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The overall objective of the POLYTUBES project is to develop
a process chain and corresponding micro-manufacturing platform for the
manufacture of polymer-micro-tubes and tubular micro-components for medical and
non-medical applications.
The proposed development aims to create new markets for EU
SMEs with innovative and economically competitive micro-products and
micro-manufacturing equipment to meet the needs for a wide range of emerging
applications. The development will also support the SMEs to increase business
opportunities with new volume production capabilities in micro-manufacturing.
The proposed development could place EU in a pole position in
the manufacture and innovative applications of micro-tubular products.
The specific S&T objectives (SO) are:
SO1. To implement a Design for Manufacturing Methodology for
design and manufacture of polymer-micro-tubes and tubular micro-components for
volume production (from hundreds microns overall sizes to 2-3 microns inner
channels), and to validate the methodology and the prototype-products by the
end-users.
SO2. To transfer laboratory processes and equipment
(polymer-micro-tube extrusion, micro-tube-shaping and laser processing) to
volume production of tubular micro-components.
SO3. To integrate the individual equipments into a process
chain and implement it in a manufacturing platform, by adapting a Process
Transfer Strategy (Maturity Model), which integrates the business cases into the
process chain, together with advanced IT integration and logistics integration.
SO4. To demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of
the volume production on a full industrial scale by manufacturing prototype
products which meet all functional requirements for applications (both medical
and non-medical sectors).
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