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    1. Injection Molding

    Makuta says clients ask micromolders to push the boundaries of what is possible

    Sept. 29, 2020
    Bruce Geiselman
    Makuta Inc.
    Micromolder Makuta uses all-electric Sumitomo machines in the 15- to 75-ton range, many with the SL (Spiral Logic) screw assembly, which reduces shear heat, improves molding stability, prevents burn spots and stagnation of the melt in the barrel, and allows exceptionally fast color and/or resin changeover.
    Micromolder Makuta uses all-electric Sumitomo machines in the 15- to 75-ton range, many with the SL (Spiral Logic) screw assembly, which reduces shear heat, improves molding stability, prevents burn spots and stagnation of the melt in the barrel, and allows exceptionally fast color and/or resin changeover.

    By Bruce Geiselman 

    Makuta Inc.
    Makuta specializes in manufacturing micro parts, like the components on this penny. The smallest part the company has produced was a polyoxymethylene bobbin used in miniature electrical devices. It weighed 0.0003 gram and measured 1.11mm by 0.96mm by 0.64mm.
    Makuta specializes in manufacturing micro parts, like the components on this penny. The smallest part the company has produced was a polyoxymethylene bobbin used in miniature electrical devices. It weighed 0.0003 gram and measured 1.11mm by 0.96mm by 0.64mm.
    The greatest challenges facing micromolders are producing parts with precision and meeting the demands of clients that continue pushing the envelope in terms of what’s possible, Makuta President Stu Kaplan said.

    “In terms of controlling precision, the requirements for both the mold and the processing parameters are magnified tremendously compared with traditional injection molding,” Kaplan said. “A minuscule change in material viscosity, for example, that might be irrelevant when molding a standard part could have serious implications in a micromolded part. 

    “We also frequently have customers bring us projects that push the envelope on size, precision, new engineering resins, etc. You have to enjoy challenges to be a micromolder, and we do.” 

    The smallest part Makuta has produced was an ultra-small polyoxymethylene bobbin used in miniature electrical devices. It weighed 0.0003 gram and measured 1.11mm by 0.96mm by 0.64mm.

    Related: Micromolders find their fit

    Makuta specializes in micro injection molding and micromold tooling, producing millions of micro- to small-sized parts each month for customers in the medical, pharmaceutical, microfluidics, electronics, office automation and automotive industries. 

    “Our micro injection molding capabilities include clean-room[Class 8], high-temperature, thin-wall, two-shot and overmolding, and the
    Makuta Inc.
    Stu Kaplan
    Stu Kaplan
    high-precision plastic injection molds we provide are designed and custom-built to hold tolerances as small as plus or minus 5 microns,” Kaplan said. “Additionally, in 2019, we became a certified production partner of Carbon Inc., providing high-performance prototyping and limited production runs for small and complex parts using Carbon DLS (Digital Light Synthesis) technology.”

    He identified several areas of growth for micromolding technology. 

    “Medical and wearables have been very big for us, and we are also experiencing significant growth in two-shot micromolding, plus components for diagnostic devices including those that require optical clarity,” Kaplan said. 

    To deliver precision micromolded parts, Makuta uses all-electric Sumitomo machines in the 15- to 75-ton range, many with the SL (Spiral Logic) screw assembly, which reduces shear heat, improves molding stability, prevents burn spots and stagnation of the melt in the barrel, and allows exceptionally fast color and/or resin change-out, according to Sumitomo. Makuta’s two-shot machines also are electric Sumitomo machines. 

    Micromolding requires specialized primary and auxiliary equipment, Kaplan said.  

    “In order to develop and monitor a scientific process, molders need the proper tools,” he said. “This requires scales, pyrometers, calipers, microscopes and others. We also need our molding machines to monitor a wide range of parameters within extremely tight tolerances to ensure shot-to-shot consistency. If any of those
    Makuta Inc.
    Makuta made this 0.775mm gear, which is used in cataract surgery.
    Makuta made this 0.775mm gear, which is used in cataract surgery.
    parameters are not met, the parts are automatically rejected.”

    Micromolding technicians require specialized skills and training. The process occupies a distinct niche within injection molding. 

    “Our technicians are trained in-house using methods that have been developed by us over the last 20 years,” Kaplan said. “Micromolding requires a different line of thinking, so we prefer that our technicians have less experience in other molding facilities. We train them in process development and how to implement our proprietary process building techniques.” 

    Contact:  

    Makuta Inc., Shelbyville, Ind., 317-642-0001, https://makuta.com/  

    About the Author

    Bruce Geiselman | Senior Staff Reporter

    Senior Staff Reporter Bruce Geiselman covers extrusion, blow molding, additive manufacturing, automation and end markets including automotive and packaging. He also writes features, including In Other Words and Problem Solved, for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He has extensive experience in daily and magazine journalism.

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