The 3D-printed molds for the first and second iterations cost less than €2,000 combined. And the technology enabled a two-day design cycle, which is more than 90% faster than conventional metal tooling.

Certified to ISO 13485, Denmark-based SPT Vilecon describes itself as a fully integrated provider of development and manufacturing services to the medical device industry. It offers in-house tool making and injection molding along with other manufacturing services to companies in northern Europe.

Medical device manufacturers are tasked with developing elaborate test protocols to ensure that the product in development is safe and meets essential requirements. If these tests are conducted late in the development process, the more onerous and risky they become. SPT Vilecon often works with silicone, a material that is extensively used in medical applications because of its chemical resistance, mechanical performance, and biocompatibility. However, silicone parts are notoriously difficult to prototype and test, since most grades need to be injection molded to achieve their full performance potential, said the company. FIM enabled SPT Vilecon to offer an alternative to a customer developing an intravenous (IV) silicone product — the use of 3D-printed tooling to perform early design and material verification at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods.

Robust and valid prototyping and verification are key to minimizing cost, time, and risk factors in developing medical devices, said SPI Vilecon. FIM is a new toolbox for medical device companies seeking to accelerate their innovation and obtain early verification of part performance and moldability, added the company.

SPT implemented Nexa3D’s Freeform Injection Molding (FIM) technology to help customers shorten time-to-market on complex medical devices in demanding medical-grade materials and to expand on the range of materials that can be quickly and reliably used in prototyping and early device test manufacturing.

Editor in chief of PlasticsToday since 2015, Norbert Sparrow has more than 30 years of editorial experience in business-to-business media. He studied journalism at the Centre Universitaire d'Etudes du Journalisme in Strasbourg, France, where he earned a master's degree.

The global High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) market exhibited divergent trends, with prices in the USA experiencing a decline while in Asia, the HDPE market remained consistent, except for China, which faced a bearish trend. A significant factor contributing to the easing of prices was the declining cost of crude oil, which had a broad impact on the global market. Despite these price adjustments, demand from key downstream sectors such as construction, packaging, and automotive remained moderately low by the end of the month. Supply constraints and seasonal factors further influenced regional market dynamics. Consequently, the price of HDPE Injection Molding grade FOB Texas in the USA dropped by 2%, and Chinese HDPE Injection Molding EXW Jiangsu also decreased by 2%, while other Asian countries and Europe maintained price consistency during the week ending on July 26, 2024. The HDPE market in the USA experienced depreciation, continuing the trend from the previous week as trading activities eased towards the end of the month. Export business softened due to competitive offers from China, prompting North American producers to consider agile export pricing strategies to remain competitive in incremental sales to avoid excessive inventory buildup. Major energy markets also saw a downturn, with Crude Oil recording its third consecutive weekly decline amid ongoing demand concerns from China. Despite an increase in feedstock Ethylene prices, HDPE prices remained low due to sufficient supply and diminished demand.  Further, the potential for a series of storms or even a single significant storm could disrupt petrochemical and plastics production, creating supply challenges that might impact HDPE prices in the near term within the region.  Meanwhile, the Asian HDPE market generally maintained stability, with the notable exception of China, which experienced a decline amid a bearish sentiment driven by falling international crude oil prices. This decline in oil prices, largely due to reduced Chinese demand, exerted downward pressure on HDPE costs, aligning with the return of some polyethylene (PE) maintenance units that are anticipated to increase supply. Despite this, the market remains deeply concerned about future demand prospects, even as crude oil prices continue to fall steadily, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East showing no signs of escalation. In China, although HDPE supplies have resumed with the restart of production facilities, the overall market sentiment remains subdued. Traders are suggesting discounts to stimulate trade, but these measures are not yet seen as sufficient to boost demand significantly. Additionally, the impact of Typhoon Gaemi on the Fujian province in southern China has introduced further uncertainty, as heavy rains and strong downpours threaten to disrupt the supply chain, exacerbating existing challenges in the market including HDPE. According to ChemAnalyst, HDPE prices in the Asian market may be affected by ongoing discussions for August shipment cargoes while buyers are exercising caution as they seek greater clarity regarding settlement prices in the coming weeks. In the US market, moderate demand is anticipated, with prices potentially influenced by freight rates amid peak season demand.  Additionally, the interplay between global supply chain conditions and regional economic factors will likely play a critical role in shaping HDPE market trends in the near term.

