Just because trade events and conferences are postponed and travel has been restricted, it doesn't mean that innovation has to slow down. Learn about the enabling power of micro injection molding from this Accumold Virtual Trade Show video.

This video gives insight on a dental medical device’s journey from the prototype phase to production. The device needed to be small enough to image rear teeth, robust enough to replace physical impressions, and had to make precision measurements for prosthetics. The process involved complex optics, steps to ensure hygienic sterilization, high resolution 3D imaging, and more. Download the video to see how it was done.

Thrombus accumulation on blood contacting-devices such as catheters, vascular stents, or hemodialyzers, can lead to device failure or serious complications and has a significant impact on patient care, quality of life, and overall healthcare costs. The functional properties of Endexo^® additive technology can modify the surfaces of blood-contacting devices to reduce adhesion and activation of blood components, thereby significantly reducing thrombus formation, associated complications, and overall costs.

Recent innovations with Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) systems and bioresorbable polymers are redefining opportunities for the 3D printing of medical devices with complex geometries across a range of application areas. SLS systems utilize a high-powered laser to selectively melt and fuse powder particles of a bioresorbable polymer in a layer by layer process to manufacture a final implantable medical device part. Depending on the part geometry, these systems can typically print geometries as small as 0.4 mm with a tolerance of +/- 0.25 mm.

Mold flow analysis is not required for the injection molding process. But maybe it should be, especially considering it can help to predict manufacturing issues before production starts.

Digital manufacturing uses technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Machine Learning (ML) to connect services, supply chains, products, and processes. In doing so, it provides greater visibility into the entire supply chain.

Cost can influence nearly all aspects of your project, from material selection and surface finish to the types of features you include. When determining which technique to use at different points in the product development process, a cost comparison analysis can be helpful to provide a sense of when to start thinking about 3D printing or injection molding for your prototypes or production run.

These complementary processes can be adapted to serve countless prototyping and full-production demands, boosting medtechs’ bottom lines and speeding time to market.

Developing medical device parts is a high-stakes process, and material choice is an important decision. Five strong contenders include PEEK, PEI, and PPSU; polycarbonates; medical-grade liquid silicone rubber; and 3D-printed titanium and ABS-like WaterShed XC 11122. 

Instead of creating merely conceptual models not durable for long-term use, 3D printing now is being used in machining, injection molding, and other conventional manufacturing processes. This article explores technology leaders in this area, and assesses the production capabilities for each 3D printing process.