DFM for Micro Molding: What Changes at Micro Scale
Many medical components are labeled “unmoldable” during early design reviews. That conclusion often comes from applying traditional rules instead of using molding. At the macro level, standard design for manufacturing practices work well. However, when features move into the micro range, those same rules can limit what is possible. While DfM for micro molding shares many elements with conventional DfM, it is not simply a scaled-down version. It requires a different way of thinking about design, manufacturing, and cost. At the micro scale, three major shifts occur. 1. Tolerances must match true function Designers often see the possibilities of micro molding and apply extremely tight tolerances across an entire part. At the micro level, this approach creates unnecessary complexity. Instead, teams should: Identify which features drive performance Tighten tolerances in keys…
