Originally Published
MDDI August 2001
Bulletin Board
Blow molding
machine designed for high output. Fast changeover with extrusion is one
of the qualities featured in the BW8000 line of blow molding machines manufactured
by Uniloy Milacron (Manchester, MI; 734/428-8371). These machines combine a
long stroke with a horizontal shuttle to result in high cavitation and output.
High-volume blow molding may be achieved for bottles 100 ml and larger, with
a full range of resins. Single and double stations are available in compact,
open designs. Quick color, mold, and tooling changeovers are possible with creep-speed
capability for fast tooling and parameter setup. A microprocessor system gives
closed-loop control of proportional valves for high process consistency and
bottle quality.
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Polymer Developed for Use in Synthetic Heart Valves A new material for manufacturing heart valves was developed from Elastomedic, a company that was recently purchased by AorTech Biomaterials (Chatswood, Australia; +61 2 9422 3050). The material was created for the manufacture of dependable heart valves. Elast-Eon comprises high amounts of silicone and polyurethane. The material is durable, tear-resistant, shapable, and stable enough not to react with the human body's chemical composition. It is available in four grades ranging from very flexible to rigid polymers. Because some valves require the patient to have anticoagulants to prevent blood clots from forming around the implants, Elast-Eon was designed to be blood compatible. |
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Film and sheet
downstream system developed. Compounding, devolatilizing, and reactive extrusion
can be achieved with a new three-roll-stack film and sheet downstream system.
The system, offered by American Leistritz Extruder Corp. (Somerville, NJ; 908/685-2333),
is designed for use with the ZSE 27-mm high-speed twin-screw extruder, and produces
5–125-mil-thick samples up to 12 in. wide. Eight-inch diameter, 14-in.
spiral-baffled mirror-finish rolls are used with rotary unions for liquid cooling
or heating. The system has a 3-hp ac flux vector motor drive with a 1000:1 turndown
ratio and 500-pound-per-linear-inch nip pressure from the air cylinders. Also
available are optional items including a gear pump front-end attachment, edge-trim
devices, payoff stations for lamination, winder or guillotine, and coextrusion
packages.
Polycarbonate screws endure high temperatures. The durability of polycarbonate is found in a new line of screws manufactured by Micro Plastics (Flippin, AR; 870/453-2261). The high-impact strength and dimensional stability of these screws make them impervious to high temperatures. They are unaffected by greases, oils, detergents, aliphatic hydrocarbons, most mineral acids, and higher alcohols. Available head styles include pan, Phillips pan, fillister, and hex, and thread sizes range from 440 to 1032. Lengths are offered from 0.25 to 1 in.
Polymers catalog offered. A new catalog from Cyro Industries (Rockaway, NJ; 908/685-2333) describes medical-grade compounds and alloys, with selection charts listing bondability, sterilization characteristics, processability, optics, and chemical and impact resistance. Graphs show the chemical resistance of individual products to lipids and isopropyl alcohol, as well as the effect of gamma irradiation on the products. Featured products include Cyrolite acrylic-based multipolymer compounds, XT polymer acrylic-based multipolymer compounds, Cyrex 200-8005 acrylic-polycarbonate alloys, and Acrylite acrylic molding and extrusion compounds.
Quick molding of tough prototypes. Two new polyurethanes have been added to the Parts-in-Minutes line from Vantico Inc. (East Lansing, MI; 517/351-5900). The RP 6462 R/H Fast is a high-impact-strength, high-heat material intended for rapid, efficient molding of polyethylene-like parts. Once room-temperature cured, the polyurethane exhibits a 2.3-ft lb/in. notched Izod impact strength, a 194(infinity)F-heat deflection temperature, and a 120,000-psi flexural modulus. RP 6463R polyurethane resin is formulated for rapid production of clear, thermoplastic-like prototypes. After curing, the systems exhibit a 136(infinity)F (slow) to 152(infinity)F (fast) heat-deflection temperature and a 1-ft lb/in. notched Izod impact strength. The molded products have flexural moduli in the 240,000-psi range and a 79 Shore D hardness.
Lidding material
developed for silicone-coated trays. A medical-packaging-grade Tyvek lidding
material forms a seal on PETG trays. Oliver Products Co. (Grand Rapids, MI;
800/253-3893) developed NP33/1073B, a nontoxic, hot-melt, heat-sealable
adhesive coating. The coating is applied in a uniform-dot pattern through an
exclusive DotCoat process. This process maintains the breathability of the 1073B.
The resultant adhesive coating provides hot-tack and peelable seals with uniform
adhesive transfer on most rigid plastics. Tyvek is manufactured by DuPont (Wilmington,
DE; 800/441-7515).
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Sheeting
system converts foam and other materials. A system from Contech (Goddard,
KS; 800/961-6449) can sheet and dispense foam and a wide variety of other
materials. According to the company, the EconoCutter offers a low-cost
method for converting roll materials into sheets. Available with single
or dual unwinds in several weight capacities and widths, the sheeting
system also features standard batch control, length control, and foot-pedal
operation. The company can custom design and engineer the EconoCutter
to customers' specifications so that the system is compatible with existing
plant equipment.
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Copyright ©2001 Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry
