Study of Shrinkage and Warpage in Microcellular Co-Injection Molding

This study investigated the effects of processing conditions on the shrinkage and warpage behavior of a box-shaped, polypropylene part created using a special microcellular co-injection molding process. Results were compared to the shrinkage and warpage of conventional and microcellular injection molded parts. A preliminary study was performed to determine processing condition limits and the steady state conditions for each combination of molding parameters. A 26-1 fractional factorial design of experiments (DOE) was performed utilizing the previously determined processing conditions. The molded parts were measured using an optical coordinate measuring machine (OCMM), which had previously been examined with a repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) study. These measurements were analyzed to determine the processing parameters that had the greatest effect on the shrinkage and warpage (S&W). The results of this analysis indicated that the supercritical fluid content and core-to-skin volume ratio had the greatest effect on the shrinkage and warpage of microcellular co-injection molded parts. The results of the experiment were that a considerable reduction in shrinkage and warpage could be achieved by utilizing microcellular co-injection molding.

Telekid Care: bringing health care into schools

BACKGROUND

Telekid Care is a project that attempts to overcome the health and educational barriers faced by children in urban Kansas City, Kansas. Telemedicine units were placed in school nurses' offices and linked to physicians at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). This paper describes the development of this project, presents utilization data, and discuss the lessons learned from the application of telemedicine in a school setting.

RESULTS

Project developers spent 11 months designing the protocol and procedures for a pilot test. Four elementary schools participated, and 187 consultations were conducted. The most common reason for consultation was ear, nose, and throat (ENT) problems, making up 28% of all consults. Mandatory school physical examinations and dermatology problems combined to make up an additional 40% of the consults. The average time that elapsed between the request for a consult and confirmation of an appointment was 23 minutes. When immediate service was requested, 85% of the consults occurred the day of the request. These results strongly demonstrate telemedicine's ability to offer immediate service to children in need.

CONCLUSION

Telemedicine enabled underserved inner-city children to gain access to health services. This service was most effective when it was integrated into the delivery system. Furthermore, community groups strongly favored the project, positively influencing its acceptance as an innovative health care delivery system.