Originally Published EMDM
September 2004
Spotlight
Moulding services |
Metal injection moulding
Small metal and ceramic components can be manufactured by means of a low-cost advanced metal injection moulding (AMIM) technology. The production process is unique to the company, and is based on metal injection moulding. A range of materials, including stainless steel, Hastelloy, tungsten carbide, and copper, can be accommodated. According to the company, AMIM reduces the cost of metal components by up to 50% and can produce complex intricate designs to a net shape. Both low and high volumes of products can be produced. The company offers in-house tool design and manufacture.
Egide UK Ltd., Rendlesham, Suffolk, UK.
Miniature components
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Multipart plastic and metal components measuring <2 mm diam are manufactured. The company achieves tolerances less than 1¼10 of the width of a human hair, and material thicknesses down to 0.1 mm. To ensure strict process control, critical equipment is developed and constructed in-house. A flexible production setup enables the manufacture of both small batches and high volumes.
Sonion A/S, Roskilde, Denmark.
Precision moulding
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Complex injection-moulded fittings are designed and manufactured with and without hot-channel technology. The company specializes in the manufacture of precision nozzles for drug delivery, especially nebulizers. Plastic parts can be produced with tight tolerances in materials such as PP and PE. Production capabilities include tooling design and construction, plastic injection moulding, and assembly. The company offers procurement, production, and distribution of medical technology products.
Paritec GmbH, Weilheim, Germany.
Disposable medical devices
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Injection moulding facilities house state-of-the-art equipment to produce high-quality precision components. The company offers full product life-cycle management. Capabilities include mould design and building, insert and overmoulding, medical assemblies, sterile packaging, sonic welding, and hot stamping. Tonnage capacity ranges from 22 to 660 tn. The company’s facilities include Class 10,000 and Class 100,000 cleanrooms for complex device assembly, as well as controlled manufacturing environments. Avail Medical Products Europe, Luxembourg.
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Balloon forming
A benchtop unit is designed to automatically form various sizes of balloons from polymer tubing. Product features include quick and easy mould changes, fast cycle time, selective-zone electric heating, and water-jacket mould cooling. Certain features of the machine can be customized to specific requirements. The unit also features hot-metal moulds and optional cold-plastic moulds with heater jaws. Forming pressures up to 1000 psi are possible.
Interface Associates, Aliso Viejo, CA, USA.
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Polyurethane moulding
Elastomeric and cellular polyurethane (PU) can be custom moulded for a range of applications. The PU can be formulated in many ways to achieve specific technical requirements. The company can produce single PU mouldings, multiple-PU-layer mouldings, PU moulded with inserts made from wood, plastic, and metal, and PU moulded to rubber or TPU. Mouldings can weigh from a few grams to several kilograms. The PU material can be poured, injected, or sprayed into the mould as required, using a range of moulding machines.
Apple Polyurethanes, Radstock, Bath, UK.
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Microcomponents
High-value components, subassemblies, and services are offered to fluidic instrumentation OEMs. The company specializes in the tight-tolerance moulding, extrusion, and machining of high-performance engineering thermoplastics, corrosion-resistant metals, and ultrahard materials such as sapphire, zirconia ceramics, and ruby. Product lines include tubing, precision dispense pumps and pump components, micro- and nanoscale components, valves, fittings, filters and frits, flow cells, balls and seats, and seals.
Scivex, Oak Harbor, WA, USA.
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Cleanroom moulding
Mould manufacturing, injection moulding, and assembly services are performed in cleanroom facilities on a contract basis for medical device manufacturers. The company manufactures systems and device components for parenterally administered medicines. Mixing is carried out on a K4 internal mixer, which can produce approximately 3000 tn of rubber per year. Each mix is uniquely identified, and traceability is maintained throughout the manufacturing process.
West Pharmaceutical Services Cornwall Ltd., St. Austell, Cornwall, UK.
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