Medical injection molding is an invaluable manufacturing process when it comes to making plastic parts that must adhere to strict FDA-compliance standards and support the function of highly technical and complex medical devices.

With a high level of precision and the ability to tightly control the parameters of the process, injection molding can produce plastic components with tight tolerances with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability.

Medical applications for plastic components can range from IV tubes and syringe parts to pacemaker components and prosthetics, and the demand for medical plastic parts is expected to increase in the coming years. As technology and innovation advances to meet these demands, it is essential that performance and reliability of both the parts and the end-use products remain top priorities.

Implement Design for Manufacturability When Making Plastic Parts

The biggest advantage of medical injection molding is that it supports the reliable and efficient reproduction of plastic parts on a large-scale. This capability is enhanced by Design for Manufacturability.

Design for Manufacturability, or DFM, is defined as the process of optimizing the design of parts and components for easy manufacturing and greater cost-efficiency, as well as increased end-product performance and uniformity. Designing for manufacturability improves part performance by minimizing defects, improving dimensional accuracy, and reducing production time.

When bolstered by the power of predictive modeling software, Design for Manufacturability can also forecast the entire injection molding process, and enable designers and engineers to spot and solve problems early on in the process.

Use Advanced Molding Techniques for Tight Tolerance Control

Tight tolerances are critical in the medical industry as they ensure that the part functions as intended. Some elements of the injection molding process that can impact tolerance control include:

Size and design of the plastic part — Characteristics such as wall thickness, draft angles, and overall product size can all have significant impact on tolerances. Expertise in injection molding is required to avoid product defects, warpage, shrinkage, void areas, and splitting or cracks.

Material selection — Selecting the right material for your specific application is critical. The various types of plastics used in injection molding are all unique in their chemical and physical properties, and therefore some materials will work much better under certain conditions than others. Choosing a manufacturing partner with knowledge and experience can help ensure that you find the right material for your needs.

Tooling — Decisions such as gate and cooling channel placement, along with injection pressure, melting temperature, and ejection pin location are all essential for ensuring the quality of the end-product. Collaborating with a partner who understands the importance of these decisions is vital.

Consistent process controls — Sometimes, after the first few batches are made in full-production, minor tweaks need to be made to the manufacturing process (such as altering temperature, holding times, and pressure) in order to optimize efficiency. Once this is done, it’s important to utilize tools like sensors and other feedback methods to ensure that these parameters remain consistent throughout production.

Continued Performance Testing and Inspection

When it comes to medical injection molding, your parts must meet strict standards.

Longterm Mould’s offers tooling services to meet these needs.

Improve Plastic Part Performance with a Proven Partner

When manufacturing plastic parts for demanding products such as medical devices, you can rest assured that you will get a tooling solution from Longterm Mould’s.

With years of experience, we offer services that cover the entire process, from design assistance to final inspection and quality assurance.

Our capabilities in injection mold manufacturing services make us the ideal partner for medical plastics manufacturing.

Ready to optimize your manufacturing process and ensure the quality and performance of plastic components?