Health. Worldwide. Polynet: Q-FLO Medical Plug Connector is Created on ALLROUNDERs
If you want to be a player in the global medical technology market, you have to be at the top of your game. POLYNET from Thailand is one of these “global players”. Proof positive of this: a closed transfer system for oncological drugs called Q-FLO, which is used worldwide and has been patented several times. Developed in San Diego, California by I3 Infusion Innovations, Inc. and manufactured in Thailand with ALLROUNDERs. Globalisation at its best.
The easy-to-use Q-FLO plug connection comes into play when special medications are being prepared and dispensed, for example in chemotherapy. It prevents even a single droplet from being lost and possibly impairing the effect of the medication when ampoules and containers with medication doses are connected to bags, syringes, and tubes, for example. Secured by a clear acoustic and also visual signal, Q-FLO protects both patients and medical staff. This makes it impossible for potentially toxic vapours to escape, for example when radiopharmaceuticals are used to fight cancer.
Quality in the Millions
For Polynet CEO Khun Kanchana Laowrattana, there was no doubt that the ALLROUNDERs alone would be used to produce the plug connections: “Quality and quantities of initial around 1.2 million per year are extremely important for Q-FLO in particular because the product is also used in the administration of special oncological drugs.”
Electric and hydraulic ALLROUNDERs equipped for liquid silicone (LSR) processing are used in Q-FLO production. The machines are in permanent operation for 22 hours a day. and are valued above all for their high repetition accuracy, precision and performance. “ARBURG is simply a pioneer in the industry and has the most experience in silicone processing, not to mention support and service,” says Khun Srichai Laowrattana, who works alongside his wife in the company as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), about the reliable ALLROUNDERs technology.
Complete Production in the Clean Room
The product, which is also fully compliant with the United States Food and Drug Administration’s USP 797 and USP 800 standards, consists of five plastic parts assembled together with two silicone parts. It is produced in 4-cavity moulds in a cycle time of 45 seconds including the demoulding of the threaded parts. The individual articles are automatically removed from the moulds and transferred using systems developed in-house. The individual parts are all moulded on ALLROUNDERs and then assembled in the same clean room. Subsequently, the assembled products are tested for leaks. Polycarbonate, co-polyester and liquid silicone are processed for production.
Polynet has now been working with ARBURG for eight years and is more than satisfied. The Thai company particularly likes the fact that the injection moulding technology is constantly being further developed. “Whenever we have questions, we always get knowledgeable and expert answers from ARBURG. The use of ARBURG technology has simply made many of our sequences much more efficient,” says the Polynet Managing Director by way of praise.
Polynet is already very well positioned in the region as well as in the USA. But the company is also looking to increase its presence in Japan, Australia and Europe. The further development of the Q-FLO plug connector could be helpful in this respect, as Polynet will also manufacture the successor model Q-LOC.
