Verticle Integration Drives Success In Tolerance Attainment For Micro Molding

By Brett Saddoris, Technical Marketing Manager, Accumold

Micro molding, used in industries like medical devices, demands tight tolerances far beyond traditional manufacturing. This summary explores the key areas for achieving this precision:

• Design: Micro molding requires specific design considerations like shrinkage compensation and consistent wall thickness for dimensional stability.
• Materials: High-performance plastics with minimal shrinkage and good flow characteristics are preferred for micro parts. Vertical integration allows tailored material selection.
• Molding: Precise control of injection parameters like speed and temperature is crucial to avoid dimensional inaccuracies. Optimizing cycle time ensures parts cool evenly and maintain shape.
• Tooling: Micro molds must be fabricated with extreme accuracy to ensure parts meet specifications. Vertical integration allows control over mold making for optimized production.
• Validation: Advanced metrology techniques like CMMs and Micro-CT are used to validate part dimensions with high precision.
• Assembly: Automated assembly is often necessary for delicate micro parts, ensuring precise handling and maintaining tolerances. Vertical integration allows control of assembly for high-quality final products.

In this article explore how vertical integration, offers a significant advantage in achieving tight tolerances throughout the micro molding process. This holistic approach ensures consistent, high-quality micro-molded components for demanding industries.