Application of Design of Experiments for high-accuracy plastic micro needle manufacturing

Alireza Mollaei Ardestani*, Max Babenko, Ben Whiteside, Matteo Calaon, Jesper H. Hattel, Murat Külahci, Guido Tosello

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This paper investigates how various process settings influence critical outcomes in the manufacturing of plastic micro needles. By improving the reliability and accuracy of micro needle fabrication, the work has implications for various fields, including biomedical devices, drug delivery systems, and microfluidics.

Investigating factors such as melt temperature, mold temperature, injection speed, packing pressure, and velocity-to-pressure (V/P) switchover point, will allow us to understand their impact on the key characteristics like the needle size, and the tip diameter of the needles.

Using Design of Experiments (DOE) and analyzing extensive data sets, we uncover insights into the complex relationship between process parameters and desired objectives. Our findings offer practical guidance for optimizing the manufacturing process to achieve higher quality and consistency in micro manufacturing, and specifically, in micro needle production.

Micro injection molding technology is very challenging in terms of tool and process set up. Also, with a very slight error in the process, there might be a need to unmount the tool and extensive cleaning which might take hours and reduces the process efficiency. So, the importance of having an optimized process condition becomes clear.

Overall, this research contributes to the ongoing efforts in precision engineering by offering practical solutions and insights for practitioners. In addition, highlights the importance of understanding and optimizing production settings in the manufacturing of plastic micro needles, with broader implications for precision engineering and related industries.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of ICPE2024: The 20th International Conference on Precision Engineering
Number of pages5
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Publication date2024
ISBN (Electronic)979-8-4007-0444-4
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Event15th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 7 May 202411 May 2024

Conference

Conference15th ACM/SPEC International Conference on Performance Engineering
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period07/05/202411/05/2024

Keywords

  • Micro-manufacturing
  • Design of experiments
  • Micro-injection molding

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