Eliminating Contamination in Cleanroom Injection Molding
The demand for plastic items created under cleanroom conditions has exploded. Medical, pharmaceutical, electrical device design companies and more, are in high need of plastic components that can only be created under cleanroom injection molding conditions.
Often the guidance on how and where to maintain the most diligence about contamination for cleanroom injection molding comes directly from the specs that are given with the customer's order. Specs for pharmaceutical companies, medical companies, etc often will dictate exactly how thorough the clean room processes will need to be.
Contamination Within the Injection Mold
Right at the beginning of the mold design phase it is necessary to know that the mold will be used in a clean room environment. The designers need to consider mold components that limit the amount of friction, limit the use of lubricants and eliminate the need for release agents during demolding. All things that can cause increased contamination in the clean room.
For instance, Hot runner valve gate system oil leaks can and do occur, which means high quality couplings and fittings for tooling can prevent more than just debugging issues later on. Obviously preventive maintenance keeps costs down and up-time where it should be.
Not maintaining molds properly is another cause for contamination. Diligent injection mold maintenance, guidance from the specs given by the customer and laws that guide the process of management of cleanroom conditions all play a part in what is happening across the industry where clean-room production is taking place.
Contamination During Production
Even the dust that comes off the plastic processing needs to be captured or prevented. Typically automatic handling units are utilized to help prevent human contact with the molded components.
Contamination Raw Material Supply
Raw materials must be produced under cleanroom conditions to be allowed to be used in processing injection molded products in a cleanroom. The characteristics of the material are specifically planned for the specific end product use defined by the customer. Also, vacuum operated feed systems are utilized on machines were feasible so not to contaminate the plastic material.
Human Contamination
Regardless of how many precautions are in place, humans are still the biggest cause of contamination in injection molding cleanrooms. Cleanroom garb cannot be worn out and then back in - sterile means sterile.
We have been setting standards for our performance within the industry for 65 years. Our history of complete financial stability proves our effectiveness. To explore your ability to partner with Crescent Industries contact our employee-owned company Toll Free: 1-800-411-3844, E-Mail: sales@crescentind.com. To learn more about our medical molding division please visit our website www.crescentind.com/crescent_medical_plastics.html.
