Braunform GmbH – Precision in the service of medicine for decades

32-fold production tool for insulin pen housings.

The Braunform GmbH, based in Bahlingen a. K. in Baden, is a pioneer in medical technology in its field. The combination of pharmaceutical and technological know-how makes Braunform an indispensable partner for medical manufacturing. At Fakuma 2024, the company will present a tool that impressively reflects the company's expertise.

Specifically, it is an 8-cavity injection molding tool designed specifically for manufacturing insulin pen housings. The 8-cavity pilot tool enabled testing and optimization of the part and tool design, ultimately resulting in a 32-cavity production tool. Thanks to synchronized mechanical movements combined with a horizontal part, direct injection with needle shut-off is possible. The tool is characterized by high user-friendliness. Production is efficient and precise. The additional ejector stage controls the movement of two mini-sliders, resulting in a very space-saving and compact design.

Joachim Stiller, Managing Director of Braunform GmbH, emphasizes: “Our tool represents our many years of experience in medical technology and our commitment to innovation. We are proud to offer our customers high-quality and process-secure solutions that meet their desire for effective and sustainable production processes.”

The foundation of the technology and design of the tool are based on two core competencies of Braunform GmbH: the Lift&Strip® technology and the MED Mold® standard established since 2010.

The original Lift&Strip® technology patented by Braunform: An outstanding feature of the tool is the Lift&Strip® technique. The movement initiated by the machine ejector simultaneously lifts and strips the part. This innovative solution optimizes the production process and increases manufacturing efficiency.

How does Lift&Strip® work? The Lift&Strip® technology allows for easier operation of the stripping plate and reduces cycle time. The stripping plate moves synchronously with the mold opening via a movable guide. Previously, the mold was opened and the stripping plate was operated with a separate drive. Now, this drive is eliminated, and two processes are combined into one.

Advantages of Lift&Strip®:

– Optimized injection possibilities: The system allows for a horizontal longitudinal arrangement of the part. This avoids side-gate applications, and traditional needle shut-off applications can be implemented without issue.
– Quality optimization: In the horizontal arrangement, fewer problems with flash formation occur compared to slide and core tools. Additionally, the vertical arrangement enables higher parting line tolerances.
– Time, cost, and space savings: The Lift&Strip® system lifts the supporting core synchronously and strips the molded part simultaneously. This saves time, tool costs, and space.
– Thanks to lateral demolding via ejectors, no additional ejectors or markings on the part are required.
– The slide design allows for various stripping speeds.
– Implementation in multi-component processes is easily possible.
The challenge lies in mechanically coupling the stripping movement. The movement of the machine ejector is redirected into a transverse movement via the slide.

Tool according to MED Mold® standard: The Braunform MED Mold® is a concept for the safe use of injection molding tools in cleanrooms, based on the company's more than 25 years of experience in medical technology and cleanroom production. It was specifically developed for medical and pharmaceutical applications and considers the challenges posed by tools used in cleanrooms. This standard defines various tool specifications and their use according to ISO cleanroom classes in detail. The specialist team at Braunform GmbH fully integrated the MED Mold® standard into the company in June 2010. With this expertise, Braunform offers its customers in medical technology wear- and particle-free injection molding tools and, if needed, a safe and efficient production of plastic parts.

“With more than 25 years of experience in medical technology and cleanroom production, we are proud to provide our customers in the medical field with an additional step towards the safe and effective production of their plastic parts,” says Joachim Stiller, Managing Director of Braunform GmbH.