Originally Published EMDM January/February 2002
MOULDING EQUIPMENT
Tooling maker provides complete process solutions to device OEMs
Narrowly focussing on the production of moulds is not a recipe for success in today's business environment, according to Jan Willem den Hollander, marketing manager at IGS High Tech B.V. (Tilburg, Netherlands). "Our strategy is to deliver a complete process and not just the tooling," says den Hollander. "Customers want added value, from engineering assistance in product design to mould optimization following SPC and initial production trials." The company's approach has met with considerable success in the medical device sector, as illustrated by the inhaler parts, filter components, and related items moulded using IGS High Tech tooling that were on display at its stand at the K 2001 show.
One of IGS High Tech's key competitive advantages, according to den Hollander, is the manner in which it fabricates tooling. It is one of the few mould makers in Europe to use robotics in its manufacturing process. "Although almost all of the moulds that we produce are custom products, we have been able to implement a continuous mould-manufacturing process," explains den Hollander. "The electrode milling and EDM departments are fully automated and can run 24 hours a day." Medical OEMs who visit the facility are routinely impressed by the tooling room, "which looks almost like a cleanroom," he adds.
The company recently participated in the design and manufacture of a 16-cavity mould for a 17-chamber "drum" cartridge that is used in the Accu-Check Compact blood glucose monitor from Roche Diagnostics.
Norbert Sparrow
Copyright ©2002 European Medical Device Manufacturer
