Ferromatik Milacron demonstrates “cutting edge” medical moulding

At the Plastpol exhibition in Poland earlier this year, Ferromatik Milacron demonstrated what it describes as a “cutting-edge medical application” by producing adhesive-free disposable syringes on an Elektron 110 all-electric injection moulding machine.

“Adhesive-free production of disposable syringes is completely new. Today over 95 percent of all cannulas are still made using glue,” said Sven Engelmann, Head of Applications and Systems at Ferromatik Milacron.

The Elektron 110 has a clamping force of 1,100 kN and is equipped with an international size 120 injection unit featuring an 18 mm diameter three-zone screw. Zahoransky, based in Freiburg, Germany, supplied the mould and an automated system allowing for the insertion of needles into the mould for the efficient production of disposable syringes. The needles, which are attached without the use of an adhesive, are placed in the mould, where they are encapsulated with COP plastic (Cyclo-Olefin-Copolymer).

Parallel with the placement of the needles in one half of the mould, finished syringes are removed from the other half. Ferromatik Milacron says this allows for a significantly reduced cycle time: four syringes are produced every twenty seconds.