Hall 1, booth I 20
At Medtec, Engel will be demonstrating how process integration can help medical technology manufacturers. The Austrian injection moulding machine manufacturer will be producing auto-injector parts in two-component technology.
Engel e-motion 80H/80W/180 T WP combi in cleanroom design will be producing auto-injector parts in two-component technology at the show. (photos: Engel)
Medical product manufacturers increasingly need to pay attention to unit cost per piece. And here process integration can offer enormous saving potential. Highly-integrated and automated production cells contribute to reduce investment outlay and operating costs. Such systems typically need far less floor space, there is no need to store intermediate products, and in many applications process stability and end product quality can be increased by merging what were previously separate steps. As an example, ABS and TPE will be processed in a single step, using a servo-electric 16+16x index platen mould, on an Engel e-motion 80H/80W/180 T WP combi in cleanroom design at Medtec. The company is implementing this exhibit in cooperation with system partners, including Hack Formenbau, SHL (Scandinavian Health), Piovan, Max Petek Reinraumtechnik and Stäubli.
The auto-injector parts will be injected into a 16+16x index platen mould.
Cycle Time < 3s, injection speed > 500mm/s
The parts will be manipulated by an Engel easix multi-axis industrial robot that is fully integrated with the injection moulding machine’s control unit. The move instructions for the robot are built into the machine’s control unit so that the machine operator no longer needs to be familiar with and operate two separate controls. Because the integrated robot can access the machine parameters, interaction between the robot system and the machine movements can be optimised. For example, the integrated robot can start to take off moulded parts before the mould is fully open, thus reducing cycle time. According to the company, its all-electric injection moulding machines are capable of achieving cycle times of well under 3s, and injection speeds of more than 500mm/s. The company has also extended its medium-sized machine range and machines with 160 and 220t clamping force have been added to the range.
The Engel easix robot deposits the moulded parts on trays which feed the moulded parts to a downstream assembly machine in the correct orientation.
Minimum contamination risk with GMP-compliant tray server
Engel will also be demonstrating its cleanroom solutions. The integrated tray server was developed specifically for cleanroom applications, where the discharge and feed systems have often been identified as the cause of contamination. The entire production cell is encapsulated as a cleanroom. To reduce abrasive wear and particulate matter load to a minimum, only GMP-compliant materials are used for trays and belt conveyors, thus eliminating direction changes. The trays help to feed the moulded parts to a downstream assembly machine in the correct orientation.
Part manipulation is encapsulated as a cleanroom including the injection unit. The integrated tray server was developed by Engel specifically for cleanroom applications.
Engel med.con on February 25, 2013 in Wurmberg
One day before the Medtec, Engel is launching an industry meeting for medical technology experts. The Engel med.con takes place on February 25, 2013 in Wurmberg near Stuttgart, Germany. Here, customers, partners and interested parties will discuss the latest trends and exchange views and experiences with other experts, and learn more about advanced machine and automation technologies, process engineering and turnkey solutions. The event is not a purely trade-only conference, but also intended to provide practical know-how.
www.engelglobal.com
