MEDICAL | INNOVATION
of a multi-cavity tool shortens the overall pack and hold time, keeping the overall cycle time the same, says Brady. At K2022, Netstal demonstrated production of
pipette tips in 64 cavities on an all-electric Elion 1200. The system solution included a precision mould from Otto Männer and a high-speed handling system from Micro Automation. The processed material was an electrically conductive compound from Premix, which was specially developed to produce pipette tips for in-vitro diagnostics.
Material moves
Among developments in medical materials, SABIC has expanded its portfolio of LNP CRX polycarbon- ate copolymer resins with two grades that over- come the drawbacks of incumbent PC resins and co-polyester resins used in medical or healthcare applications when exposed to disinfectants or aggressive chemicals. Its new LNP Elcres CRX1314TW copolymer, along with its biomass-balanced equivalent LNP Elcrin CRX1314BTW copolymer, offer a combina- tion of robust chemical and impact resistance, thin-wall transparency, dimensional stability and processability. The distinct combination of properties offered with the two materials includes transparency equivalent to that of PC resins at thin-wall geom- etries of 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm, and translucency at higher thicknesses. They also deliver high impact resistance across a wide temperature range (down to -40°C), excellent dimensional stability and good processability. Both grades meet the UL94 HB standard for horizontal burning. The grades feature exceptional resistance to harsh disinfecting chemicals, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, alcohols and peroxides, which can lead to the environmental stress cracking of medical device displays and covers. LNP Elcres
Left: SABIC has introduced new grades in its LNP CRX PC copolymer resins for the healthcare and consumer products industry
Elcrin CRX1314BTW, which offers up to a 42% reduction in carbon footprint according to a life cycle assessment (LCA), and LNP Elcres CRX- 1314TW both avoid the tradeoffs associated with incumbent materials. This includes amorphous PC resins which
provide excellent clarity and dimensional stability for tight part tolerancing but deliver insufficient chemical resistance to harsh disinfectants. Similarly, semi-crystalline materials, while offering higher inherent chemical resistance, exhibit significant shrinkage and part warpage that can negatively affect part tolerances. Due to high moisture absorption, such materials may be difficult to process, and can generate excessive scrap result- ing from surface defects. Amorphous co-polyesters may also be incompatible with harsh disinfectants and may exhibit processing tradeoffs that may lead to potential production losses. Initial target applications include clear covers, screens, and display lenses. SABIC says the new
IMAGE: SABIC
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