Following its sale by SMS to Adcuram last November, Austrian injection moulding machine builder Battenfeld Kunstoffmaschinen of Kottingbrunn has announced a multi-million Euro deal with German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim microParts to expand its production facilities. Battenfeld will ship 10 of its EM 110/120 Unilog B4 series of machines to Boehringer’s Dortmund facility.

Boehringer Ingelheim microParts is an autonomous entity in the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies. Since 2004, it has developed, manufactured and distributed microsystem technology products. The product range includes microstructured chips for medical diagnostics and analysis (bio chips, lab-on-a-chip systems) and microspectrometers.

Microsystem technology has boosted the performance of many appliances in medical technology. Microcomponents in microsensors, micropumps and microsurgical instruments have improved therapeutic options and the quality of life. The demand for smaller and smaller parts is growing. Such a demand almost automatically calls for injection moulding technology. By integrating microelectronics, micromechanics, microlenses and microfluidics, high-performance microsystems with a high degree of functionality are created that can perform many tasks more effectively and at lower cost than “large” products manufactured by conventional methods.

A Boehringer spokesman said: “In Battenfeld injection moulding technology, we have found a highly competent, innovative and reliable partner.” Battenfeld provides us with state-of-the-art machinery and handling equipment working with high precision and energy-efficiency. It has been a successful player in all facets of microsystem technology for many years. This includes microcomponents with part weights of only a few milligrams, as well as macroscopic parts with microscopic structures, or moulded parts with high-precision areas structured in micrometer dimensions.”
The EM 110/120 Unilog B4 injection moulding machines including complete automation and handling systems and peripheral equipment meets the stringent demands for the production of medical technology components. The machines are noted for their fully controlled digital servo drives and offer short injection cycles and low operating costs.

The clamping unit is equipped with a five-point twin-toggle mechanism which ensures reproducible force transmission via clamping force control. The injection unit is equipped with two synchronised motors for the injection stroke.
The machine’s pressure control, a vital element in process technology, has been optimised by means of direct pressure monitoring via a sensor in the feed section. A unique degree of repeatability has been achieved by the high rigidity of the machine hardware combined with the dynamics of the servo motors.

A fluid system with an electric drive ensures consistent, high contact pressure between the injection unit and the mould. Energy consumption has been minimised by very efficient servo motors with a high degree of efficiency.

Following last year’s sale of its PIM interests to Adcuram Industriekapital AG, German steel giant SMS GmbH has now sold its Battenfeld Extrusiontechnik and Cincinnati Extrusion groups to Triton, an independent European private equity investor. The seven companies covered by the agreement are located in Austria, Germany, the US and China. The deal is still subject to anti-trust clearance and is a consequence of the SMS strategy of focusing its core businesses of metallurgical machinery and plant production under the SMS metallurgy brand. Adcuram is a financial investor specialising in the acquisition of companies and subsidiaries that no longer belong to the core business of the previous parent company.