Smart Molding International 1-2021

machinery 19 www.smart-molding.com continue in the coming decades, laying the bedrock for the ensuing panel dis - cussion. In this context, Prof. Ute Schäfer (University of Graz), Dr Andreas Herold (B. Braun), Niklas Kuczaty (VDMAWork - ing GroupMedical Technology) and Ger - hard Böhm (Arburg) discussed the topic of "Medical technology – challenges and prospects for 2050". Everyone agreed that, by 2050, technology-driven com - panies would have a clear advantage. By then of course, many products would no longer come from factories but would instead be manufactured individually and close to the patient, e.g. directly in the hospital or even in the operating theatre. Nonetheless, quality would remain Job One. "We perceive a mega - trend in the field of Additive Manufac - turing and also a rise in the significance of digitalisation and sustainability", acknowledged Gerhard Böhm. "These are all topics that we are also intensively preoccupied with. Arburg is therefore very well prepared for a future in which plastic will remain a valuable material that is important to life." Twelve informative lectures – something for everyone Earlier in the summit, four concurrent panel sessions were held, each con - taining three lectures on "Solutions", "Innovations" and "Visions" – there re - ally was something for everyone. The topics ranged from concepts for the production of LSR injection moulded parts and microfluidic systems to the challenges faced by the healthcare in - dustry, details of the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and digital methods for integrated parts documentation, as well as application examples of inno - vative high-performance tools and the additive manufacturing of customised implants. Many participants used this opportunity to ask their questions dur - ing the event using the chat feature. Three interactive live discussions and presentations TheArburg Summit:Medical 2020was rounded off with three "Live Breakout Boxes". Here, topics such as cleanroom, LSR processing and additive production could be discussed, with two Arburg experts in attendance for each topic. In addition, they were accompanied to the exhibits by camera teams to present the applications live. Things to see included the production of LSRmasks on an elec - tric Allrounder 570 A. At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Arburg and its partners got this project off the ground in recordtime anddeveloped the face coverings themselves. A stainless steel version of the electric Allrounder 370Awas used to showhowclean-room technology canmanufacturemass prod - ucts such as needle holders for insulin pens. And lastly, a Freeformer 300-3X was used to demonstrate the additive manufacturing of resorbable implants. Anyone wishing to know more was also able to make an appointment over the following days with one of the experts in the Online Meeting Lounge. Positive feedback all round "Prestigious speakers from science and industry, as well as our own medi - cal technology field and application experts didn't just present trends and innovations," said Gerhard Böhm, re - viewing the virtual event. "They also answered exciting questing in live- stream sessions and, by ensuring that the Arburg Summit: Medical 2020 was a highly topical event, very successfully created a 'tangible' experience." Juliane Hehl, Managing Partner and responsible for Marketing, was also extremely impressed by the Arburg Summit: Medical. "We successfully ventured into new territory here. We weren't interested in putting on fairly well-organised alternative for a can - celled trade fair – people are already finding that increasingly boring," said the Managing Partner. "And this bore - dom factor will grow rapidly in future. But in contrast to that, we will be fo - cusing consistently on added value for our customers. And we shall certainly continue down this path with some interesting formats." Arburg www.arburg.com “Live Breakout Box” cleanroom: Arburg expert Sven Kitzlinger, Senior Application Manager Medical, answered questions from the participants about cleanroom technology and presented interesting features directly beside the injection moulding machine that was producing needle holders for insulin pens in a live demonstration “Live Breakout Box” Freeformer: Martin Neff head of the Arburg Plastic Freeforming department, presented many practical examples directly at the Arburg Prototyping Center (All photos: Arburg)