TECHNOLOGY | MEDICAL
demonstrator at K2019, the safety goggles could be produced quickly using the same tools and design. Ems agreed to the use of the tool and Uvex made the goggles usable for the new application with quick certifica- tion. The goggles are produced in one piece on an electric Allrounder 570 A with the Gestica control system in a cycle time of about 50 s. In May, the company also started produc-
tion of LSR and PP mouth and nose masks for everyday use. The injection moulds for the LSR and PP components were built in five weeks. An Allrounder 570 A with a clamping force of 2,000 kN produces the LSR masks with a 4-cavity mould from Polar-Form in the Arburg Training Center, while an Allrounder 520 E Golden Electric with a clamping force of 2,000 kN and a 2-cavity mould from Foboha simultaneously produces the PP shields in the Customer Center. The larger injection moulding machine operates with an LSR dosing unit from Elmet and a six-axis robot from Kuka, which removes the flexible masks from the mould in a demanding moulding removal process and places them on a conveyor belt. In the second machine, a linear Multilift Select robotic system takes over the handling of the PP shields. Finally, the PP label is manually placed on the silicone mask with form closure, the mask is completed with elastic straps and packed. Future developments in medical moulding will involve increased environmental awareness, according to Manka. “New solutions need to be found to reduce or recycle hospital waste,” he says. “Leading pharmaceutical and medical technology manufacturers have set themselves the goal of making an important contribution in this respect. Wherever possible, biodegradable polymers are used that can be composted after use. A second approach is to avoid mixed materials, for example different plastics that cannot be used as recyclates, or composites made of metal and plastic. In the pharmaceutical sector, packaging is part of the product and must therefore also be approved.
Engel and Haidlmair have collaborated to supply injection moulding machines specifically tailored to the new mask mould so they can be delivered particularly quickly
Above: Engel and Hack Formenbau jointly developed and optimised the process for high-volume test swab production. The mould solution, injection moulding machine and automation are precisely tuned for maximum efficiency and quality
Many new medicinal products may no longer come into contact with conservative packaging materials, such as glass. This has led to a renaissance in the field of cyclic olefin copolymers (COC). In addition to its advantages in terms of weight and resistance to breakage, this material is also ideally suited for pre-filled syringes containing biological vaccines.” Engel has collaborated with mould maker Haidlmair to develop and implement a new mould solution for the production of reusable masks, which is now being used by plastics processing companies worldwide, to help combat the Cov- id-19 threat. Engel says that it is delivering injection moulding machines geared for this, in record time. The two-piece reusable masks produced by Ger- man company Providee, which are injection-mould- ed from TPE, provide protection for the mouth and nose for use in daily life and in certain work situations, for example in the construction industry. The masks can be cleaned and disinfected and different filter materials can be inserted. In coun- tries that have exempted face masks from medical device legislation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these masks can be produced and marketed by companies from a wide range of industries. “This solution allows us to help companies change their production at short notice in order to actively participate in the fight against the further spread of Covid-19,” says Christoph Steger, CSO of Engel. Engel adds that it offers injection moulding machines specifically tailored to Haidlmair’s mould solution. These include an Engel Victory 330/80 for the single-cavity version, an Engel E-Victory 740/160 for the two-cavity version and an Engel Duo 1560/350 for the four-cavity mould. Engel plants are
26 INJECTION WORLD | September 2020
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: ENGEL
IMAGE: ENGEL
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