Create a free Manufacturing.net account to continue

Silicone Extrusion Technology Delivers High-Precision Products

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (SGPPL) HealthCare Markets, a leading supplier of high-performance medical device components, introduces Compass Technology, a new co-development for silicone extrusion.

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (SGPPL) HealthCare Markets, a leading supplier of high-performance medical device components, introduces Compass Technology, a new co-development for silicone extrusion.  Combining expertise in custom material compounding with high precision silicone extrusion and fluid modeling, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is able to design application specific formulations and products for optimized performance.  Best-in-class tolerances in both material properties and product dimensions result in a reduced level of overall system variability.

With Compass Technology, a closed-loop system automatically adjusts the extrusion process to reduce variation from production run to production run, while constantly monitoring in-process manufacturing data.  This in-process data is captured and available as part of a detailed data package to expedite product validation for medical device OEMs.  Extruded tubing manufactured with Compass Technology is ideal for a wide variety of medical applications, including ophthalmic pumps, enteral feeding, and IV therapy.

Utilizing its material science expertise, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics works with its customers to translate critical needs of the application into key material properties which can then be formulated into a custom compound.  These material formulations can be optimized for tear strength, compression set, elongation, modulus, and durometer.  SGPPL can also deliver extruded solutions that meet regulatory needs for purity and low extractables.

“Due to our long history of manufacturing and material engineering with silicone, thermoplastic elastomers and fluoropolymers, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is well suited to meet the needs of the rigorous and complex medical device market,” said Robert D. Schwenker, Business Manager of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics’ HealthCare Markets Business.  “Our new Compass Technology platform represents our continuing commitment to developing customer solutions that enable medical device manufacturers to maintain the highest standards in the most sensitive pump applications.”

As part of Compass Technology, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics is also developing an advanced modeling platform dedicated to pump and fluid handling systems.  This capability will provide unique insight into the effect of key variables on overall system accuracy.  From physical dimensions to dynamic properties of the material, the model can function as a predictor for new designs.

To learn more, visit www.medical.saint-gobain.com.

More