Smart Molding International 2-2021

machinery 30 smart_molding international 2/2021 S ilicone is the ideal material for oral hygiene applications. It is flexible, free of plasticizers, bio - compatible and rugged. Liquid sili - cone rubber (LSR) makes it possible to map structures that are fine enough to penetrate even the tightest spaces, while also being soft and thus gentler on the gums than the bristles of small brushes. TePe, a Swedish family-owned com - pany, makes use of these features for its product known as EasyPick, the in - novative 21st century toothpick. TePe has been specialized in the field of oral health since its founding in 1965 and currently ships its products to over 60 countries. The core competencies of design, development and production (including 50 injection molding ma - chines) are located entirely in Malmö. This gives the company control over the entire value chain. Including its seven international subsidiaries, TePe has 370 employees and its annual earnings are approximately 80 million euros. Challenging two-component part made of PBT and LSR TePe has been taking advantage of KraussMaffei's silicone expertise for the EasyPick since 2015. The two-com - ponent part consists of a white base body made of PBT (weight: 15 grams) with a conical tip overmolded with just under four grams of colored silicon. Or - ange indicates size S and blue indicates size M. EasyPicks always come in sets of six, connected via thin break-off points. This makes it easy to detach one for use. The manufacturing itself uses the transfer method: The lower, cooled mold-half includes the thermoplastic component. After the mold opens, an LRX linear robot removes these molded articles and places them in the (hot) silicone half. In this process, the thin PBT pins are centered, but free in the cavity, allowing them to be encapsulated uniformly from all sides – at wall thicknesses of just 200 µm, manufacturing with maximum preci - sion is essential. The silicone that is used is a self-adhesive formulation suitable for food contact and with reduced volatile silicone content. In addition, the material is mechanically anchored – after all, the two compo - nents of the EasyPick have to stay firmly bonded together, even during vigorous use. Customized system solution from a single source KraussMaffei provided the com - plete production systems, including the SilcoSet equipment, automation, mixing and metering unit and pack - aging line. TePe's Product Developer Alexander Dingizian recalls the project start well, saying: "The machine set- up was correct from the beginning, and we could get our production up and running quickly. We were par - ticularly impressed by the startup of the LSR components. After just three shots in semi-automatic mode, we were able to launch fully automated production." For the CXL 160 machines used, the all-electric second unit is attached on EasyPick, the smart toothpick That delicious salami becomes annoying when a piece gets stuck between your teeth. But even if you don't feel anything there, you should be cleaning between your teeth to prevent tooth decay. But what should you use? Wood toothpicks are hard, thick and prone to breaking. Dental floss is thin and flexible, but inconvenient to use. The EasyPick from TePe combines the advantages of each method. It is produced on a CXL 160 SilcoSet from KraussMaffei. Photos: KraussMaffei, TePe