Machining Technologies for Medical Laboratory Equipment Parts --CNC and Injection Molding

Medical laboratory equipment parts include various high-precision and durable components that play an indispensable role in the daily operations of medical laboratories. These parts need to have excellent corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and stability to ensure the accuracy of experiments and the long-term use of the equipment. Such components are made from high-end industrial materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloys, or chemical-resistant engineering plastics, and undergo meticulous processing and surface treatment to meet stringent hygiene standards and quality requirements.

This article will guide you through the processing methods for medical laboratory equipment parts --CNC machining and injection molding.

Common Medical Laboratory Equipment Parts:

We list some common laboratory equipment to identify the parts they contain: centrifuges, microscopes, high-performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC), gas chromatographs (GC), automated analyzers, PCR machines, incubators, ultrasonic cleaners, refrigerators, frozen centrifuges, ultra-low temperature freezers, pipettes, automatic titrators, shakers, spectrometers, rotary evaporators, microplate readers, liquid handling systems, balances, laboratory bottle washers.

In medical laboratory equipment, parts involving CNC and injection molding include: microscope stands and eyepiece components, centrifuge rotors and rotor components, HPLC housings and pipeline connectors, gas chromatograph sample ports and control panels, automated analyzer operation panels and sample trays, PCR machine housings and racks, incubator internal structures and door handles, ultrasonic cleaner cleaning tanks and control panels, frozen centrifuge rotors and internal parts, ultra-low temperature freezer door seals and internal structures, pipette handles and tips, automatic titrator burettes and control panels, rotary evaporator condensers and receiving flasks.

Differences Between CNC and Injection Molding:

CNC machining and injection molding are two commonly used medical equipment manufacturing technologies, with significant differences in process, application, and material handling. Here is a comparison:

- Process:

  - CNC Machining: Uses computer-controlled machine tools to precisely machine materials through cutting, milling, drilling, etc. It can process metals, plastics, and other materials.

  - Injection Molding: Involves injecting molten plastic into molds, where it cools and solidifies to obtain the desired shape of the part, mainly used for plastic materials.

- Applicable Materials:

  - CNC Machining: Suitable for metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel), plastics (e.g., PVC, nylon), and has a broad range of applications.

  - Injection Molding: Mainly used for plastics (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS) and also some composite materials.

- Processing Precision:

  - CNC Machining: Achieves high precision and is suitable for parts requiring strict dimensional tolerances.

  - Injection Molding: Precision is relatively high but typically depends on the precision of the mold and control of the molding process.

- Production Efficiency:

  - CNC Machining: Suitable for small-batch production and complex geometric shapes, with relatively slower production speed.

  - Injection Molding: Suitable for large-batch production, with the ability to produce many identical parts in one mold cycle, resulting in high production efficiency.

- Cost:

  - CNC Machining: Suitable for low to medium volume production, with higher initial investment (e.g., equipment and tools) but lower cost per part.

  - Injection Molding: Higher initial investment for molds but suitable for large-batch production, with lower per-unit cost, more cost-effective in the long run.

- Surface Treatment:

  - CNC Machining: The processed surface may require additional polishing or surface treatment.

  - Injection Molding: Typically has a smooth surface that can be used directly but may require post-processing adjustments.

- Flexibility:

  - CNC Machining: Capable of machining complex shapes and custom designs, with high flexibility.

  - Injection Molding: Complex mold design and manufacturing processes, not suitable for frequent design changes.

Summary

Lorimachining specializes in precision component manufacturing for medical equipment, providing a one-stop service from part processing to rapid assembly and validation. We have the capability to handle parts with special shapes and strict tolerances, supporting small-batch, multi-variety orders, adhering to ISO13485 medical device quality management system, and supporting non-standard complex parts.