The purgeability and material quality of the channels have high priority in analytical equipment for in-vitro diagnostics, but also in other processes in which gases or liquids are precisely distributed; after all, the accuracy of the systems depends on this. At the same time, however, economical solutions are also required. Especially for small series, it is a challenge to keep production costs low. Bürkert Fluid Control Systems (see company box) in the Criesbach system house proves that quality and cost-effectiveness are not mutually exclusive with a standardized, modular plastic injection molding technology that is suitable for small series with quantities between approx. 250 and 2,500 units.
Despite the standardization, individual adaptations are possible. Since everything from consulting and planning, material selection and qualification, component development, prototyping and simulation to mold design including pilot plant and production in the company’s own plastic injection molding shop is in one hand and the customer has only one contact, time-to-market can be significantly reduced.
Individual small-batch production thanks to adapted injection molding process Normally, high mold costs for injection molds make the process unattractive for small batches. Based on more than 40 years of experience in plastic injection molding, Bürkert has therefore developed a modular mold system in which only aluminum inserts and not the complete steel base frame have to be custom-made. This lowers the investment costs and reduces the project time without compromising quality. Thanks to the high vertical range of manufacture, the entire process up to the series product takes place under one roof (Fig. 2) and the components are perfectly matched to each other. Special solutions can also be taken into account and, for example, supplied housing parts can be integrated.
