. This involves looking at the materials being processed, the shot requirements and the cycle parameters. Selection of the proper feedscrew, barrel, shut-off valve, end cap and nozzle materials is critical. Often times a stainless based through hardened tool steel material is used to prevent material from sticking to the components which results in burned resin and unacceptable parts.

A medical injection molding feedscrew design does not add any cost to the screw. It is a service we provide to make sure our customer’s have every advantage in successfully molding their products. Contact us today.