R&D/Leverage adds LSR to moldmaking mix

R&D/Leverage (Lee’s Summit, MO) recently added mold manufacturing for liquid silicone rubber to its capabilities in molds for medical applications. The company's enhanced manufacturing capabilities are being expanded in anticipation of further industry acceleration, according to David Wescoat, the company’s vice president of engineering.

“Our medical mold manufacturing and silicone capabilities represent a significant investment in time and resources,” said Wescoat. “”Here is an on-campus cross-functional mold manufacturing team structured to help customers—all with the combined strength and experience that supports our ongoing industrial design and consumer and retail audits with Leverage.

According to Wescoat, the company’s ongoing investment includes the addition of technical and engineering staff, new lean initiatives, and quality-control protocols, and world-class analysis and process development techniques.

“Medical molds, such as those used in high-volume disposable products, are complex, high-cavitation items that require ultra-precise tolerances and uncompromising quality,” said Wescoat. “R&D/Leverage offers an unsurpassed suite of services that provide world-class mold manufacturing for this demanding industry. Also, when required, we have the capability to assist our customers with processing and molding for short-run capacity issues that arise from time to time.

"R&D/Leverage’s mold manufacturing assets includes a diverse group of toolmakers, mold designers, and project- and mechanical engineers all with access to our validation molding labs, cleanrooms, and analysis services that mathematically model thermal characteristics, mold deformation and stress, mold-flow and more, according to Wescoat. “We are truly a full service integrated solutions provider,” he added. —Clare Goldsberry