As Euroform almost exclusively manufactures one-offs, pallet handling such as the PH Cell 2000 is the optimal solution. Operators set up jobs offline on several pallets using a zero-point clamping system while machining is in progress on another mould, so production downtime is minimal, even at night.

SHL, the world's largest privately owned designer and manufacturer of advanced drug delivery devices, has just opened a new design and assembly center in the United States. Rapidly growing SHL is based in Sweden and operates six production plants in Taiwan.

When Euroform ordered the new DMU 100 P duoBLOCK, DMG MORI already had a large pallet handling system in development, based on the smaller, proven, modular PH Cell 300. The bigger capacity automation system handles pallets measuring up to 1,100 mm in diameter, so is able to deploy Euroform's 1,000 × 800 mm pallets. The PH Cell 2000 has twelve pallet positions on two levels and can accept workpieces up to 1,350 mm tall. (Other variants are available with three or four racks housing up to 17 or 21 pallets respectively.)

already set up," SHL Marketing Director Steven R. Kaufman told PlasticsToday. "Engineers from SHL Sweden and SHL Taiwan work with our engineering staff located in the USA  facility to provide services for some of the world's largest biopharmaceutical companies."

Five-axis simultaneous machining of workpieces up to 1,100 mm in diameter by 1,600 mm and weighing 2,200 kg had already been carried out on a DMU 100 P duoBLOCK in the factory. Euroform's experience with the machining centre was consistently good, leading to the purchase in 2022 of a latest-generation model with a 1,000 × 1,250 × 1,000 mm working envelope.

"Customers need to get their drug to market as quickly as possible and Molly provides that exact opportunity thanks to our new business model," says Lucio Giambattista, executive vice president of the SHL Group.

One of the company's newer products is its first "pre-configured" auto injector.  Called "Molly", the device features a compact design, simplified two-step operation and a permanently hidden needle.

Each molding machine is connected to a fully computerized raw material handling system supplied by Motan, allowing all plastic materials to be automatically dried and vacuum fed to the respective hopper of each molding machine.

SHL uses a fully integrated, completely computerized proprietary molding system to provide process control. SHL was established in 1989 by Swedish entrepreneurs Roger Samuelsson and Martin Jelf as a privately held company. Its first auto-injector, the PenInject 2.25, was developed for Pfizer.

"Demand for auto injectors continues to rise as the number of biologics coming to market steadily increases," says Frank Isaksson, SHL general manager for Taiwan.  "With continued expansion in Taiwan, our new facility

The DMU 100 P duoBLOCK 5-axis machining centre with PH Cell 2000 pallet storage and handling system on the shop floor at Euroform, Budapest.

other manufacturers. Clamp force ranges from 40-420 tonnes. All machines are equipped with 6-axis or linear robots. Hydraulic, hybrid, fully electric and dual injection molding machines using both turntable and indexing technology are used.

SHL, the world's largest privately owned designer and manufacturer of advanced drug delivery devices, has just opened a new design and assembly center in the United States. Rapidly growing SHL is based in Sweden and operates six production plants in Taiwan.

Stefan Wolf, Euroform's managing partner said: "We play a pivotal role in automotive supply chains and our work begins in the early development phase of a new vehicle. Technical competence is crucial for exploiting the potential of innovative manufacturing solutions and CADCAM systems."

"The recent Corona pandemic, the war in Ukraine and high inflation have clearly shown us that we need to develop constantly in order to remain competitive.

Wolf concluded: "Automated manufacturing and digital processes are essential, given the current challenges in the global marketplace.

Most of the equipment at the site has been designed and made by SHL in cooperation with leading European equipment suppliers.  For example, SHL's latest semi-automatic to fully automatic linear final assembly equipment is now on site with more to come.

in the USA and future expansion in Europe we will have the depth of capabilities and resources needed to maintain our leadership position in the auto injector market, including production of other drug delivery devices such as pen injectors and inhalers systems."

The firm currently uses eight machining centres from DMG MORI for tool production, including DMU monoBLOCKs, an HSC 75 linear and, most recently, a DMU 100 P duoBLOCK with PH Cell 2000 automation system for pallet handling to allow unattended production at night and during the weekends.

An all-electric Engel e-motion 80H/80W/200 T WP US combi will be producing components for SHL auto-injectors in a two-component injection molding process with a servo-electrical 16+16-cavity index platen mold as part of its exhibit at NPE 2012 in Orlando, FL April 1-5.

Based in the Hungarian capital Budapest, Euroform was established in 1993 to provide a tool and mould making service from design to production and trialling. Approximately 70 employees fulfil innovative solutions for a range of different injection moulding processes, mainly for customers in the automotive industry.

Sweden and the U.S. are the two primary design sites for SHL. The Florida assembly plant provides access to customers in North America and also provides greater vertical integration. "We can now be truly a one-stop shop for customers wanting to bring a combination product to market," says Kaufman.

Another focus that accompanies business development at Euroform is digitalisation. The company has had a paperless working environment for many years, from design through to quality control. The mould maker is an enthusiastic adopter of the digital 'my DMG MORI' app when it comes to online service requests, which Zwick said significantly accelerates the process of calling in a service technician.

CNC, molding, and automation-related production were added to the facility. In particular, this facility will house extensive CNC lines to support production of automated testing and assembly equipment for medical devices.  In addition, these CNC lines will be used to support a growing need for precision machined components and modules.

Euroform has been using machine tools from DMG MORI since 1995, latterly in a modern factory that it moved into in 2011 and expanded in 2016. Managing Director responsible for day-to-day business at Euroform, Krisztina Zwick, mentioned the supplier's broad machine portfolio and good service: "DMG MORI was one of the first machine tool manufacturers to open a subsidiary in Hungary, which meant that response times were always quick when service was required. Our latest investment in automation was necessary to utilise the machine during unattended shifts, giving us a competitive edge.”

"With targeted investment in technology and the training and further education of junior staff, we will continue to successfully meet these challenges.”

Last year SHL announced an expansion of its Nan Kan 6 facility located in northern Taiwan to ensure that adequate production capacity can be maintained. Security of supply chain has been a critical issue in Asia in the past two years because of various natural events ranging from flooding to earthquakes and tsunamis.

SHL currently has six production facilities in Taiwan related to SHL Medical and plans to acquire space at two of its larger facilities as needed.  The company employs more than 1,600 globally, with more than 1,000 in Taiwan.