One of the reasons people design medical products with rubber molding is because of its versatility. While it may not be the intricate part that makes a device work, it is often the medical liquid injection molding that holds the piece together, protects the surface or describes what it does. When you’re designing a new portable medical device, you will probably want something durable that can be made to very specific dimensions with a very lean tolerance. Here are some ways that medical liquid injection molding can be used on your device.
Versatility
Medical rubber molding is versatile in that it can be used in a number of environments. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, medical liquid injection molding can serve as many parts on one device. For example, it can be molded as separate pieces in the form of gaskets, plugs, buttons or rubber keypads. For portable medical appliances, such as a defibrillator kit or a home blood pressure checking machine, medical liquid injection molding is used for tubing and non-conductive connective pieces. These pieces are inserted into the device after the machine itself and the casing have been manufactured.
Flexibility
Medical liquid injection molding has great flexibility. While it is molded into a specific shape, the shape itself can be bent and twisted when it’s not attached to or supported by something else. For example, a gasket will fit securely around the blood pressure monitor’s plastic casing or two pieces that fit together. It won’t move, creating a flat seam around the outside of the device. Before the medical liquid injection molding piece is inserted where it belongs, it resembles the flexibility of a cooked spaghetti noodle. It has some give to it, making it easy to install, but difficult to remove. It can also be glued in place with adhesive when necessary.
Protection
Medical liquid injection molding is also used as a protective outer shell for fragile devices with surfaces that scratch easily. A defibrillator set cover, for example, might be made of hard plastic. When carried around by a paramedic, it may bang against doors and walls. It might be set down on the cement or asphalt half a dozen times a day. A medical rubber molding cover wrapped around the handle and the bottom of the case will give it protection and help the device last much longer.
Labeling
Medical liquid injection molding can be labeled with printing or logos in a variety of ways, making it useful for rubber keypads, identifying products and labeling parts. Medical liquid injection molding can be screen printed or laser etched. The letters can be put on the top exterior surface or printed on the underside of the rubber keypads. When used as an exterior protective cover, the label might tell the user what it is or how to use it. For topside key applications, a background color and contrasting letter are used. For underside keypad applications, the key is clear or backlit so that the lettering shows through.
At SiTECH, we can make different components with medical liquid injection molding to suit your devices. We can make multiple parts to serve as gaskets, plugs, tubes and protective wraps for your stationary and portable machines. Contact us for a quote or more information.
