PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Spotlight on Moulding Services
Complex parts
A company is able to produce complex parts that combine different biocompatible materials. Pictured is one example of a moulded product that incorporates silicone, Dacron tissue, and a shape-memory alloy. One department devoted to biomaterials and another that develops testing equipment, laboratory devices, surgical devices, and related equipment can accommodate OEM requests ranging from product development and design to production. Cleanroom services include dip, compression, and transfer moulding of silicone. Polyurethane, PMMA, and biodegradable materials are also routinely processed. The company is certified to EN 46002; specific quality procedures can be defined in relation to customer needs. Statice Santé, Besançon, France.
Moulding services
A company that provides a full range of OEM services offers simultaneous parts design and development according to client specifications. In-house CAD/CAM systems and mould construction guarantee confidentiality; state-of-the-art tools and prototyping techniques are a priority. Subassembly work can be accommodated, and a Class 100,000 cleanroom is on-site. Erta CMS, Tielt, Belgium.
Custom device manufacture
A complex of cleanrooms operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to providing injection moulding and assembly of custom medical devices, the company produces its own moulds and recently began offering automated machine manufacture. Product development services are also available. Betraine Medical Devices, Lewes, E Sussex, UK.
Metal injection moulding
Metal injection moulding combines the advantages of the conventional moulding process with the strength and corrosion resistance of such materials as stainless steel, nickel and cobalt alloys, and bronze.The technology is suited for the production of small intricate parts with fine details including internal and external threads, compound curved surfaces, and nontraditional shaped recesses. Surgical instruments, such as those incorporating gripper teeth, can be manufactured accurately and cost-effectively by means of metal injection moulding. Metal Injection Mouldings Ltd., Altrincham, Cheshire, UK.
Moulded parts
Millions of parts are moulded annually for medical device manufacturers in a company's network of Class 100,000 cleanrooms. ISO standards and good manufacturing practices are combined with internal standards such as statistical process control and CPK to ensure that products meet all critical quality requirements. In addition to injection moulding and assembly, the company has expertise in product development and design of medical devices, diagnostic disposables, and drug delivery systems. Nypro Inc., Clinton, MA, USA.
Custom parts and assemblies
Medium- and high-volume injection moulding and assembly of custom plastic parts and assemblies is performed in Class 10,000 cleanrooms equipped with Class 100 laminar flow hoods. Concurrent engineering with CAD/CAM systems is used to optimize component design, and technical assistance is provided for materials selection. Assembly, testing, packaging, logistics, and postprocess operations are also available at the ISO 9001–certified company. Plastic Omnium Medical, La Verpillière, France.
Disposables
Plastic disposables and liquid-handling components are manufactured according to stringent quality assurance procedures that extend to materials selection. The facility is equipped with a cleanroom and centralized material supply, drying, and preparation area. Production is performed in three shifts to meet tight deadlines. The precision parts of the moulds, which are built in-house, are continuously monitored during the entire manufacturing process. Eppendorf-Netheler-Hinz GmbH, Hamburg, Germany.
Silicone liquid injection moulding
A company that provides complete component moulding capabilities recently added silicone liquid injection moulding (LIM) to its services. Silicone LIM is suited for moulding complex design configurations that require close tolerances, square inside corners, sealing, and O-ring grooves. The company offers design assistance, short- and long-run production capabilities, and fast turnaround for prototype designs. Implantable-grade silicones are available. B. Braun Medical Inc., Bethlehem, PA, USA.
Insert moulding
A company that develops and manufactures filtration, venting, and flow control devices for the medical device and pharmaceutical sectors specializes in insert moulding single- or multilayer filtration media into plastic housings. Operations in Europe and the United States provide a full range of services including filter media selection, product design, prototyping, product validation, and process development. The company's ISO 9001–certified facility in Ireland is equipped with moulding presses ranging in clamp force from 25 to 650 t, bimaterial injection moulding capabilities, Class 100,000 cleanrooms, and automated assembly equipment. Filtertek S.A., Plailly, France.
