Liquid injection molding pacifier technology
A pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone substitute used by a baby to suck between feeds to relieve pain by satisfying the need for sucking. Pacifiers are healthier than finger sucking because they clean and kill viruses at high temperatures, especially liquid silicone pacifiers. Liquid silicone is a medical-grade material, BPA-free and latex-free silicone that is strong, comfortable and durable, and dishwasher safe. Liquid silicone rubber is the ideal choice of pacifier material.
According to research and market report - Pacifier Global Opportunity Analysis & Industry Forecast, the global baby pacifier market from 2019 to 2026 will reach US $352.2 million in 2018 and is expected to reach US $522.6 million in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.10% from 2019 to 2026.
The increase in the global infant population is one of the key factors driving the global infant pacifier market.
A good pacifier begins with its liquid injection molding mold, and those familiar with the design elements of injection molded parts should find that the injection molding process for silicone rubber is similar. However, LSR has a very high shrinkage rate and the material is prone to burring during molding. Designers can mitigate these problems by planning and absorbing the right tolerances and incorporating more elements into the mold design to reduce flash.
The following are key points to consider the design parameters of liquid injection molding schemes.
1. Pacifier weight/size
2. Annual demand for pacifiers
3. Wall thickness and rib thickness
4.PL (Parting line)
5. Injection gate
6. The ejection
7. The tolerance
Well-designed pacifiers typically have a linear tolerance of 0.025 inch/inch (0.025 mm/mm).
8. Flash (automatic or manual trim)
You also need to consider flash memory margin.
9. Material
In addition to optimizing the component design, choosing the right materials for the LIM program is also critical.
Perfect, accurate LSR pacifiers start with tools. The mold structure needs CNC milling/edM/milling machine processing combination.
Lead time for liquid silicone injection molds: 35-45 days, depending on the pacifier construction to manufacture high temperature LSR molds to maintain the LSR molding process.
When the LSR pacifier mold is completed, pilot production of the pacifier will be arranged first to verify the accuracy and performance of the mold, including the size and appearance of the pacifier (whether there is flash, bubble, damage).
Pacifier performance Performance tests, such as stretch and bite force tests (to ensure the baby's life during use).
Through pilot production, other potential errors and modifications in the mold can also be found, and the pacifier injection process can be improved if necessary. Improve tooling details and production process to ensure efficiency and quality during regular production. It can not only reduce manufacturing costs, but also help shorten time to market and provide the best products.
