Injection Molding Data Monitoring Software Solution Developed

Deerfield, IL, Kinnelon, NJ, and Wilmington, MS -– Baxter Healthcare Corporation and Umetrics AB have co-developed a software platform for real-time parametric release of product from injection molding processes. The software solution has been tested during a pilot project at Baxter's Mountain Home, Arkansas facility and has shown a large benefit for detecting and diagnosing process upsets. A patent application has been filed and, beginning immediately, the companies will jointly market the software solution.

This solution was integrated for production using MKS Instruments RMU-SenseLink data acquisition and control platform. The system uses real-time variable information from the Injection Molding machine, passes it through a multivariate model, and is then able to make decisions on product quality. A closed loop control application is then invoked to send the product to one of two bins for acceptable or unacceptable product. Preliminary results show an increase of approximately nine percent in Cpk values for a number of product quality metrics.

"Umetrics is excited to offer this innovative solution to the injection molding industry," said Umetrics' CEO Lars Osterberg. "This is an important step for Umetrics as it adds another aspect to our pharmaceutical manufacturing software solutions."

"In the process of developing technologies for our medical devices, we identified a software solution that can be applied to other industries that use injection molding," said Mike Gatling, corporate vice president of Global Manufacturing Operations for Baxter. "This technique offers Baxter and other companies a revolutionary solution to injection molding quality improvements."

The solution takes advantage of the combination of Baxter's knowledge of injection molding combined with Umetrics' world-leading multivariate software and MKS Instruments' factory control experience.

SOURCE: Baxter Healthcare, Umetrics, and MKS Instruments