Trade fair highlight 28. August 2026
Look at that! Eye funnel made from three materials
It combines the best of three material worlds: the optical lens made of sapphire glass, a robust thread made of stainless steel and plastic (POM), which connects everything with its geometric flexibility – form-fitting and without the bonding that has been the standard till now.
To achieve this, the glass lens (diameter 8 mm, thickness 1.8 mm) and the threaded
insert are inserted into the injection molding tool fully automatically and precisely in series. The lens must be positioned
absolutely flat so that there is no optical distortion when the eye funnel is used. Both inserts need to withstand the injection molding process on a machine with a clamping force of 500 kN without changing their spatial position and without damage.
When designing the process, particular attention had to be paid to the shrinkage of the plastic in order to achieve a secure connection without exerting excessive pressure on the glass. The injection molding tool is designed in such a way that threaded inserts of different dimensions can be used without modification. The eye funnel is used in optical instruments for laboratories and medical applications and can withstand steam sterilization in an autoclave.
To achieve this, the glass lens (diameter 8 mm, thickness 1.8 mm) and the threaded
insert are inserted into the injection molding tool fully automatically and precisely in series. The lens must be positioned
absolutely flat so that there is no optical distortion when the eye funnel is used. Both inserts need to withstand the injection molding process on a machine with a clamping force of 500 kN without changing their spatial position and without damage.
When designing the process, particular attention had to be paid to the shrinkage of the plastic in order to achieve a secure connection without exerting excessive pressure on the glass. The injection molding tool is designed in such a way that threaded inserts of different dimensions can be used without modification. The eye funnel is used in optical instruments for laboratories and medical applications and can withstand steam sterilization in an autoclave.
Kunststoff Helmbrechts AG
Contact
Ms. Sabine Kob