Liquid injection molding company Silcotech (Bolton, ON, Canada) has developed what it calls a "step change in liquid silicone rubber (LSR) processing" in collaboration with Dow Corning (Midland, MI). Using the Dow Corning QP1 silicone elastomer product family, Silcotech has created a multishot processing system that is capable of simultaneously molding nine discreet substrates or shapes in a range of durometers, textures and colors. The technology has been applied to high-output molding of intricate medical device designs, according to Dow Corning Healthcare Application Engineer Roger Hendrick. He is scheduled to be at the Silcotech booth (W-7253) at NPE2015 to answer customer questions.
The simultaneous multishot silicone system reportedly comes at a price point that is comparable to single-shot systems, yet is capable of leveraging the full range of durometers in the QP1 family of materials in a single application. The video below shows the process.
The technology represents a paradigm shift by allowing medical device manufacturers to design with a new template that adds a whole new dimension of options, according to Silcotech President Michael Maloney. "Our customers can now cost-effectively produce finished, highly differentiated components in a single process that integrates materials with different durometers, chemical functional groups, surface textures, colors and other properties," says Maloney. "The potential combinations for designers are virtually endless."
During NPE2015, Silcotech will produce multi-durometer phone covers that seamlessly integrate eight discrete QP1 silicone elastomer grades in one of nine different colors.
