News and opinions about the latest materials used in product design
At Gm Design Development, we have recently been testing some amazing electrically conductive fabric for use in a healthcare application. The material shown feels just like any piece of standard clothing, but it conducts reliably. There are many types available, from silky feel material to conductive foam. As a keen sportsman and rugby player, I […]
As a company who designs many plastic products, we are acutely aware of the environmental impact these have on our planet. We have always tried to minimise this through good design so products can be easily recycled. The issue around recycling coffee cups has been highlighted a lot in the mainstream media recently. One company […]
Hygiene and cross contamination are a growing concern in all types of environments, from hospitals, through to work environments and even the domestic home. Establishing ways to reduce the likelihood of infections from E.Coli, MRSA and black mould is becoming easier in the injection moulding process thanks largely to many of the silver-based antimicrobial additives. […]
At Gm Design Development, we work with businesses across Hampshire to design and engineer their new products. We use 3D CAD extensively, using packages such as PTC Creo to develop their technically challenging products for manufacture. Our design studio is only a 10-minute drive up the A3 from Junction 10 inside the M25. easily accessed […]
Topas has introduced two new grades of its Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) Topas 5013L-10 for the optical, diagnostic and microfluidic markets. They offer internal mould release which enables easy processing. The hear resistance (95 degrees C) and its purity make it ideal for DNA analysis and PCR. At Gm Design Development, we have experience designing […]
There are a number of TPEs that have passed cytotoxicity tests (ISO 10993-5) and biocompatibility tests (USP Class VI). The materials are latex free, reducing the risk of allergic reactions. They are available in a range of shore hardness’s from shore A to 65 shore D. Transparent grades are available, as well as grades suitable […]
A new heat-stabilised polypropylene (PP) has been developed to withstand repeated steam and autoclave sterilisation cycles. It is resistant to a some solvents, cleaning agents and disinfectants. It could be used for a range of products including surgical trays and instrument components. It is also tested for biocompatibility according to ISO 10993.
We use Polypropylene extensively in everyday products as it is low cost and has some excellent mechanical properties such as good impact resistance, is flexible, has a low MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate) and you can create living hinges within a moulding. One disadvantage it has always had, is that optically transparent products could not […]
As environmental concerns rise ever higher up the agenda, innovation in packaging is taking place within the packaging industry. Additives can be added which causes polythene to degrade harmlessly upon exposure to sunlight. Biothene causes a catalysed reaction which breaks down the long molecular chains in the material, allowing polythene products to degrade harmlessly in […]
Occurrences of MRSA and other hospital infections are mentioned everyday in the media. Clearly, cleaning plays in big role in reducing the chance of infection, along with good personal hygiene, however material technology is also playing its part. A huge amount of development has taken place in materials with antibacterial properties. The additive is added […]
