The perfect combination: ALLROUNDER machines and expertise

RKT GmbH

RKT GmbH was founded in 1974 and has evolved from a mould maker and injection moulding manufacturer into a technology leader offering innovative plastics processing solutions for the medical technology, diagnostics and life sciences sectors. Since 2023, RKT has been working with a pharmaceutical company on a major project to manufacture components for insulin pens. 500 million parts are produced annually for each of three different components. As part of the project, which is scheduled to run for at least 15 years, the company has expanded its production capacity and invested in six additional highly automated ALLROUNDER machines. ARBURG has supported the project from the outset with comprehensive medical know-how and expertise in application technology and project management.

Top performance

128 camera-inspected moulded parts are produced in cycle times of just 5.7 to 6.4 seconds, which is even faster than the customer’s specified requirement of 6 to 7 seconds.

Automation

A high-speed robotic system from Micro Automation with a horizontal demoulding axis ensures the reliable, precise and fully automated handling of the polypropylene moulded parts.

Partnership

From design qualification (DQ) and installation qualification (IQ) right through to 3D data-based validation, ARBURG has supported the project with comprehensive application and process expertise.

Challenge

The aim was the cost-effective serial production of needle holders, needle mounts and covers in 128-cavity high-cavity moulds, with the shortest possible cycle times and fully automated high-speed handling. Production had to take place under clean-room conditions (ISO Class 8), including camera-assisted 100% inspection to reject bad parts. In addition, precise mould cooling and cycle-accurate monitoring of temperatures and flow rates were crucial to guaranteeing the highest output volumes with consistent quality and fast delivery times.

Solution

Six ARBURG injection moulding machines were used – four hybrid ALLROUNDER 570 H models and two ALLROUNDER 720 H models. Working closely with RKT, ARBURG supported the project with comprehensive medical know-how and expertise in project management and application technology.

Production reliability was enhanced, amongst other things, by the start-up program, which reduces operating errors and enables a rapid, stable start to production. The initial on-site commissioning by ARBURG’s application technology team ensured a smooth implementation and consistently high product quality right from the start. The hybrid ALLROUNDER technology enables dosing across cycles, making it possible to achieve extremely short cycle times. Regular calibrations ensure consistently high quality and stable, efficient production. Overall, the machines ensure stable production with high overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

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Your ARBURG Contact

“As a trusted partner, ARBURG has supported us through the high level of commitment shown by its sales, application technology and project management teams.”

Matthias Berg, Head of Key Account Medical

Outlook

For this project, RKT is placing its trust in ARBURG as a long-standing and reliable partner, based on a proven development and machinery partnership offering short reaction and delivery times. As production volumes continue to rise, the collaboration is set to be strategically expanded in future, both in the area of machine technology and in project-related support.

Industry

Medical

Maximum precision, cleanliness, clean-room concepts? You can be sure that we will find the right medical technology solution for every application. For example, electric ALLROUNDERs in a stainless steel version.

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