Originally Published MPMN October 2005

OUTSOURCING OUTLOOK

Outsourcing Outlook on Pressure Thermoforming

Company Streamlines Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing of medical trays has been streamlined by a company that has reduced its thermoforming process time to accommodate tight project deadlines and to reduce the stress caused by design challenges in packaging. The company claims it will supply concepts to meet package specifications within days. Once a concept is approved, the company transfers the design from its 3-D SolidWorks software to CNC machines in order to produce the mold. All of the thermoforming equipment is located in a contamination-controlled environment to ensure clean, quality products.
Plastic & Metal Center Inc., Laguna Hills, CA
www.plastic-metal.com

Catheter Balloons Can Be Customized

A provider of outsourcing services for the development and manufacture of catheter balloons offers customization of balloon designs in terms of material, size, shape, strength, and compliance. Balloon production is performed on computerized balloon-forming machines that feature multiple pressure and temperature settings per cycle, mold zone heating for difficult-to-form balloons, pressure profile control during the forming process, centralized display of parameters, electronic output and real-time graphical viewing of forming parameters in lab-view or Excel, and closed-loop control of stretch force and blow pressure. A Class 100,000 cleanroom and development lab were added in 2005.
Interface Associates, Laguna Niguel, CA
www.interfaceusa.com

Polyurethane Thermoformed Low-Pressure Balloons Offer Benefits Over Latex

One of the few manufacturers of three-dimensional thermoformed polyurethane low-pressure balloons is expanding its product line. Although difficulties working with polyurethane often deter companies from entering the market, thermoformed polyurethane balloons provide OEMs with body-to-neck ratios formerly unattainable with latex. Owing to their barrier properties, the polyurethane films offer low gas permeability. The thermoforming process enables the production of balloons in virtually any size and configuration. The polyurethane balloons are offered in 1:10 to 1:50 neck-to-body ratios with availability in thicknesses from 1 to 10 ml. Sizes as small as 0.2 in. can be produced upon request. All polyurethane materials used comply with Class VI specifications.
Polyzen Inc., Apex, NC
www.polyzen.com

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