Medical and Dental Custom Plastic Injection Molding

Custom plastic injection molding is used for many purposes in the medical and dental industry. Some examples of custom plastic injection molding used for medical and dental purposes include manufacturing packaging, pouches, surgery components, cups, vials, vent filters, medical technology equipment, caps and jars.

When it comes to manufacturing plastic medical and dental items, there are two main types of molding: plastic injection molding and micro-precision plastic injection molding.

The Basic Plastic Injection Molding Process

Injection molding is a manufacturing process and just like the name implies, the process includes by injecting plastics into a mold fit for medical and dental products. The plastic is heated to a fluid state and forced into the mold cavity, where it is allowed to cool and harden to the shape of the mold. This forms the intended medical or dental product.

Micro-Precision Plastic Injection Molding Parts

Micro-molding machines offer a true molding capability to meet the most demanding miniature applications. In recent years, there has been an increasing demand of micro molding applications in medical products. Micro-molding applications usually are used in products with tight tolerance structure, small in weight and with micro features.

First, the product has to be designed by engineers and subsequently, a mold is made from the design by a tool maker or mold maker. The material used for the mold is normally from metal, particularly stainless steel, but other materials can be used such as aluminum. Injection molding can be used for very large items down to the tiniest of items.

Custom Design

A medical or dental piece must be custom designed to be able to facilitate the molding process. Engineers will consider the type of plastic needed as well as the desired features and shape, different materials used for the mold and the aspects of the molding machine.

Much of the versatility of injection molding is down to knowledge in the molding process and to the capability of design. A project begins with meeting mold engineers and toolmakers to design the precise mold that will be able to produce injection molded products with exact micro-tolerances.

To achieve quality plastic injection molding product results, plastics manufacturers must be able to carry out the following steps:

• Have the knowledge and ability to use micro and standard precision molding processes
• Have an understanding of the intended project and how the plastic component will function
• Be able to understand how to design and manufacture the product and its components
• Possess the necessary skills in tool making for the mold design
• Success in selecting the proper plastic materials for manufacturing of the product

The art of plastic injection molding is a skilled, precise process and it is important to find a manufacturer who will sit down with you and discuss in detail all the options available. They must be able to explain the molding process and how such a process will produce the medical and dental plastic injection molding products you need. Microdyne Plastics is a certified (FDA) Medical Device Manufacturer, licensed through the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch.