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Exploring the Benefits of Plastic Thermoforming for Medical Device Manufacturing

What is Plastic Thermoforming and How Does it Benefit Medical Device Manufacturing?

Plastic thermoforming is a manufacturing process that uses heat and pressure to form thermoplastic material into desired shapes. It is a popular method used in the production of medical devices, as it offers numerous advantages over other traditional manufacturing techniques such as injection molding, fiberglass, and sheet metal. The process can be used to create complex, intricate parts with tight tolerances and superior surface finishes, while also allowing for cost-effective production runs. In addition, plastic thermoforming can be used to produce parts with unique features such as integrated hinges and snap-fit components, and bonded attachment hardware. By utilizing these techniques, medical device manufacturers can create high-quality products that meet the stringent requirements of their industry.

The Advantages of Using Plastic Thermoforming for Medical Device Manufacturing

Plastic thermoforming offers many advantages in medical device manufacturing, including cost effective large parts, tight tolerances, industry compliant material, and improved product consistency. Thermoforming can produce high quality, complex, and aesthetically designed medical device parts for everything from device enclosures and paneling to laboratory equipment components and patient bed parts.

Siemens medical device enclosure – pressure formed, surface finished, branding applied, and attachment hardware bonded all at Productive Plastics

Use your mouse or touch screen to interact with and rotate the pressure formed part image. Don’t forget to click on the red hot spots to learn more about the unique thermoforming features of this part.

What are the Different Types of Plastic Thermoforming Processes?

Plastic thermoforming is comprised of two different subtype processes, vacuum forming and pressure forming that can be used in medical device manufacturing. Each type of process has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the application. Vacuum forming is often used for creating large parts with complex geometries while pressure forming is often used for producing small parts with intricate details.

Choosing the Right Type of Plastic Thermoforming Process, Material, and Custom Thermoforming Manufacturer

When it comes to producing medical devices, the type of plastic thermoforming process, thermoplastic material, and custom thermoforming manufacturer you choose are critical decisions. With so many options available, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each process and how they can meet your specific production needs. Finding a plastic thermoforming manufacturer with experience in the medical device manufacturing field that can assist with matching your project to the ideal process, material, secondary assembly, and surface finishing options can play a pivotal role in the ultimate success of your project.

Unlock the Benefits of Plastic Thermoforming for Medical Device

Productive Plastics has extensive experience producing custom multi-part component assemblies for numerous industry leading medical device manufacturers. We strive to be a trusted advisor throughout the entire product development process from prototype design through the final delivery of your thermoformed components or assembly. Our highly skilled engineers, manufacturing technicians, and support staff will work with your team to develop the right design, material, and process for your medical device project. Maximizing the advantages of plastic thermoforming and minimizing the cost and production time for your product.

Please visit our Custom Thermoforming for Medical Device page or contact our team to explore plastic thermoforming for your next medical device project.

Additive Manufacturing Advancing Custom Thermoforming at Productive Plastics

Productive Plastics featured on formlabs’s blog – 3D printed innovations for thermoforming

Productive Plastics was honored to be featured on the formlabs industry blog on January 12th, Problem Solving on the Factory Floor: Manufacturing Aids at Productive Plastics. The article highlights some of the tech and innovations we employ on the manufacturing floor, in particular, our utilization of in-house 3D printed manufacturing accessories to increase process efficiency, reduce lead times, and  maximize the benefits of manufacturing parts and enclosures with plastic thermoforming. All part of our commitment to provide our customers with the highest quality and most cost-effective custom thermoforming solutions in the industry.

Antimicrobial Plastics for Thermoforming Manufactured Custom Components

The demand for antimicrobial plastics has risen in recent years as yet another countermeasure to bacterial and viral health threats, such as COVID-19. As a result, plastic and thermoplastic material suppliers have responded by producing a wide range of thermoplastic sheet options, used in the plastic thermoforming manufacturing process, that posses antimicrobial properties and other benefits advantageous to a wide range of industries, not just healthcare.

What is antimicrobial plastic?

Antimicrobial plastics are produced with an additive in the base polymer designed to block the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, mold, and fungi. The additive integrates into the structure of the plastic, so this benefit exists for the entire product life. These materials are generally measured using ISO 22196:2001 and/or JIS Z 2801 Standards. These antimicrobial additives can also provide an addition benefit to the longevity and structural integrity of a component by protecting against plastic material damaging bacteria that can, over time, degrade certain types of plastic.

Common Antimicrobial Additives for Thermoplastic

Antimicrobial Advantages for Thermoplastic

  • Inhibiting surface growth of bacteria, mold, and fungi
  • Durability – Bacteria may break down polymers over time, by blocking the growth, these additives may provide greater longevity.
  • Reducing odor/discoloration
  • Surface antimicrobial protection between cleanings
  • Antimicrobial protection for the duration of product life

Antimicrobial Thermoplastic Material Datasheets

Below are just a few examples of antimicrobial materials available for plastic thermoformed components

Antimicrobial Industry Applications

Custom Plastic Thermoformed Components with Antimicrobial Properties at Productive Plastics

Productive Plastics has experience working with antimicrobial plastics and long standing relationships with industry leading thermoplastic material suppliers. Our experts can advise you and your team on selecting the ideal thermoplastic to meet the performance demands of your next project. Please contact us to get started!

Thermoforming for Multi-Part Assemblies – Webinar Recording Available

If you were unable to attend our technical webinar this week on the capabilities and advantages of Thermoforming for Mult-Part Assemblies, a recording of the live event is now available on our YouTube channel.

Here is what was covered in the webinar:

  • Vacuum vs Pressure Forming
  • Material Considerations
  • Application to match process
  • Attachment Methods
  • Tolerance Considerations
  • Product Finishing
  • Q&A

Stay tuned for future technical plastic thermoforming webinars from Productive Plastics

Thermoforming for Multi-Part Assembly – Live Webinar with McConnell Co.

At Productive Plastics, many of the thermoformed plastic parts that we manufacture for our customers are not stand-alone pieces, but components of an assembly or multi-part enclosure.  Like a puzzle, these individual parts must be manufactured to fit together with precision and uniformity to successfully create the finished product.

Productive hosted a live webinar on December 6th, 2022, with renown thermoforming expert Robert Browning of the McConnell Company discussing considerations for designing and manufacturing a multi-part assembly with plastic thermoformed parts.

  Some of the topics we covered:

  • Vacuum vs Pressure Forming
  • Material Considerations
  • Application to match process
  • Attachment Methods
  • Tolerance Considerations
  • Product Finishing
  • Q&A

Update* see a recording of this webinar at the link below:

Productive Plastics Welcomes Kyle Davidson to the Sales and Marketing Team 

I am pleased to announce the addition of Kyle Davidson to the Sales and Marketing team at Productive Plastics.

Kyle has extensive experience supporting manufacturing and service companies with challenges such as product lifecycle management, composite tooling and formwork, rapid prototyping, and technopolymer adoption. As the Sales Manager of Cincinnati Incorporated’s Additive Manufacturing Division, he pioneered the adoption of innovative processes such as Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM).

Institutional accolades include an MBA from Villanova University and a seat on the Seton Hall University Customer Service (CX) Advisory Board.

Kyle will be working closely with myself and the rest of the Productive Plastics team to bring you the highest level of service and quality thermoforming manufacturing in the industry.

Regards,

Evan Gilham
President | Productive Plastics


Kyle Davidson

Sales and Marketing
Productive Plastics
Office: (856) 778-4300 Ext. 202
E-Mail:kdavidson@productivecompanies.com


Productive Plastics Welcomes Norman Vaughn as Chief Operating Officer

I am pleased to announce the addition of Norman Vaughn as Chief Operating Officer (COO) to the Productive Plastics team.

For decades Norman has been helping dozens of manufacturing and service companies improve quality, productivity, and operational excellence in a wide variety of industries. Norman served as the Senior Director of Quality at CARDONE Industries in the Automotive Aftermarket, and most recently as Executive Director of DoV Operational Excellence Solutions.

After completing engineering courses at Temple University, Penn State Great Valley, and the University of Wisconsin, Norman received his BA in Organizational Management from Eastern University and has been recognized by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) as a Certified Quality Engineer and Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence.

Norman will be working closely with myself and the rest of the Productive Plastics team to bring you the highest level of service and quality thermoforming manufacturing in the industry.

Regards,

Evan Gilham

President | Productive Plastics


Norman Vaughn

VP of Quality & Compliance
Productive Plastics
Office: (856) 778-4300 Ext. 207 E-Mail:nvaughn@productivecompanies.com


The next generation of family leadership and ownership begins at Productive Plastics

Evan Gilham Named President of Productive Plastics

Productive Plastics has embarked on a transition of leadership to the 3rd generation of Gilham family ownership as Evan Gilham assumed his new role as President in September of this year.

Hal Gilham, former President and now CEO, announced this evolution and continued legacy of ownership at the SPE Thermoforming Conference in September after accepting the Thermoformer of the Year award for 2021 by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Thermoforming Division.

This marks the beginning of an incremental and smooth transfer of leadership and ownership of the company over the next 12-18 months. Evan Gilham comments, “During this transition, we are focused on maintaining trusted partnerships with our customers.” Evan adds, “We are committed to a future of continued innovation and expanded manufacturing services.”

The team at Productive Plastics hopes you will join us in congratulating Evan on his new role and wishing Hal good luck in his future endeavors.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Left to right – Evan Gilham (President) and Hal Gilham (CEO)

[Join our Free Technical Webinar] Introduction to TPO and its Advantages

Please join a complimentary webinar on OCT 27th @ 11am hosted by SIMONA PMC and Productive Plastics on the technical and cost advantages of TPO over metal and fiberglass for your applications. Explore the wide range of TPO grades available for performance or aesthetics, comparisons, case studies, details on designing for plastic thermoforming, and more!

What to Expect in this Webinar:

  • Introduction to TPO
  • Overview of the different grades of TPO, where each is used and why
  • Guidance for converting to TPO from fiberglass, gelcoat or metal
  • Advantages of using TPO in high heat applications
  • Application case studies
  • Cost comparisons
  • Material performance data 
  • Plastic thermoforming design and technical considerations
  • Moderated Q&A session
  • Complimentary Plastic Thermoforming Design Guide & Metal to Plastic Thermoforming Comparison and Conversion Guide digital downloads

Productive Plastics Exhibiting at Design-2-Part Uncasville CT June 23 & 24

Productive Plastics is excited to be exhibiting again at Design-2-Part this year. If you or any of your team will be attending the Design-2-Part show in Uncasville CT on June 23 & 24, please stop by our booths (314 & 316). Talk plastic thermoforming with our experts and get hands on with a selection of our thermoformed parts and multi-part assembly samples from solutions provided to medical device, kiosk, material handling, and other industries. Our team will be at your disposal to discuss how Productive Plastics and plastic thermoforming can add to the success of your next project.

Visit us at Booths 314 & 316

  • Advantages of heavy gauge plastic thermoforming
  • Thermoplastic material options and performance
  • Design and tooling capabilities
  • Conversions from metal, fiberglass, or injection molding processes
  • Industry applications and standards compliance
  • Assembly and surface finishing value added operations

Use your mouse to rotate and interact with feature callouts on the plastic thermoformed kiosk fascia below

Terminology Note

Productive Plastics and the plastics industry typically use the terms "vacuum forming" and "vacuum thermoforming" interchangeably. Misspellings include "vacuumforming" and "vacuumthermoforming".

Looking for more technical information?

Download the Thermoforming Design Guide, Process Comparisons, Conversion Guides, and other useful thermoforming information from our technical resource library.

Contact Us

Ready to explore how Productive Plastics can add to the success of your project?