Thin-Walled Micro Injection Molding For Devices

Thin-Walled Micro Injection Molding For Devices

Articles, Isometric
Isometric Micro Molding's micromachining of micro molds enables thin-walled micro injection molding in thermoplastic, silicone, and metal.  To mold micro thin-wall devices, polymer selection, ultra-precision tooling, and knowledge of CFD (computational fluid dynamics) is critical. For micro molded devices to be small, compliant, comfortable, and/or flexible, they may require very wall thicknesses as thin as 0.002″ (50 µm). Also necessary is the analysis, tooling, processing, and handling of very thin-walled micro molded components. A growing number of medical and drug delivery devices require extremely thin walls that are consistent, pliable, and strong enough for either single-use or multiple uses over an extended period of time. Thin-walled vessels always accompany a discussion about aspect ratio (how thin and for how long it’s thin). In this article, we will highlight some examples…
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Secrets of Success in Micro Molding – part 2

Secrets of Success in Micro Molding – part 2

General, Isometric, News
Micro Molding: High Aspect Ratio, Thin-Wall Micro Molded Devices Secrets of Success in Micro Molding - Part 2 The smallest components in a medical device or drug delivery device are often the enabling components of the device. Examples of these devices are Polymeric needles, catheter sheaths, microfluidic channels, endoscopic links, and PCR wells. As the components of these devices get smaller, the tolerances and wall thicknesses follow suit. Tolerances of +/- 5 microns (~+/- 0.0002”) and wall thicknesses of 25-250 microns (0.001”-0.010”) are common. Although challenges exist in creating these tolerances in both the steel mold and the micro molded components, the determining factor for wall thicknesses this thin is dependent on the aspect ratio, where the wall thickness is with respect to gate location and end of fill. The…
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