Hekuma, a high performance automation company that specialises in the environment of injection moulding processes, describes its new HEKUcath platform.
In recent years, the demand for catheters has grown significantly. This diagnostic and treatment instrument is used for a wide range of applications and its use is far from its limits. In order to be able to cope with these increasing volumes in the medical market, catheter manufacturers must continue to automate their work processes.
Hekuma has created a solution for production companies with its fully automated production line for single lumen catheters - the HEKUcath. Here, the manufacturer receives automation, an injection moulding machine, and mould from a single source.
High quantitative output
The HEKUcath system aims to ensure a high quantitative output is possible. A prerequisite for this is that the take-out gripper can handle up to 16 cavities from the injection mould, and as a result, 16 catheters can be processed at once.
Another reason for high output is the optimised system availability, which can be achieved through very short mould open times of less than one second when using a horizontal injection moulding machine. To achieve this, Hekuma queried the mould position via additional displacement sensors on the machine clamping unit. The start signal for the entry movement is thus given earlier as it is triggered by the sensor.
Meeting quality requirements
Absolute precision and cleanliness are required in the manufacture of medical devices. The fewer contact points and the more precise the production, the lower the risk of contamination and later infections, when using the catheter. Therefore, the minimal intervention that is required by the operating staff benefits the quality of the medical device.
The HEKUcath solution has an integrated camera which means that the catheters are inspected "on-the-fly" 100% contact-free for injection moulding defects and tube length. Any parts which are inspected and classed as ‘bad’ are disposed of fully automatically.
Flexibility
The design of the system aims to offer a great deal of flexibility so that it can be variably modified according to the manufacturer's requirements and quickly converted. This allows the customer to determine the number of cavities, as well as the length and diameter of the catheter tubing that is suitable for them. It is also possible to choose the lumen supply either from the roll or from the magazine. Additionally, various packaging modules can be integrated and there is the option of Unique Device Identification (UDI) to guarantee complete traceability of the production process.
Conclusion
The entire production cell requires only a minimal footprint, so that the compact design offers the potential for savings in material, space and therefore costs. The HEKUcath platform aims to meet all current market requirements for the processing of single lumen catheters and allows customised solutions.