Spotlight on Molding Services 14637

Originally Published MPMN July/August 2002

SPOTLIGHT

Spotlight on Molding Services

Overmolding services

A company specializes in the production of close-tolerance, multiresin, multicolor, and two-shot overmolded parts and their assemblies. Also offering steel tool development and injection molding, the firm operates from facilities that are ISO 9002 certified. Process control equipment, vision camera systems, and robotic manufacturing devices ensure quality. Assembly, packaging, machining, welding, pad printing, and other value-added services are also offered. Scientific Molding Corp., 330 SMC Dr., Somerset, WI 54025.

Injection molding services

Injection molding services are available to produce components and assemblies for drug-delivery systems, diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, blood-therapy devices, and IV disposables. The finished components are flexible and lightweight and can help to reduce device costs. Mold design and production services are also offered. American Technical Molding, 2052 W. 11th St., Upland, CA 91786.

Complex Injection Molding

Precision injection-molded parts with complex shapes are produced with tight tolerances. The components are constructed from a range of FDA-compliant materials, including polyetheretherketone, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, nylon, and acetal. Acceptable production quantities span from a single prototype to full production levels. An in-house tool room is available to provide quick turnaround times. Design engineering and material selection assistance services are also provided. Patrick Plastics Corp., 1300 Nagle Blvd., Batavia, IL 60510.

Molded components

A company offers injection molding of device components that require precision and consistency. Equipped with a Class 100,000 cleanroom, the firm performs detailed front-end analysis to ensure that the parts meet customer specifications. A variety of secondary services are also offered, including ultrasonic welding, hot stamping, machining, drilling, silk- screening, coating, and bar coding. Plastics Engineering & Development Inc., 2731 Loker Ave. W., Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Molded tanks

Portable batch tanks are rotationally molded in sizes of 15 to 250 L. The high-density polyethylene units can be specified with nonmetallic sanitary fittings, loose-fitting dust or bolt-on gasketed covers, and swivel, locking, or fixed casters. Tank stands are constructed from nonmetallic or stainless- or plated-steel materials. The company uses a nitrogen welding process to allow flexibility in the positioning of fittings and appurtenances. Terracon Corp., 5 Boynton Rd., Holliston, MA 01746.

Rapid molding process

Offering an alternative to investment, sand, and die-casting, a rapid molding process uses permanent graphite molds to produce electro-optical components from a zinc aluminum alloy. Approximately the same density as cast iron, this alloy is hard and strong and allows machining. Typical turnaround time from receipt of the finished CAD to shipping of the first article samples is 4 to 6 weeks. Finished parts have a lustrous finish that does not require treatment to prevent corrosion. Graphicast Inc., 36 Knight St., Jaffrey, NH 03452.

Injection-molded components

Featuring an in-house mold shop and a Class 1000 cleanroom, a company offers thermoplastics injection molding services. For fluoropolymer materials, the firm provides compression, automatic, and isostatic molding. Other manufacturing services include ultrasonic welding, heat staking, hot stamping, pad printing, and assembly. Folding, bending, shaping, and welding processes are available to insert nonmetallic materials into housing containers, support brackets, and fixtures. Amicon Plastics, 8500 Commerce Park Dr., Ste. 110, Houston, TX 77036.

Plastic tools and parts

Injection-molded plastic tools and parts can be supplied for a range of medical applications. Components requiring insert molding are produced using a vertical injection molding machine with a 25-tn hydraulic clamp, a 12-station rotary table, and 100 function timers. All of the company's machines are interfaced with manufacturing robots and real-time statistical process controls to ensure quality. The firm is ISO 9001 certified and features a Class 100,000 cleanroom. Inland Technologies Inc., 7851 Cherry Ave., Fontana, CA 92336.

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