--- title: How to Achieve Faster Changeovers & Reduce Scrap in Medical Parts description: Achieve quick and easy resin transitions for your medical plastics processing to eliminate scrap, reduce downtime and protect your profit potential. image: https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Asaclean%20Medical.jpg --- [ Order Online ](https://asaclean.my.site.com/b2bstore) [ Free Sample ](https://offers.asaclean.com/free-sample) ## [ Asaclean Blog ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog) Browse by Topic " aerospace asaclean asaclean news Asaclean® benefits asahi kasei automotive Best Practices black specks blisters blow molding blown-film extrusion buyers caps and closures carbon contamination cast-film extrusion Chemical Purging Compounds clear applications Color Changeovers Company News compounding consumer products contamination Cost savings custom molders Customer Success Story decreasing scrap defects electronics Energy Efficiency EX Grade extruder cleaning Extrusion fillament glass filled Glitter Grade Selection HDPE High and Low Temp Changeovers hold a bubble Hot Runners Injection Molding Injection Molding Tips LDPE Lightweight automotive components LLDPE low residue maintenance Material Changeovers Mechanical Purging Compounds medical Melt Flow Index NPE 24 nylons on the fly packaging PCR PEEK Polypropylene Post Consumer Resins preventative preventative purging processing tips profile extrusion Purge Program purge programs Purge Training Purge Trial purging purging compounds purging concentrates purging procedures Purging Tips quality recycled resins residue issues scrap reduction Screw Pulls sheet extrusion shutdown and sealing start-up super engineering resins Sustainability Tech Day technical support training trials Troubleshooting Twin Screw twin screw extrusion two step purging U Grade ULTEM venting Viscosity webinars wire extrusion - 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[Twin Screw](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/twin-screw) - [twin screw extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/twin-screw-extrusion) - [two step purging](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/two-step-purging) - [U Grade](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/u-grade) - [ULTEM](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/ultem) - [venting](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/venting) - [Viscosity](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/viscosity) - [webinars](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/webinars) - [wire extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/wire-extrusion) [ Subscribe ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts#subscribe-modal) ### Suscribirse Injection Molding / 5 min read / May 18, 2020 # How to Achieve Faster Changeovers & Reduce Scrap in Medical Parts - [Facebook Share ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts) - [Twitter Tweet ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts&text=How+to+Achieve+Faster+Changeovers+%26amp%3B+Reduce+Scrap+in+Medical+Parts) - [LinkedIn Share ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts&title=How%20to%20Achieve%20Faster%20Changeovers%20%26amp%3B%20Reduce%20Scrap%20in%20Medical%20Parts&summary=Achieve+quick+and+easy+resin+transitions+for+your+medical+plastics+processing+to+eliminate+scrap%2C+reduce+downtime+and+protect+your+profit+potential.&source=) - [Pinterest Pin ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts) - [Email Email ](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Achieve%20Faster%20Changeovers%20%26amp%3B%20Reduce%20Scrap%20in%20Medical%20Parts&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts) ![How to Achieve Faster Changeovers & Reduce Scrap in Medical Parts](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asaclean%20Medical.jpg?width=640&height=500&name=Asaclean%20Medical.jpg) ![How_To_Make_Your_Medical_Plastics_Resin_Transitions_More_Efficient.jpg](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/How_To_Make_Your_Medical_Plastics_Resin_Transitions_More_Efficient.jpg?width=350&name=How_To_Make_Your_Medical_Plastics_Resin_Transitions_More_Efficient.jpg "How_To_Make_Your_Medical_Plastics_Resin_Transitions_More_Efficient.jpg")As a medical plastics manufacturer, you likely rely on high-volume output in an effort to surpass budgeted profit margins. Special, thin-walled molds for medical plastics parts offer the advantage of high-volume product runs with short cycle times – a necessity since these applications run multiple colors.However, numerous resin transitions, from thin-walled molding in particular, result in high scrap rates and production downtime that decimate your profit potential. To achieve quick and easy resin transitions, you must implement a purging process that lessens or altogether eliminates scrap rates to keep production runs moving along. Fortunately, purging compounds have seen a lot of innovation in the last few years, resulting in grades that are specifically designed for thin-walled molding. The [most widely used plastic material in medical applications](http://info.craftechind.com/blog/the-many-uses-of-plastic-materials-in-medicine)  is PVC (followed by PE, PP, PS, Nylon, PET, PA, PC, ABS, PEEK and PU). As a versatile plastic, PVC has been used mostly in pre-sterilized, single-use medical applications for over 50 years. [According to PVC.org](http://www.pvc.org/en/p/pvc---the-most-widely-used-polymer-in-medical-applications), various medical applications made from or containing PVC include the following: - Containers for blood, urine continence and ostomy products - Containers for intravenous solution-giving sets - Heart and lung bypass sets - Catheters and cannulae - Tubing for dialysis, endotracheal, feeding and pressure monitoring - Surgical and examination gloves - Inflatable splints - Inhalation masks - Blister packs for pills and tablets Because clear PVC resins are used for high-cavity, thin-walled molding, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing the right purging compound: - Low-temperature PVC resins also require a low-temperature grade purging compound.  - For high-temperature resins, such as PEEK, you need a thermally stable, high-temperature grade of purging compound for an effective cleaning. **Please note: **Purging compounds are not regulated by the FDA. As such, most purging compound suppliers recommend only using the product for non-invasive medical applications. For invasive medical applications, purging compounds should only be used as part of a screw pull and manual cleaning/inspection. However, make sure to check with your purging compound supplier if the product can be used at all since the policy may vary by supplier. Purchasing the right purging compound for your medical plastics processing is the first step in achieving faster production runs with minimal scrap rate. The purging procedure you develop is equally important for the most efficient resin transitions. That’s why it is recommended you partner with a purging compound supplier who provides you with ample guidelines, step-by-step instructions and training for your crew. This multi-pronged approach to developing proper purging procedures is the only way to optimize the process. **Ready to achieve quick ****resin transitions**** for your ****medical plastics ****processing? Learn how ****purging compounds**** and process efficiency work in tandem. **   ![Tom Hanvey](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tom%20Headshot.jpg?width=150&name=Tom%20Headshot.jpg) #### [ Tom Hanvey ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/tom-hanvey) Tom Hanvey is the Associate Director of Marketing & Sustainability at Asahi Kasei Plastics North America. Before joining APNA, he worked as the Senior Marketing Manager for Asaclean Purging Compounds. He's worked in the plastics industry for over 10 years and focuses on recyclable resins and on the inbound marketing side, providing easy-to-digest content to processors looking for an edge on their competition. - [Share On LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashanvey/) ## Related Posts [![How To Make Your Medical Plastics Resin Transitions More Efficient](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/This%20image%20depicts%20a%20plastic%20syringe%20and%20other%20plastic%20medical%20devices%20Please%20only%20use%20real%20devices.jpeg?width=450&height=250&name=This%20image%20depicts%20a%20plastic%20syringe%20and%20other%20plastic%20medical%20devices%20Please%20only%20use%20real%20devices.jpeg) How To Make Your Medical Plastics Resin Transitions More Efficient Troubleshooting / 4 min read / May 17, 2016 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-to-make-your-medical-plastics-resin-transitions-more-efficient) [![Why Automotive Molders Need a Purge Program Now More Than Ever](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3%20Tips%20for%20High%20Temp%20Resins%20Blog%20Header.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=3%20Tips%20for%20High%20Temp%20Resins%20Blog%20Header.jpg) Why Automotive Molders Need a Purge Program Now More Than Ever SCRAP REDUCTION / 3 min read / August 22, 2023 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/why-automotive-molders-need-a-purge-program-now-more-than-ever) ## Comments Get Started ## Ready to start improving your efficiency and increasing your profitability? - [Request a Consultation](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts#) - [Contact Sales](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts#) ![](https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/assets/images/icons/icon-layers.svg) #### Free Sample Request a free sample of Asaclean® Purging Compounds for your plant and start saving today. 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[See your savings](https://www.asaclean.com/cost-savings-calculator) [ Back to Top ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tom Hanvey", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/tom-hanvey" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-27T17:06:19.026Z", "datePublished" : "2020-05-18T15:38:24.000Z", "headline" : "How to Achieve Faster Changeovers & Reduce Scrap in Medical Parts", "image" : [ "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Asaclean%20Medical.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Asaclean%20Logo%20TM.jpg" }, "name" : "Asahi Kasei Plastics North America" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "articleBody" : "As a medical plastics manufacturer, you likely rely on high-volume output in an effort to surpass budgeted profit margins. Special, thin-walled molds for medical plastics parts offer the advantage of high-volume product runs with short cycle times – a necessity since these applications run multiple colors.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tom Hanvey" }, "datePublished" : "May 18, 2020", "headline" : "How to Achieve Faster Changeovers & Reduce Scrap in Medical Parts", "image" : "https://468726.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/468726/Asaclean%20Medical.jpg", "name" : "How to Achieve Faster Changeovers & Reduce Scrap in Medical Parts", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-to-achieve-faster-changeovers-reduce-scrap-in-medical-parts" } ```