Combining LSR Expertise with Vertically Integrated Capabilities to Maximize ROI

Effective material selection: By understanding and evaluating application requirements, LSR experts can collaborate with your team to choose the right material to cost-effectively meet product specifications and performance needs. There is a range of liquid silicone rubbers available, and an experienced partner can collaborate with you as you narrow your options based on the functionality and aesthetics your application requires.

Improved DFM: Different materials behave differently throughout the manufacturing process. That’s why experience with a range of materials helps you achieve a repeatable design for medical liquid silicone rubber components and assemblies. As part of the DFM process, not only can a CMO with expertise in multiple materials ensure that your product can be manufactured to achieve the performance characteristics you require — like sealing, feel/grip, dampening/absorption and more — but they can also identify issues in your designs that would cause costly project delays due to quality assurance issues.

Optimized tooling: LSR injection molding is quite different from thermoplastic injection molding. The low viscosity of LSR materials means precise tooling is crucial to avoid flash. In addition, LSR components are often smaller which introduces venting and other challenges to the mold making process. Sourcing high-quality tools specialized for LSR applications improves production efficiency and part quality. The tools’ proximity to LSR injection molding and assembly experts ensures continued learning and efficient communication, giving customers a competitive advantage throughout the product lifecycle.

Precise manufacturing & assembly: All areas of expertise come together in the production process. Medical device injection molding and assembly often requires controlled, sterile cleanroom environments that are subject to ISO and FDA regulatory compliance. Working with a partner that offers these services under one roof ensures that experts in manufacturing and assembly have open, proactive dialogue about potential challenges and inefficiencies that can easily be resolved. When it comes time to assembly of your finished device(s), a deep understanding of both LSR and thermoplastics ensures your partner follows best practices across mechanical assemblies, plastic machining, ultrasonic welding, laser marking, kitting, and more. This accountability can give you peace of mind that you’re receiving the highest-quality final assemblies to prevent failure in the field.

A complete, cost-effective supply chain partner: Vertically integrated contract manufacturing can maximize the ROI on your LSR investment. From start to finish, an experienced partner can help select the right material, ensure manufacturability, produce optimal tooling, and execute seamless production to deliver the greater value today’s OEMs need to succeed. Not only will your CMO deliver high-performing precision LSR components, but they can also assist you with sourcing additional components and sub-assemblies to keep your team focused on critical product innovations. Leveraging your CMO’s existing supply chain partners, as well as their potential in-house capabilities to injection mold your other components, will help you reduce complexity and save your resources.