Medical injection molding seminar
Arburg medical technology event extremely well received in US / Exchange of experiences with experts
Michael Hehl, Managing Partner and Spokesperson for the Arburg Management Team: With the Selogica Assistant, we are once again treading a new path as pioneers in injection moulding technology.
 Lossburg. Almost 100 customers visited the Arburg Technology Center (ATC) Midwest in Elgin, Illinois, on June 24, 2010 in order to find out in depth about the injection molding of medical technology products. The main focus was on the transfer of knowledge. Renowned experts reported in detail on the trends and specifications in plastic injection molding for this demanding sector.
The practically-based presentations were met with great interest. Topics ranged from selecting a suitable moldmaker and special elastomer molding techniques through to validation of the injection molding processes. Martin Neff, Manager Midwest Sales & Engineering, who heads the ATC in Elgin, explained which injection molding machines are best suited for use in medical technology. Important factors here include flexibility, a precision clamping unit, innovative drive technology and the option of integrating robotic systems and peripherals. Arburg offers its customers an extensive modular range from a single source.

Kevin Hennessy from Starrco and Dennis Porto from Innerspace Design spoke on the subject of clean room technology – considerations ranged from classification and design through to lifecycle costs. Joe Rettinger from the Emergo Group described how the injection molding process is validated in practice and why this is so important. He addressed the issue of risk management, for example, which serves as a basis for analyzing critical parameters in order to minimize downtimes and reduce costs. Richard Gene from Kebo reported on the criteria for choosing a moldmaker and Terry Kochersperger from Baxter gave details on how an OEM selects a suitable injection molding provider.

The event was rounded off with the presentation of the latest machine technology, including robotic systems. Three machines were demonstrated:
•An electric Allrounder 470 A with a clamping force of 88 tons produced protective caps for syringes on a 48-cavity hot-runner mold. The cycle time was 4.9 seconds.
•On an Allrounder 520 A machine with a clamping force of 143 tons, two battery holders were produced per cycle in 18.5 seconds and then removed by a horizontally- operating Multilift H robotic system.
•Four 12.7 g operating buttons for hospital bed remote controls were produced per cycle in 12.1 seconds on a hydraulic Allrounder 420 C with a clamping force of 110 tons. The automation solution in this case was a vertical Multilift V.

“Our speakers covered virtually the complete range of subjects around medical injection molding. The presentations were extremely well received by the participants,” summarized Friedrich Kanz, Subsidiary Manager of Arburg USA. “We presented ourselves as an expert partner for our customers from the medical technology sector and, with three Arburg Technology Centers around the US, we offer the ideal conditions for specialist events of this kind, including practical demonstrations. In the second half of 2010, Arburg will hold an automation forum and an LSR event in the US in a similar vein.