Stamped Plastic Washers for the Medical Industry

The medical industry often uses durable, non-metallic washers to seal and distribute loads for many types of equipment. Washers feature a flat disc shape with a

The medical industry often uses durable, non-metallic washers to seal and distribute loads for many types of equipment. Washers feature a flat disc shape with a hole in the center, enabling them to distribute pressure for bolts, screws, and other fasteners while padding, locking, and reducing vibration. Non-metallic hard plastic washers are often preferred over metallic washers for medical applications because of their unique properties.

Specific applications for washers in the medical industry are:

New Process Fibre is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer specializing in non-metallic stamping of flat and specialty washers. We bring decades of experience, advanced equipment, and excellent customer service to every order.

Standard and custom washer stampings are available. We work with many materials that are used in medical applications, including but not limited to:

• Nylon (6 and 6/6) – colors available and can be color matched!
• Polypropylene – colors available and can be color matched!
• PEEK^®
• Teflon^™ PTFE
• Mylar^®

We maintain over 10,000 washer dies for rapid turnaround, often two weeks or less. Dimensions for standard washers range from 0.093 in. to 12.000 in. outer diameter and 0.005 in. to 0.187 in. thick. We can accommodate order sizes from single units to millions, and can hold tight tolerances consistently. In-house tool and die manufacturing for custom stampings is also available. We work with both English and metric units of measure.

Non-Metallic Washers in the Medical Industry

Medical equipment and devices must be kept sterilized, so hydrolysis-proof components use heat-resistant plastics. Examples of these components include nylon, Delrin, Teflon, and polyethylene washers. Nylon is one type of heat-resistant plastic that medical manufacturers commonly use to produce medical instruments.

Respirator components, face shields, and medical tables rely on nylon washers because they are nonflammable and resistant to corrosion, wear, and mold. By using the right types of washers, medical products benefit from effective sterilization and longer service life, creating a safer environment and saving medical facilities money on maintenance.

The medical industry uses nylon plastic washers for these reasons:

• Lightweight construction. Nylon is lighter than metal, so nylon washers are ideal for medical equipment where weight is a critical factor.
• Thermal stability. Exceptional insulating properties make nylon washers suitable for applications involving temperature fluctuations or electricity.
• High tensile strength. Nylon washers can withstand high pressure levels and long periods of use.
• Corrosion resistance. Superior resistance to corrosion keeps components sterile and safe to use in medical environments.
• Temperature resistance. Nylon’s temperature-resistant properties protect equipment from potential damage done by extremely high or low temperatures.
• Reduced noise levels during operation. If noise is a concern, nylon washers are an excellent solution because they produce far less noise compared to their metal counterparts.
• Low surface friction and longer service life. Nylon washers help maximize the longevity of medical devices and equipment, reducing costs for maintaining and replacing machinery.

Fabrication Capabilities

Our “Everything Under One Roof” approach streamlines the manufacturing process, with every aspect of design and manufacturing provided in-house by our team of experts.

Non-Metallic Stamping Services

We have the equipment and experience to meet medical industry requirements, including specialized materials and tight tolerances. Our equipment and capabilities include:

• Over 75 punch presses, including 14 high-speed punch presses that run up to 400 strokes per minute.
• Compound, custom, and progressive stamping options for part sizes ranging from .093 in. outside diameter to 24 in. square.
• Color options including red, green, blue, yellow, black, orange, and white, with custom matching available (note that minimum quantities may apply).

Tool and Die Making

We manufacture and maintain tooling and dies in our 55,000 sq. ft. facility, which helps keep production costs manageable. Capabilities and details include:

• Compound and progressive dies as well as multi-cavity tools
• Precision tooling accommodates material thicknesses of 0.005 in. to 0.250 in., and part sizes up to 24 sq. in.
• To optimize efficiency and value, we offer “Life of Program” tooling, with a fee that covers in-house tool maintenance for the life of your stamping program.
• We accept your designs in CAD or PDF formats to streamline project setup.

Slitting and Shearing

Slitting and shearing services are available for materials from 0.005 in. to 0.250 in. thick and 0.500 in. (slit) to 38 in. (untrimmed) wide. Options include:

Extrusion and Slitting

The following can be extruded and are available in custom colors:

We can extrude materials 0.005 in. to 0.250 in. thick and 0.500 in. (slit) to 38 in. (untrimmed) wide. A minimum order of 300 lbs. is required.

The thickness tolerances are:

• 0.010 in. to 0.046 in. : ±0.002 in.
• 0.047 in. to 0.093 in. : ±0.003 in.
• 0.094 in. to 0.125 in. : ±0.005 in.
• 0.126 in. to 0.250 in. : ±0.007 in. (for HDPE and Polypro only)

Many core diameter options are available, from 3” to 16.”

Quality Assurance

Since 1927, New Process Fibre has upheld a legacy of quality, adaptation, excellence, and responsibility in manufacturing and business operations. From our initial ISO 9001 certification in 2002, we have ensured product quality and consistency with our documented quality management system.

First article inspection (FAI) is an important part of our quality assurance process, and we are compliant with both RoHS and REACH standards. We also take efforts to ensure our materials are conflict mineral-free.

Need Plastic Washers for Medical Devices? Contact New Process Fibre and get Your Project Started Today

Plastic washers are crucial components for medical devices. Their durable, noncorrosive construction ensures that the equipment performs as it should for as long as possible. It’s important to obtain the correct washers for your specific application. We carry a vast selection of flat washers, plain washers, retaining washers, and more, for nearly any medical application.

At New Process Fibre, we’re dedicated to producing reliable non-metallic parts for a variety of industries. By manufacturing all our products in-house, we make sure that every component meets the highest standards and delivers consistent quality for every customer. For more information about our plastic washers for screws or to get started on your own non-metallic washer solution, contact us today.