The fourth edition of the Medical Silicone Conference (MSC) will be held for the first time in Boston, a major hub for medical device manufacturing. The two-day event, set for Oct 4-5, will feature presentations by leading industry experts on material, processing, and design topics specific to medical device OEMs. Unlike other polymer or silicone conferences, the Medical Silicone Conference focuses exclusively on utilizing silicone in the medical device industry. The event will be held at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel in Framingham, MA. Continuing the tradition of our successful two-day Medical Silicone Conference events in Minneapolis and Anaheim, this MSC will feature presentations by leading industry experts on all areas of silicone and silicone processing, including integrating parts into assemblies, addressing antimicrobial issues, developing a successful molding program, designing microscale components, and more. The keynote session will address the daunting task of maintaining supplier files that meet FDA expectations.

"We are excited to hold this successful event in Boston, home to so much medical device manufacturing," says Medical Design Publisher Bill Rodman. "This event brings together the latest information on so many critical topics for the development of silicone devices and components. Our line-up of speakers are delving into the cutting edge of silicone, from antimicrobial technologies to delivering innovative designs that provide precision and functionality in smaller packages. As innovation remains at the top of everyone’s mind, there's never been a better time to come and hear these dynamic speakers."

The following pages contain important information on the session topics, speakers, and sponsors. These sessions provide a targeted opportunity to learn of the latest advances and techniques. To register, go to www.medicalsiliconeconference.com. The Web site also provides details on the schedule of events, exhibits, and special pricing for medical device OEMs.
–Sherrie Conroy, Director of Content

KEYNOTE: Day 1
Creating and Maintaining Supplier Files to Meet FDA Expectations
John Avellanet, Managing Director and Principal, Cerulean Associates LLC, Williamsburg, VA.
Learn the questions FDA inspectors are trained to ask, the supplier management documents most frequently requested, and the red flags the inspector looks for. Understand how to maintain a supplier dossier in a cost-effective manner. And obtain a proven FDA-compliant process flow for creating and maintaining supplier dossiers. Supplemental reference materials will be made available to attendees after the talk.

GENERAL SESSIONS: Day 1

The Evolution of Silicone Molding
Kevin Franzino, Project Engineer, Albright Technologies Inc, Leominster, MA.
The silicone molding industry has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years. This has created opportunities for silicone distributors and molders alike to spring up and fit niches in a rapidly evolving field. Distributors are developing highly specialized materials to achieve case-specific goals, while silicone molders are experimenting with novel processing techniques to meet unique customer demands and specifications. This presentation will explain the properties of different silicone materials, and the ins and outs of more commonly used processing methods, as well as providing a brief synopsis of silicone’s booming emergence into the materials industry.

Factors Required For a Successful Silicone Molding Program
Mark Hammond, General Manager, GW Silicones, Royalton, VT.
In order to have complete success for a silicone molding program, both the OEM and molding supplier need to fully understand the requirements and needs of each other. Developing the program in the right manner using proper part design, prototype techniques, material selection, tolerances, mold design, and production method are vital to success. This presentation will discuss the many factors involved in a silicone program and provide some helpful tips for the medical OEM when it comes to launching a project.

Project Management: Identifying Critical Process Parameters of Molded LSR Components
Nirav Patel, General Manager, G&F Medical, Danvers, MA.
Molding process parameters play significant role in shrinkage and product performance of the molded LSR components. Learn how to identify the most critical process parameters and establish solid process to maintain shrinkage and product performance consistent over time.

Integrating Silicone Parts into Medical Device Assemblies
David Wolgemuth, Senior LSR Engineer, Phillips Plastics MS LSR Facility, Hudson, WI.
This presentation will cover integrating silicone parts into medical device assemblies for robust products. It will start by examining an assembly or product design issue, followed by a walkthrough of the design considerations, materials selection, and tooling allowances for two-shot molding with LSR. The speaker will show some initial part designs, followed by a walkthrough as the design changes with each modification for the required tweak or allowance.