Engel develops Covid swabs production process

Schwertberg, Austria – Injection moulding machinery maker Engel Austria and German moulding specialist Hack Formenbau have joined hands to deliver an ‘integrated system’ for high-volume production of test swabs for Covid-19.

Designed by Hack Formenbau, the two-component swabs feature a thermoplastic handle and a head made of a thermoplastic elastomer to make the examination less uncomfortable for the patient, said an Engel press release 2 July.

The handle length as well as the shape, design and materials of the swab head can be adapted individually to suit customer requirements, said Gunnar Hack, CEO and owner of Hack Formenbau. 

Engel’s machinery, according to the company release, ensures efficiency through the integrated production process, which has been specifically adapted to the moulds developed by Hack.

With a 32-cavity mould and a cycle time of 6 to 8 seconds, processors can achieve an output of up to 320 test swabs per minute and 460,000 test swabs per day with a single production unit, the statement added.