Proto Labs Presents LSR Moulding Service at Med-Tech Innovation 2014

Proto Labs will present its new LSR (liquid silicone rubber) injection moulding service at Med-Tech Innovation 2014 (Ricoh Arena, Coventry, 2-3 April). LSR is an established engineering material that is particularly suitable for applications in the medical sector – it can withstand sterilisation and is biocompatible so works well for products requiring skin contact. With this new offering, Proto Labs brings a practical and cost effective way to get real LSR parts, really fast. Quantities from just 25 to more than 5,000 parts can be delivered in no more than three weeks and sometimes, depending on part complexity and of course when you need them, even shorter.

Available from the company’s market-leading Protomold service, obtaining LSR parts could not be easier. Through enhanced software capability carried out by our in-house software development team, the same super-compute clusters that power Protomold’s thermoplastic quoting processes, power their rubber moulding quoting processes. Simply upload a 3D CAD model using Protomold’s secure website to receive an interactive quote within one business day, accompanied by a geometrical analysis of the part and design-for-manufacture recommendations.

Although LSR moulding has similarities with conventional injection moulding techniques, it also has significant differences. For instance, unlike the thermoplastic material that is melted prior to injection moulding, LSR is a thermosetting, two-component mixture which is cooled before being injected into a heated mould and vulcanised to produce the final moulded part. After curing using a platinum catalyst, the moulded condition is permanent – it cannot be melted again as you could a thermoplastic part.

The result is that LSR is a material with excellent resistance to chemicals and electrical conductivity. In addition, parts made from LSR retain their physical properties when subjected to extreme temperatures making it a popular choice in many demanding applications.

Visitors to Stand 36 at Med-Tech Innovation 2014 will have the opportunity to see a demonstration of the Proto Labs online quoting systems, discuss ideas and project requirements with members of the Proto Labs team, discovering how to reduce the time and cost of product development – and get product to market faster.

In the meantime, to learn more about Proto Labs’ new LSR capabilities, including additional design guidelines on draft, finishes and more, visit the Protomold LSR microsite at:

http://www.protomold.co.uk/liquid-silicone-rubber