The HDPE market in the USA experienced depreciation, continuing the trend from the previous week as trading activities eased towards the end of the month. Export business softened due to competitive offers from China, prompting North American producers to consider agile export pricing strategies to remain competitive in incremental sales to avoid excessive inventory buildup. Major energy markets also saw a downturn, with Crude Oil recording its third consecutive weekly decline amid ongoing demand concerns from China. Despite an increase in feedstock Ethylene prices, HDPE prices remained low due to sufficient supply and diminished demand.  Further, the potential for a series of storms or even a single significant storm could disrupt petrochemical and plastics production, creating supply challenges that might impact HDPE prices in the near term within the region.

Meanwhile, the Asian HDPE market generally maintained stability, with the notable exception of China, which experienced a decline amid a bearish sentiment driven by falling international crude oil prices. This decline in oil prices, largely due to reduced Chinese demand, exerted downward pressure on HDPE costs, aligning with the return of some polyethylene (PE) maintenance units that are anticipated to increase supply. Despite this, the market remains deeply concerned about future demand prospects, even as crude oil prices continue to fall steadily, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East showing no signs of escalation. In China, although HDPE supplies have resumed with the restart of production facilities, the overall market sentiment remains subdued. Traders are suggesting discounts to stimulate trade, but these measures are not yet seen as sufficient to boost demand significantly. Additionally, the impact of Typhoon Gaemi on the Fujian province in southern China has introduced further uncertainty, as heavy rains and strong downpours threaten to disrupt the supply chain, exacerbating existing challenges in the market including HDPE.

Injection-molded silicone parts were produced within two days, allowing early verification of key design and performance aspects.

A supplier of development and manufacturing services to medical device OEMs used Freeform Injection Molding from Nexa3D to accelerate time-to-market and slash prototyping costs for a complex silicone-based IV device. SPT Vilecon explained the process in a recent press release.

The global High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) market exhibited divergent trends, with prices in the USA experiencing a decline while in Asia, the HDPE market remained consistent, except for China, which faced a bearish trend. A significant factor contributing to the easing of prices was the declining cost of crude oil, which had a broad impact on the global market. Despite these price adjustments, demand from key downstream sectors such as construction, packaging, and automotive remained moderately low by the end of the month. Supply constraints and seasonal factors further influenced regional market dynamics. Consequently, the price of HDPE Injection Molding grade FOB Texas in the USA dropped by 2%, and Chinese HDPE Injection Molding EXW Jiangsu also decreased by 2%, while other Asian countries and Europe maintained price consistency during the week ending on July 26, 2024.

The patented FIM process uses high-speed Nexa3D printers and xMOLD resin to print injection molding tools that are compatible with thousands of off-the-shelf injection molding materials, including reinforced high-performance feedstocks. The process reduces design, iteration, and validation cycles using end-product materials to a matter of hours rather than weeks.

SPT Vilecon said it has begun expanding the range of injection mold prototyping with silicone, metal, and ceramic materials to provide medical device manufacturers with an even wider selection of product development and verification services.

Freeform Injection Molding technology from Nexa3D compresses design, iteration, and validation cycle times into a matter of hours rather than weeks.

According to ChemAnalyst, HDPE prices in the Asian market may be affected by ongoing discussions for August shipment cargoes while buyers are exercising caution as they seek greater clarity regarding settlement prices in the coming weeks. In the US market, moderate demand is anticipated, with prices potentially influenced by freight rates amid peak season demand.  Additionally, the interplay between global supply chain conditions and regional economic factors will likely play a critical role in shaping HDPE market trends in the near term.

Design input collected from the first tests was integrated in a second iteration that took only a couple of hours to complete. By contrast, conventional metal tooling would have taken more than six weeks to design and procure, and the adjustments needed for the second iteration would have taken an in-house tool-shop a week to complete.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Market Analysis: Plant Capacity, Production, Process, Technology, Operating Efficiency, Demand & Supply, End-Use, Grade, Foreign Trade, Sales Channel, Regional Demand, Company Share, Manufacturing Process, 2015-2035

Based on input collected from the first two iterations, the design of the silicone part was approved and manufacturing of a metal tool was initiated with full confidence of part moldability and performance. The in-house tool shop built the final metal tooling in four weeks without iterations.