Nitrofreeze Cryogenic Solutions
Nitrofreeze Cryogenic Solutions is providing medical molders with a rapid, consistent, and cost-effective alternative to hand trimming molding flash. Nitrofreeze cryogenic deflashing is an automated, computer-controlled batch process that removes flash from tens to thousands of molded parts all at the same time. This patented process will not change part tolerances or surface finish, is more consistent than hand trimming, and is safe for medical plastics and medical silicones.
During Nitrofreeze cryogenic flashing, batches of molded parts are cooled below the polymer’s glass transition temperature (Tg) so that the flash becomes hard, brittle, and easy to remove. The parts are then blasted with a specified cryogenic-grade polycarbonate media that comes in different diameters to meet part-specific challenges. This proven process is especially efficient at removing flash from cross-holes, blind holes, and other geometries that are hard to reach with hand tools.
Medical molders enjoy the fact that Nitrofreeze cryogenic deflashing will not change critical part tolerances or mar surface finishes. The speed and consistency of this automated deflashing process is extremely attractive. Using hand tools, a worker may need up to an hour to deflash just one complex part that’s made of PEEK plastic. Rather, with cryogenic deburring, Nitrofreeze can deflash an entire batch of sophisticated PEEK parts during this same time, and without the part-to-part variations that are common to hand trimming.
When a medical molder needed to deflash silicone distal handles, Nitrofreeze saved the company over six hours of deflashing labor for every 1,000 pieces. The molder had tried buffing and trimming, but these labor-intensive techniques took upwards of 20 seconds per part. With volumes of 3,000 to 4,000 parts per release, the molder chose cryogenic deflashing instead of other alternative technologies. Although flashing stood as tall as 0.036” in some areas, Nitrofreeze achieved a tight flash tolerance of only 0.005”.
“Nitrofreeze provides proven deflashing solutions to medical molders day in and day out,” said Ryan M. Taylor, the company’s assistant general manager. “We’ve successfully removed mold flashing from products that include PEEK implants, polypropylene surgical caddies, and silicone gaskets – among many others. Whether you’re a medical molder or a medical device company, we invite you to contact us for a no-cost deflashing evaluation.”