Selecting the appropriate plastic for a medical application is a complicated process. In addition to mechanical properties and cost, which one must consider for any project, medical product design engineers also must be cognizant of a material’s biocompatibility, its temperature and chemical resistance as regards sterilization and more. Rigorous oversight from regulatory bodies such as FDA add to the hurdles that must be cleared before a product can come to market. A panel discussion at the forthcoming co-located PLASTEC East and Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East trade show and conference in New York will explore these and other facets of the medical material selection process.
A panel of experts will convene at the Medtech Hub (booth 1669) on June 11 at noon to discuss the ins and outs of material selection during a session titled, Choosing the Right Plastic for Your Medical Device. In the course of the conversation moderated by Michael Paloian, President of Integrated Design Systems, the panelists will explain the role that the material plays in optimizing design for manufacturing, assembly, sterilization and testing of the device.
The members of the panel bring a deep well of expertise to this topic. They include:
- Lauren BoBrek, Business Development Leader, Sabic;
- Ed Flaherty, Application Development Engineer, Nexeo Plastics;
- Ken Breeding, New Business Development Associate, Eastman Chemical;
- Larry Acquarulo, CEO, Foster Corp.
Among them, they have all the answers, but you are encouraged to bring your questions, as well.
A number of other sessions at the co-located event will explore other topics that are top of mind among medical device and other manufacturers.
Also at the Medtech Hub (booth 1669), Erick Rios, Vice President of Engineering at design bureau Big Bang, will speak to the intersection of the physical and digital worlds, where we all increasingly live, and suggest ways that product design must adapt. Hardware and software teams working within their own silos are not equipped to handle this new reality of integrated and connected products and services. It has become necessary to rethink the process for developing these devices, he says. Rios will share his thoughts on June 13 at 1 PM.
Over in the Smart Manufacturing and 3D Printing Hub in booth 102, manufacturers can learn how innovations in digital and additive manufacturing can improve productivity on their shop floor.
Michael Jacobs, President and CEO of Applied Manufacturing Technologies, will proffer practical advice on incorporating elements of the factory of the future on June 11 at 11 AM.
At 1 PM, a panel will debate the safe co-existence of humans and cobots, followed at 2 PM with another panel devoted to the economics of part consolidation.
A number of sessions on all three days of the show will explore the latest trends in 3D printing, including mass customization and the integration of ceramics into the additive manufacturing materials portfolio.
In addition to dozens of education presentations and interactive sessions, the event will welcome more than 550 exhibitors showcasing materials, plastics processing equipment and services, packaging, product design, automation and much more.
PLASTEC East and Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East run alongside Automation Technology Expo (ATX) East, EastPack, Atlantic Design & Manufacturing and Quality Expo at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York on June 11 to 13. For more information and to register to attend, go to the event website.
