Sometimes two-steps are better than one.
Take medical device plastic injection molding, for example: sometimes you need both strength and ergonomics, as you do with surgical instruments which might a need a super-hard plastic “business end,” and a more “soft touch” plastic handle for the surgeon’s sensitive hands.
The answer for manufacturing such medical instruments is a process called two-shot plastic injection molding. There are two phases of the two-shot molding process:
- Like traditional plastic injection molding, a shot of resin is injected into a mold and cooled to form a solid part;
- That just-molded part is transferred to a second mold via some sort of a super-fast robotic conveyance and receives the second shot of resin – in, through or around certain parts of the first molded part, depending on the device being produced.
The two plastic resins then form a molecular bond and the multi-resin molded part is cooled and ejected. And the cycle begins again, all in a few seconds. It sounds easy but it more than doubles the technical issues involved. Two-shot plastic injection molding requires highly-advanced technical expertise and meticulous attention to detail. Even the tiniest mistakes can cost big money, especially in high-volume production runs.
AdvanTech is a global leader in manufacturing highly-sophisticated medical-grade components to tight tolerances and exacting specifications. As such, we are well-acquainted with two-shot molding processes.
Some of the plastic medical devices we produce include:
- Tracheotomy arbutrators
- Nasal syringes
- Dental devices
- Specimen containers
- Pharmaceutical packaging
AdvanTech Plastics has the credentials medical device OEMs look for in a plastic injection molder: we are an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016 and AIB-certified manufacturer. As a reliable, globally competitive maker of medical/dental components and disposables, we offer the world-class facilities and expertise necessary for world-class molding designs, builds, and components.
Two-shot molded medical device manufacturing is not for every plastic injection molder. AdvanTech Plastics is your one-stop resource for American-made medical/dental injection molding solutions, including fully traceable component procurement, packaging, products, and assemblies.