Dip molding has become a popular manufacturing method for products in many industries. This popularity arises from the reliability and affordability of the process. The medical industry, in particular, uses dip molding for a number of medical products. In fact, it is fair to say that health care as we know it would not exist without dip molding.
Dip molding is a process that involves a mold being dipped into a polymer to form a new, molded product. The process starts with a metal mold that is preheated before being dipped into plastisol or another material. The new parts are then cured and removed from the mold.
There are a number of common medical products that are manufactured using this process. Let’s take a look at the items you may have seen or used before that are made with this simple process.
Nasal Cannulas
Nasal cannulas are hollow plastic tubes that inserted through the nose and connected to an oxygen source to provide supplemental oxygen for patients.
Endotracheal Tubes
Dip molded spring reinforced endotracheal tubes are used as airway management devices and to deliver anesthesia to patients during surgery. Their “no crush” design ensures that the patients airway is always open.
Perfusion Cannula
Similar to ET Tubes, wire reinforced dip molded perfusion cannula are used during open heart surgery to provide an effectively connect a patient to a heart/lung machine during these delicate procedures.
Y-Connectors
As the name suggests, Y-connectors are special connectors in a “Y” shape that allow two tubes to be connected to one tube. Dip molded Y-connectors are often used in wound drains.
Catheter Balloons
Catheter balloons are literally life-saving medical components. These balloons are used during medical procedures like angioplasty to expand arteries. They may also be used during stent placement.
Stethoscope Tubing
Dip molding is frequently used to produce comfortable stethoscope tubing that almost every doctor uses to listen to the chest cavities of their patients.
Enema Tips
Dip molded enema tips are used in diagnostic procedures that provide images of the lower gastrointestinal tract.
There are many ways that dip molding allows modern medical procedures to be performed more safely and efficiently. This manufacturing process provides an affordable and reliable solution to producing essential medical products, helping to keep costs down while offering sanitary and safe solutions.
Contact Piper Plastics at 800-966-9919 to learn how we can help with your dip molded product needs.
hi
i researched on stethoscope tubung manufacturing process. i know it’s dip molding but i want to know how is the structure of the mold. because after molding we must emit the plastic from mold.
That part of the process is proprietary.
We need liquid pvc for perfusion cannula
We manufacture perfusion cannula. We do not supply the liquid PVC.
Currently using an extrusion process to build a catheter product we’re developing, and interested in switching to a dip molding process (PVC, polyurethane, or Pebax, ideally). Would be great to discuss if its possible for you to manufacture.