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Braunform focuses on its MED mold standard for cleanrooms at FakumaBraunform focuses on its MED mold standard for cleanrooms at Fakuma

Fakuma has become known as one of the largest international trade fairs for plastics processing, and has become the place for new technology introductions. At this year's Fakuma (Oct. 14-18) in Friedrichshafen, Braunform will focus on its MED mold standard for cleanroom molding using modular inserts of a 96-cavity injection mold for a pen hub (needle holder). Braunform will be at booth #5207 in Hall A5.

Clare Goldsberry

August 6, 2014

2 Min Read
Braunform focuses on its MED mold standard for cleanrooms at Fakuma

Fakuma has become known as one of the largest international trade fairs for plastics processing, and has become the place for new technology introductions. At this year's Fakuma (Oct. 14-18) in Friedrichshafen, Braunform will focus on its MED mold standard for cleanroom molding using modular inserts of a 96-cavity injection mold for a pen hub (needle holder). Braunform will be at booth #5207 in Hall A5.

During the exhibition, a high cavity injection mold with a cycle time of 3.9 second will be exhibited at the booth of Engel, on a fully electric e-motion 220-ton press. The mold was designed and built by Braunform as an R&D project for developing new technologies and possibilities for this technology, Braunform told PlasticsToday. The high-cavity injection mold processes the polypropylene pen hubs in a highly automated manufacturing cell under constant visual monitoring. Using cores designed with a diameter of only 0.3mm and 0.5mm, the mold is designed according to the latest, state-of-the-art technology.

Pressefoto_Fakuma_2.jpegIn the development of the mold, special attention was placed on the modular design, i.e. the modules are individually centered and (de)mounted to be externally accessible. Furthermore, the mold cooling is developed to achieve the shortest cycle times using vacuum brazing. "The biggest challenge was to reduce the cycle time by modifying the part design (DFM) without changing the function of this pharmaceutical product," said Timo Steinebrunner, sales manager for Braunform. "Also, special attention had to be given to the mold layout - the cooling of the mold. Usually these type of molds run with a significantly higher cycle time."

Automation specialist Hekuma developed the high-speed parts extraction system with an acceleration of up to 17G. The automated system is integrated with a camera surveillance system for automatically sorting rejected parts in case of breaking cores in the mold. Also participating in this project for Fakuma are Braunform's partners, Muesburger, HEITEC and Listemann.

Recently, Braunform was awarded with the seal "Innovative by Research" from one of Germany's largest private academic patrons, the "Stifterverband," which honored Braunform for its outstanding research and development activities and the amount of money invested in the project. The award is given each year on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Research and Education.

Braunform was also awarded the "Top Job" award as one of the best employers in Germany for medium-sized companies. "Top Job" mentor Wolfgang Clement honored the company in the German SME (small-to-medium enterprises) Summit in Essen on June 27. 

About the Author

Clare Goldsberry

Until she retired in September 2021, Clare Goldsberry reported on the plastics industry for more than 30 years. In addition to the 10,000+ articles she has written, by her own estimation, she is the author of several books, including The Business of Injection Molding: How to succeed as a custom molder and Purchasing Injection Molds: A buyers guide. Goldsberry is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. She reflected on her long career in "Time to Say Good-Bye."

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