Technology
mix eliminates assembly steps and improves product quality.
One of the most important questions suppliers of medical devices
ask themselves is how can we reduce (read eliminate) the risk
of contamination during the production process? The answer lies
in taking out those steps that are the greatest risk factors.
In many cases these are about the interference by people. Looking
at the production process of medical devices the injection moulding
and assembly processes are critical steps in the realisation of
the medical device. Co-operation between the OEM (product owner)
and the supplier of the injection moulds brings opportunities
for eliminating risk factors to the table. The OEM shows the supplier
how the realisation of the product take place. Then it is up to
the supplier of the injection moulds to adapt his design to and
apply specific know-how to the development of an injection mould
solution.
Approaching customers worldwide with this philosophy Axxicon
Mould Technology successfully develops high performance multi-cavity
moulds for a wide range of medical devices such as Dozing systems,
Inhalers, Self diagnostic and self medication devices that comply
with the most stringent requirements.
As an example Axxicon Mould Technology has developed, for a leading
manufacturer of filters, a multi-cavity mould system for the production
of a filtering device for fluids. The device consists of 4 parts
that require several finishing operations. This multi cavity injection
mould system eliminates the need for expensive and space consuming
assembly lines.
By successfully combining injection moulding operations (machine),
injection mould design and robotics, the new Axxicon system delivers
final parts in a short production cycle, using only one single
mould instead of costly multiple moulds and/or assembly and finishing
operations.
According to Axxicon these specific mould systems were developed
to meet customer needs:
“Assembling and finishing of parts can require
a significant investment in equipment – and it can tie up
valuable stock as the semi-finished parts are waiting to be finished.
Axxicon has the engineering skills and the experience to develop
customer specific solutions that deliver productivity gains in
time and investment as well as space.”
The complete system produces several components in one shot (multi
component). After the injection of the two components in two different
positions within the mould the mould opens, a robot completes
the assembly by bringing in the internal component and bringing
together parts and filter before the assembled part is over moulded
into a finished product, while new components are produced for
the next assembly in the same shot. This type of assembly is suitable
for filters used in many sectors – from water engineering
to automotive and medical.
The system offers extreme accuracy and repeatability is guaranteed.
The system eliminates the need for additional assembly equipment
and reduces the number of people involved in the assembly process.
All this reduces the chances of contamination and therefore reject.
Resulting in higher yield and higher productivity bringing the
lowest cost per product for the customer. Furthermore the control
over the production system is easier and the reject can be easily
traced due to the reduction of manufacturing steps.
Axxicon can bring unique solutions to even the most difficult
product engineering challenges with exceptionally short lead times.
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