Taking the stress out of package protection Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • An analysis of coupled predictive simulations of thermoforming processes and drop-impact loading in package design is discussed. Thermoformed packaging is widely used today for the packaging of sterile medical devices and products. The benefits of thermoformed packaging are many. It offers easy control of shape and formability at an affordable cost, design flexibility for handling shock or impact, and an ability to maintain a sterile barrier. Thermoplastic resin systems such as polyethylene terephthalate-glycol (PETG), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) are among the polymers employed for thermoformed medical packaging applications. The designer's challenge of simultaneously optimizing a thermoformed package for both structural design and material usage can be completed without having to wait until production-quality packages are available for testing. Successful results in the context of thermoforming process modeling is highly dependent on obtaining accurate data from the thermoforming manufacturer on tooling motions and process conditions.

published proceedings

  • Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry

author list (cited authors)

  • Haridas, B., & Haynes, C. A

complete list of authors

  • Haridas, B||Haynes, CA

publication date

  • December 2003