Page 57 - Plastics News Issue - January 2025
P. 57
IN THE NEWS
signs or tooling modifications later in the pro- ity to integrate micro-moulded parts into larger
cess. assemblies is a key consideration. Accumold’s
expertise in micro assembly minimises handling
The importance of micro tooling cannot be and ensures that tolerances are maintained
overstated. Tooling is the foundation of micro- throughout the process. This end-to-end capa-
moulding, and achieving micron-level tolerances bility not only streamlines production but also
requires a level of expertise that only a select reduces the risk of errors or damage to delicate
few possess. Accumold has invested heavily in components.
its in-house micro tooling capabilities, with state-
of-the-art equipment and a team of experienced Meeting the challenge of scalability
toolmakers who routinely deliver tools capable
of producing the most complex and precise One of the most significant challenges in mi-
components. cromoulding is scaling production to meet the
needs of high-volume applications. While many
In addition to tooling and moulding, Accumold companies can produce small quantities of pre-
has embraced emerging technologies like micro cision parts, scaling to millions or even billions
additive manufacturing (micro AM). This technol- of units without compromising quality is a com-
ogy complements traditional micromoulding by pletely different challenge. This is where Accu-
enabling the production of complex geometries mold’s infrastructure and operational expertise
that are difficult or impossible to achieve with come into play.
conventional methods. Furthermore, micro AM
can be used to create direct rapid soft tooling Accumold’s manufacturing facility is designed
(DRST), which significantly reduces lead times to handle large-scale production, with dedicat-
and costs for prototype and small-volume pro- ed cells for high-volume moulding and assem-
duction runs with certain thermoplastcis. By of- bly. The company’s investment in automation
fering both traditional and additive manufactur- and advanced process controls ensures that it
ing capabilities, Accumold provides customers can deliver consistent quality across large pro-
with a level of flexibility that is rare in the industry. duction runs. For customers in industries like
telecommunications or medical devices, where
Validation and quality assurance are equally demand for micro components can extend over
critical in micromoulding, as even the smallest years, Accumold’s ability to scale production is a
deviations from design intent can render a part critical advantage.
unusable. Accumold employs advanced metrol-
ogy techniques to measure and verify every In addition to physical capacity, scalability also
component, both during production and as part requires financial stability. Customers need to
of final inspection. This ensures that parts meet know that their supplier has the resources to
the stringent requirements of industries where sustain production through economic downturns
failure is not an option, such as medical devices or other disruptions. Accumold’s decades of ex-
or high-performance electronics. perience and proven track record provide reas-
surance that the company can meet long-term
Lastly, Accumold’s capabilities extend to auto- commitments. Its financial robustness, coupled
mated assembly. For many customers, the abil- with its operational scale, positions Accumold as
a trusted partner for high-volume applications.
January 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 57
