Innovative Solutions: C. Brewer Company introduces Ultraviolet (UV) Flow Analysis™

C. Brewer Company's philosophy is governed by three basic ideas with immense implications: caring, innovation, and science. It is not surprising then, that C. Brewer Co. has introduced Ultraviolet (UV) Flow Analysis™, a breakthrough synthetic polymer mold flow analysis technique for detecting flaws in molded plastic parts that helps improve yields of high-quality products obtained from the injection molding process.

Invented by company engineers, Ultraviolet (UV) Flow Analysis™ is essentially a plastics “angiogram” based on glowing UV light fluorescence. It resembles the process of angiography, the examination of vessels (arteries, veins or capillaries through which blood circulates) used to detect blockage and disease. In contrast, Ultraviolet (UV) Flow Analysis™ involves using a fluorescent dye infused into plastic to capture and examine—via inspection microscopes with USB digital cameras and fiber optics—a molded part’s rheological (material flow) behavior. The technique, which resembles angiography, is used to detect “knit” or “weld” lines—otherwise imperceptible flaws that are common in molded plastic parts. These lines are intrinsic to every molded part and occur naturally where melted material flows together around holes or obstructions. Imperfections in molded plastic material may eventually cause weakening or breaking of components during use, or interfere with the optical characteristics of material.

“The majority of molding production defects result from design flaws in the mold or plastic part, a very costly problem in the industry," said Chuck Brewer III, CEO of C. Brewer Company. "Anomalies can create inefficiencies in the molding process along with reduced quality in the end-product. By using Ultraviolet (UV) Flow Analysis™, we can detect, identify and minimize these problems early on, improve yields and better meet customer expectations.”

This innovative approach to a very real problem has been featured on this month’s cover of Medical Design Briefs.

To find out more about C. Brewer Company's team of innovative dedicated project managers contact us here.