5 Types Injection Molding For Medical Devices

Due to the advancements in manufacturing technology, medical device technology has become smaller, which allows the parts to be molded to fit more efficiently.Here, we will talk about the 5 types injection molding for medical devices.

Thin Wall Medical Devices Injection Molding

Thin walls are commonly used to improve the comfort and function of certain medical devices. Creating walls that are thin relative to the whole device allows them to be made thinner. Although the process requires regular injection equipment, the walls are molded using a base material that's made of plastic, such as polypropylene or nylon. Depending on the type of device being made, the materials used for injection molding will be subjected to varying levels of pressure and temperature. Thin walls are often found in medical equipment such as surgical tools and wearable devices. They can also be used in non-invasive applications, such as those related to cosmetic procedures.

Gas-assisted Medical Devices Injection Molding

When parts are made with regular injection molding, they can easily get damaged, which could make them look unappetizing. Since thick areas of a mould tend to cool more slowly than thin ones after being injected, the uneven distribution of resin can cause parts to get sunken. Gas-assisted injection moulding is used to solve this issue by running gas (usually nitrogen) through channels built into the mould.  Gas-assisted Medical Devices Injection Molding |C2: The hollow path formed by the gas is then used to create a smooth part with no sink marks.This method is commonly used to create complex components without any visual blemishes. However, this method is not ideal for parts with sharp corners.

Medical Devices 3D Printing

3D printing is not a type of injection mold. Instead, it's commonly used to create prototypes for a certain product before it's produced. Although 3D printing can be used to produce injection molded parts, the technology currently doesn't have the tolerances needed for these types of parts. For medical device parts, metal isn't required to be molded into a mold. Instead, they can be made using 3D printing.

Metal Injection Molding

Although gas and traditional injection molding are very popular in medical device manufacturing, metal over plastic can be used. In metal injection molding, a powder is made from a mixture of metals, and it's then produced into a form called feedstock, which is a plastic binding agent. This process involves taking the binder out of the mixture after it's injected. It can be done through various methods, such as a solvent or a catalyst.

Medical Devices Liquid Silicone Injection Molding

Medical Devices Breathing Masks and Tubes With hygienic features. Some medical devices have a higher need to remain hygienic. This type of liquid silicone injection molding is known to feature a high chemical resistance and is commonly used for making medical devices. They also require a clean production room to prevent the particles from entering the mold. Another benefit is that silicone is biologically inert, meaning it doesn’t react with biological tissue and can be implanted safely in the body. Silicon dioxide is the basic raw material for making silicone rubber, which is used to make medical devices.

TEAM MFG offers a series of injection molding methods for your medical devices manufacturing, contact us today to learn more now!