OGM has announced that production is about to begin on mouldings for a new capillary blood sampling device for a global diabetes care company.
After two years and some seven months of validation, this project is now entering the PQ stage with a number of 100,000 run batches to be completed before volumes build up to the projected 500,000 production batches later this year.
Paul Wightman, managing director, commented: "This project has been technically challenging. From the nine highly complex 16 cavity hot runner tools to the moulding machine specification, all the ancillary equipment to run the machine cells to ensure the product quality. This has been a big project and we are pleased to have arrived at this milestone with so little drama along the way. It really has been a model project in this respect and I am particularly impressed with how our NPI and quality teams have handled the plan so effectively.”
Particular focus has been placed on correct machine specification as the complex thin walled part designs demand very large tools with small shot weights. Working with Krauss Maffei on the five machine package, solutions were found, and in one instance a 160t machine with plattens for a 700mm x 530mm size, 16 cavity tool with a total shot weight of just 4.2gms was required. Careful consideration was also given to the design and layout of the manufacturing cell, the equipment and workstations for quality control together with minimal parts and material handling so that the least possible physical labour is involved with running the 24/5 operation.
A long term supply agreement has been signed giving OGM the security of known annual volumes ensuring a return on the large capital investment that the project has required.