Are Your Plastic Components Micro-sized Yet?

Every industry is demanding smaller components. This demand has been taken up by plastic component manufacturers. Smaller plastic components are being manufactured using the process of micro molding. Micro plastic injection molding services have the capabilities to provide components that weigh less than a milligram.What is Micro Molding?

Simply put, micro molding is the process of miniaturizing macro-sized plastic products. This process uses injection molding to manufacture products that feature tight tolerances. These components can be manufactured with diameters as small as 250 microns.Let us take the example of the medical industry.

Traditionally, for several surgical procedures, doctors had to cut open several inches of a patient’s body. Today, with invention of newer technologies, the process of laparoscopy has been developed. In this process, doctors are able to perform the same surgery by making a hole that is a few millimeters or centimeters wide.

What to Look for in Your Micro Molding Process?

When working with a micro plastic injection molding service provider, it is important to outline your requirements. The following steps serve as a guideline to help you communicate your expectations to your manufacturer:

1. Your parts should be manufactured whilst maintain tight tolerances. The accuracy of the manufacturing process as well as the final product should be the same as defined in the product designs and specifications.
2. Repeatability is extremely important. Your manufacturer should be able to repeat the manufacturing process to produce identical parts.
3. Thorough testing should be performed to check the quality of the product. The manufacturer should have special testing tools and processes that allow him to minutely test the functionality of the product and the quality of the materials used.
4. Working with prototypes will allow you to check the quality and functionality of the product. Prototyping also helps in making any changes to the design of the product.
5. As with all other requirements, ensure that the turnaround time and budget is in line with your expectations. The costs and manufacturing time will vary depending on the product. However, a reasonable period of time as well as budget should be affixed prior to signing any contracts.

The process of micro molding has allowed manufacturers to produce components that can be used in conjunction with the latest applications and market demands. With innovations being made in almost all industries that require smaller gadgets and equipment, plastic components are following suit.