Screw drives are indispensable in life science applications

(See Moore International at MachineBuilding.Live, 2 October 2024, on stand 105)

Moore International, based in Poole, has a high presence in the laboratory automation sector. Moore's partner, Eichenberger, develops, designs and manufactures the ultra-small, high-precision ballscrews and leadscrews required for the sensitive and demanding applications of the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical technology industries.

Spindles are often used for pipetting and dosing. These are already indispensable in high-tech equipment such as bioreactors, dialysis and analysis devices or in nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance tomography equipment. In addition, they are also being used in the production of vaccines.

Maximum performance

Designers are regularly faced with determining the appropriate drive technology needed to execute linear motions. Often, precise positioning and high frequency or highly dynamic oscillating movements have to be managed in continuous operation. Safety and reliability are the central issues. Often, minimal installation space with high loads presents a challenge. Maintenance and service life together with costs also play an important role. Both the demands on mechanical drive elements and the specifications in the respective application fields are steadily rising.

Ballscrew and leadscrew drives are among the most frequently used drive systems in many industries. The advantages of these drives lie in the high performance and energy efficiency. The Eichenberger screw technology, namely thread rolling (cold forming of the lateral surface of round parts), combines the highest load capacity and force density with outstanding dynamics and precision at maximum operating performance.

Screw drives are actually a simple design element. However, if the drive component meets the highest quality and dimensional specifications, extraordinary application possibilities are opened up, for example in the production of vaccines.

Cell cultivation made possible by ballscrews

When cultivating cells, bacteria or viruses, tissue cultures are set up in sterile containers, typically in a climatised, aseptic room. These preparations are frequently placed on a rocker table, which gently tilts to mix the cultures and facilitate growth. Our electrically driven, cold-rolled Carry ballscrews convert the rotary motion of the small motors into linear motion. Perfect movement implies perfect dynamics. Filigree ballscrews perform this subtle movement in the smallest of spaces, rapidly and highly precisely - combined with an almost unlimited service life.

The cells periodically need a nutrient solution to keep them alive, and samples also may be needed at intervals. In a nutshell, this is how it works: A tube connects the nutrient solution with the cell culture container and the "meal" is pumped in. However, the process is not as simple as that - because of sterility, not the fluid transfer. Contamination on even a molecular level would be enough to destroy a cell culture.

Cross-contamination in cultivation is often underestimated. A portable, programmable tubing connector enables the fully automatic and fast connection of thermoplastic tubing through a sterile welding process. The "Carry ZYI " ballscrews fulfil all the requirements enabling this exceptional welding machine to be entirely reliable, delivering exceptional efficiency and high-precision movements.

First, a 10 x 2 mm, 75 mm long Carry screw drive cuts the tubes with a vertical cut, leaving the heated disposable knife at the bottom. This is followed by a 10 x 2 mm, 69 mm long Carry screw drive moving the two dies horizontally along the hot knife. In this way, each end of the tubing is precisely aligned with the other. Once the tubes are aligned, the knife rises to the top, both lines are then pressed together to complete a tight weld. The nutrient solution can now be pumped in.

A tolerance of one hundredth of a millimetre for the vertical stroke of the knife and the horizontal sliding of the hoses guarantees a consistent process over a long period of time. The Carry ZYI ballscrew masters this challenge. This type of sterile hose connection is compatible with the cleanroom process with respect to the degree of cleanliness.

Development, production and quality management are seamlessly integrated at Eichenberger. As a result, it is possible to realise even the most unconventional solutions flexibly for you - competitively and with a short time-to-market.