LSR Moldmaker Innovates In Medical Market
California-based M.R. Mold specializes in high-precision liquid silicone molds for medical applications, innovating with new technologies (including additive manufacturing) and female craftspeople.
Located in Brea, California, M.R. Mold & Engineering Corp. (M.R. Mold) has been moldmaking for over 40 years and specializes in high-precision, flashless, liquid silicone molds for the medical industry.
Shop Floor Sightings
The cold runner system functions in a liquid silicone injection mold the same way a hot runner system functions for plastic injection molds. Source (All images) | MMT Staff
One of M.R. Mold’s two female polishers in action.
A variety of medical-grade breathing respirators as well other medical device applications made by molds.
M.R. Mold supplies EDM services, injection molds, mold insulation, mold maintenance and repair services, prototyping and sampling/mold tryout requests. The company also provides milling services as well as manufacturing and molding accessories, including cold runner systems, robots and vacuum seals.
The company has occupied its current building for the past six years — a 23,000-square-foot facility which is home to over 30 highly skilled craftspeople to operate its various technologies and machines. M.R. Mold employs not one but two female polishers.
A trend to note? Medical. Medical. Medical. M.R. Mold has seen an influx of work within this industry. The company’s LSR capabilities attract medical customers as this material offers biocompatibility, the ability to withstand sterilization processes, and durability as well as adaptability which is well suited in the creation of medical devices.
For example, medical-grade breathing respirators have mold designs which naturally tend to iterate, as there are shape, size and design tweaks that are constantly shifting and in need of upgrading.
Fortunately, M.R. Mold has been exploring a newer solution for iteration capabilities in harnessing the power of additive manufacturing. This offers a quick way to design iterations of customers’ product visions to ensure the molds live up to exacting standards.
The company aims to ultimately cut down on lead times as well as cost. To achieve this, M.R. Mold purchased a used 3D Systems metal printer to streamline production time. This also enables it to create stainless steel components for molds. The company can now print mold cores and inserts which have internal or complex geometry that would otherwise be difficult to machine using traditional methods.
Related Content
-
2024 Moldmaking Insights: A Year in Review Part 2
A look back at the top moldmaking trends of 2024, as revealed through MMT's analytics. This review highlights the most popular technical articles, case studies, tips and best practices that captured the industry's attention over the past year.
-
In "Hybrid" FIM Process, 3D Printing Complements Injection Molding
Alpine Advanced Materials used a desktop 3D printer and the freeform injection molding process to reduce prototype tooling production time and cost for its customers.
-
MMT Chats: The Connection Between Additive Manufacturing Education and ROI
This MMT Chat continues the conversation with Action Mold and Machining, as two members of the Additive Manufacturing team dig a little deeper into AM education, AM’s return on investment and the facility and equipment requirements to implement AM properly.
