IPFL Brings Unique Capabilities to the World of Acrylic
IPFL, one of Britain's leading firms in the fields of Machining, 3D printing andbespoke plastic parts, is now the only company in the UK to provide polymer Diffusion Bonding services.
Diffusion bonding achieves clear, strong joints without the use of adhesives or solvents. Instead it fuses pre-machined acrylic, COC or Ultem components at a molecular level. This creates seamless, permanent bonds. As well as strength far in advance of traditional additive manufacturing processes, diffusion bonding is ideal for applications needing purity and precision such as fluidic plates, medical manifolds, medical diagnostic devices and light guides.
Diffusion bonding ensures no contamination from adhesives and maintains the full integrity of the bonded parts. It can join intricate internal shapes with complex internal geometries such as plastic medical manifolds and supports. It produces high-quality joints that withstand heat treatment, machining and polishing.
IPFL can carry out diffusion bonding with several materials, including acrylic (commonly used for its good thermal properties, distortion-free light transmission and high machinability). ULTEM is often used in medical devices, being a high-performance thermoplastic with high toughness. Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) is a new material with high purity, moisture barrier and clarity that makes it especially suitable for medical devices and optical applications.
Adam Bloomfield, Additive Manufacturing Manager at IPFL, said: "IPFL is the only manufacturing firm in the United Kingdom that is providing diffusion bonding for these bespoke plastic parts. We can combine this with our established experience with CNC machining. Our expertise in plastic forming and our capabilities in diffusion bonding allows us to create multilayer components with capabilities up to 100mm thick and microfluidic channel sizes down to 100µm, greatly complimenting our 3D printing microfluidic services with channels to 20µm. We can produce parts that perfectly match the customer's specifications for a wide range of industries and applications."
About IPFL
IPFL (https://www.ipfl.co.uk) is a family-run business in Waltham Abbey, Essex. It has a proud heritage of industry-leading expertise in the manufacture of bespoke plastic parts. Founded in 1969, the company built a reputation for high-quality prototype and experimental plastic parts. Continually embracing new technologies while retaining its expertise and artisanal skills, IPFL adopted CNC machining in the 1980s and 3D printing in 2003 - making it one of the earliest adopters in the industry. The firm has continued to adopt the latest developments in technology, technique and materials and now offers industry-leading quality and precision.
Specialising in prototype, bespoke, and on-demand parts, IPFL's services are utilised across various industries, including automotive and motorsport, medical and pharmaceutical, scientific instrumentation, film and TV, and Defence and Security, among many applications. The company's commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction positions it as a leader in the field of plastic part manufacturing.
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