Three companies team up to trial a new material for the medical device industry utilizing the latest technology in 3D printed mold tooling. Learn more about the case study results at MD&M West 2022 in Anaheim, California.
We’re proud to announce that we’ve partnered with Mantle Inc. and Foster Corp. in researching some groundbreaking technology for the medical device manufacturing industry. Following the success of our previous studies on applying Mantle’s Technology, our latest project set out to create medical-grade forceps while testing the design, material, manufacturing, and injection molding process with metal 3D printed cavities.
Using Foster’s latest polymer from Arkema, we worked with Mantle to design and produce metal 3D-printed cavities for research and development. We met with Foster in December of 2021 to discuss their supply of the new material, known commercially as Rilsan® FKZM 65 O TD MED, a glass-filled, advanced bio-based polymer designed for medical devices. The material was developed specifically with surgical instruments in mind. Not only does the material offer high performance but emphasizes sustainability, being devised from castor oil.
Considering our shared experience within the medical industry, Foster CEO, Larry Acquarulo and Westminster Tool President, Ray Coombs, discussed running the material with Mantle printed cavities. The idea is that we could create a high quality prototype tool quickly, and Foster would get real-world medical device examples for potential customers.
The material’s high-density glass filling meant it was highly abrasive and would likely pose challenges in a traditional aluminum prototype tool. As a result, metal 3D-printed cavities from Mantle became a popular prospect early on. Mantle’s printed cavities in this situation not only allow for the use of a subgate to mold thousands of parts without worrying about eroding the gates, but they also enable us to put in cooling lines and more effectively control the cavity temperature, which is critical to molding this particular material.
To learn more about Westminster Tool’s case study results, make sure to visit Westminster Tool at MD&M West 2022 at Foster Corp.’s booth #2445.
