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September 1, 2020
Initial Design Considerations for Injection Molded Medical Device Plastics
Initial Design Considerations for Injection Molded Medical Device Plastics
Plastic materials are found in the majority of medical devices today, from syringes and tubes to oxygen masks and surgical devices. But without the right plastic materials’ knowledge, your part concept may not be a quality device that is reliable, producible, or affordable. When someone else’s life depends on the quality of your product, you want to make sure you get it right the first time. There are three main areas on which to focus when designing a plastic part for a medical device: the materials, the injection process, and the mold.
When designing a part for a medical device, you first must decide on the best material to use for your particular part, considering both its functionality as well as how easy and reliable it is in the manufacturing process. Next, you need to understand the injection process and the effects it can have on your selected material’s properties. Working with an expert molder who understands how to optimize the settings of their injection units is critical. Finally, you must take the time and spend the money to create a well-designed mold that holds up to the manufacturing process, works well with your chosen injection machine, and creates a part that meets all the specifications required.
To read more about these initial design considerations for injection molded plastic parts in medical devices, please click here.
When designing a part for a medical device, you first must decide on the best material to use for your particular part, considering both its functionality as well as how easy and reliable it is in the manufacturing process. Next, you need to understand the injection process and the effects it can have on your selected material’s properties. Working with an expert molder who understands how to optimize the settings of their injection units is critical. Finally, you must take the time and spend the money to create a well-designed mold that holds up to the manufacturing process, works well with your chosen injection machine, and creates a part that meets all the specifications required.
To read more about these initial design considerations for injection molded plastic parts in medical devices, please click here.
September 2, 2020
New Injection Printing Process Invented by Researchers at University of Massachusetts Lowell
New Injection Printing Process Invented by Researchers at University of Massachusetts Lowell
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell have invented a new hybrid manufacturing process they call “injection printing”. The new method combines FFF (extrusion-based) 3D printing and injection molding to create new parts that are stronger and stiffer while also increasing production rates. First, a hollow shell is printed using the FFF 3D printing process. Then the same nozzle is used to inject a polymer, filling the cavity of the hollow shell.
The researchers created impact specimens using both traditional 3D printing and the new injection printing process. Comparing the two specimens they found the average stiffness, strength, and strain to failure of the injection printed parts were 21%, 47%, and 35% higher respectively than the traditional FFF 3D printed parts. The injection printing process was also found to be 3.2 times faster than the FFF 3D process. The new injection printing process shows great promise for high-density production, combining the benefits of FFF 3D printing and injection molding. To read more about the patent-pending injection printing process, click here.
The researchers created impact specimens using both traditional 3D printing and the new injection printing process. Comparing the two specimens they found the average stiffness, strength, and strain to failure of the injection printed parts were 21%, 47%, and 35% higher respectively than the traditional FFF 3D printed parts. The injection printing process was also found to be 3.2 times faster than the FFF 3D process. The new injection printing process shows great promise for high-density production, combining the benefits of FFF 3D printing and injection molding. To read more about the patent-pending injection printing process, click here.
September 3, 2020
Tubi Opens Two Mobile Pipe Extrusion Plants in FL
Tubi Opens Two Mobile Pipe Extrusion Plants in FL
Tubi, an Australian pipe solutions manufacturer, announced recently that the company now has two mobile extrusion HDPE pressure pipe plants operational at a mobile manufacturing site in Bartow, Florida. The plants are capable of producing 500-foot pipe lengths at the site with the highest production rates and the most advanced quality control monitoring in the world. The Tubi plants in central Florida allow customers faster access to HDPE pipe, reducing costs for transportation and carbon emissions. In addition, the 500-foot lengths reduce the number of weld joints, increasing reliability while decreasing installation costs. This is the second site for Tubi, with a current plant already operational in Odessa, Texas and another planned for Tucson, Arizona in September 2020. To read more about the announcement, click here.
September 4, 2020
United Poly Systems Is the First Manufacturer to Achieve NSF UL 651A Standard Certification
United Poly Systems Is the First Manufacturer to Achieve NSF UL 651A Standard Certification
An increasing need for electrical conduit that offers continuous lengths of coil as well as moisture and corrosion control at low temperatures has led to companies exploring the use of HDPE piping for electrical conduit. Until now, no company had achieved the UL standard for HDPE electrical conduit. In July 2020, NSF International awarded the first ever UL Standard 651A certification to United Poly Systems, LLC for their polyethylene electrical conduit pipe.
In order to meet National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70, the UL Standard 651A includes Schedules 40 and 80 as well as EPEC-A and -B. The UL 651A standard ensures the product has been tested for characteristics such as crush and impact resistance, moisture penetration, corrosion resistance, materials and dimensions and also ensures an in-plant quality control program exists. With this new certification, United Poly Systems is able to demonstrate their product’s performance, quality, and safety to companies looking to design new systems with their HDPE conduit. To read more about this first of its kind certification, click here.
In order to meet National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70, the UL Standard 651A includes Schedules 40 and 80 as well as EPEC-A and -B. The UL 651A standard ensures the product has been tested for characteristics such as crush and impact resistance, moisture penetration, corrosion resistance, materials and dimensions and also ensures an in-plant quality control program exists. With this new certification, United Poly Systems is able to demonstrate their product’s performance, quality, and safety to companies looking to design new systems with their HDPE conduit. To read more about this first of its kind certification, click here.
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