Hekuma’s New Injection‑Molding Automation Enhances Medical Pipette Tip Production

The newest generation of Hekuma GmbH’s automated demolding and packing system for medical pipette tips will be unveiled at the K 2019 Show. The new Hekutip system outperforms earlier versions with a cutting‑edge gripper for the linear robot that can pick up tips in under 0.6 s for 16 to 128 cavities. Overall cycle times of 4–4.5 s are achievable.

Parallel servo‑driven handling axes provide ultra‑precise, repeatable positioning, allowing operators to switch formats quickly from the terminal. On‑the‑fly camera inspection delivers 100 % quality assurance, checking for presence, I.D./O.D., burrs, spray skin, edge ejection, and more. Inspecting 24 tips takes only 1.25 s. Reject parts are removed automatically and replaced with proven good units, enabling the system to absorb a reject rate of up to 8 % without impacting cycle time, according to Hekuma.

Racks are inspected for completeness and presence. Users can choose mixed or cavity‑separated fills for maximum traceability. The modular design supports 100 % camera inspection or random control, optional labeling or marking of racks, and a range of packaging options—stacking, lidding, banding, shrink‑wrapping. Additional modules can add filter separation, feeding, filter assembly, and batch tracking.

A 64‑cavity Hekutip configuration will be demonstrated at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag’s booth.