Innovative tool competence for high batch sizes

The Braunform MED mold® combines process-safe pharmaceutical technology with a 96-cavity high-speed runner.

Braunform, together with the project partners Hekuma and Engel, will present a high-cavity injection molding tool in the MED mold® standard with the shortest cycle time (approx. 5 seconds) at "K2013" from October 16th to 23rd, 2013 in Düsseldorf.

The 96-cavity tool for a pen hub (needle holder) corresponds to the Braunform MED mold® standard, specifically designed for cleanroom applications, and is based on the company's long-standing expertise in mold making for pharmaceutical technology. The high-cavity injection molding tool reliably produces the high-volume pharmaceutical products in a highly automated manufacturing cell under continuous visual monitoring. With cores of only 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm in diameter, the tool is designed according to the latest technology. Particular attention during development was paid to modular construction, meaning the modules are individually centered and accessible from outside for disassembly. Furthermore, the tool cooling system was designed to achieve the shortest cycle times, including vacuum-bonded inserts. Also noteworthy is the lateral direct injection of the article with a full hot runner system from the brand Heitec.

For the overall project implementation, automation specialist Hekuma developed high-speed removal with accelerations of up to 17G and camera monitoring for sorting out defective cores. This means that in case of core breakage, the defective parts are automatically sorted out. The machine manufacturer Engel provides a fully electric E-Motion 220t. Also involved in the realization of the tool were the mold partners Meusburger, Heitec, and Listemann. During the trade fair, the injection molding tool will be displayed at Engel's booth. The corresponding modular inserts can be examined in detail at the Braunform booth in Hall 1, Stand F30.

The machine manufacturer Ferromatik Milacron GmbH will showcase a 4-cavity injection molding tool for producing a single-component container of the product "Adapplicator" on its stand. The cycle time of the tool is 9 seconds, and the part weight is 1.6g.

This tool is characterized by the fact that the hot half is intended for 2 products: the 1ml Adapplicator and the 2ml Adapplicator. The modular unit – specifically the cavity plate on the Düse side and the complete ejection side – can be changed while the hot half remains on the injection molding machine.

The tool is modularly constructed, with the mold inserts on the Düse side being interchangeable. The mold plate does not need to be replaced. On the ejection side, the stripping ring can be disassembled from the front. This disassembly can take place on the injection molding machine, which has the advantage that the tool does not need to be removed from the machine during maintenance or cleaning processes.

The Adapplicator, also known as "the spray ampoule," for mucosal and topical applications in human medicine, veterinary medicine, and wellness, is used by many doctors, naturopaths, and pharmacies.