How to Spot Design Deficiencies in Tooling for Injection Molding
Today’s Medical Developments, in its latest article, features Intricon discussing how identifying and correcting injection molding tool design deficiencies early helps medical device OEMs improve part quality, reduce costs, and speed time to market.
Excerpt from the article:
In medical device manufacturing, the quality of tooling for thermoplastic injection molding can make or break your products – impacting efficiency, yield, cost, reliability, and time to market. Yet too often, molded parts and tools are designed without input from manufacturing experts, leading to defects derailing timelines and inflating costs.
Knowing how to identify and prevent these flaws gives original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) a clear competitive advantage. Here’s how to spot design deficiencies in tools for injection molding – and how to avoid them.
High stakes of tool design in medical device manufacturing
Tooling design directly influences product quality, safety, and performance. Design flaws such as poor venting, inadequate cooling, and unfavorable part geometry often produce unacceptable plastic parts that fail to meet spec due to:
- Part failures: Short shots, leaks, and structural weaknesses
- Cosmetic issues: Burn marks, flash, and blemishes
- Production inefficiencies: High scrap rates, extended cycle times, and reduced output
The consequences of failures include patient safety risks, erosion of brand trust, regulatory delays, and costly rework and production downtime – all stemming from preventable design missteps.