DITF Relies on Trotec Laser to Meet High Quality Standards.
German Institute of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF)
The DITF in Denkendorf is the largest textile research center in Europe, with more than 300 scientific and technical staff. Since 1921, DITF has been the only one to cover the entire textile production and value chain on an area of over 25,000 m². Application-oriented research is close to practice and is conducted across the entire textile production chain. Product- and technology-oriented innovations are intended to contribute to the competitiveness and location security of the German and European economy.
Research on "personalized medicine"
Among other things, DITF develops textiles and textile-based products for medical technology. Research starts with the raw material and accompanies all innovation steps up to the serial production of the product. Another focus is the development of novel biomaterials made of polymers, which are also combined with ceramic materials depending on the requirements. The starting materials are processed into resorbable or biostable implants and into carrier materials for cell colonization in regenerative medicine. The developments by DITF in these fields support the paradigm shift towards "personalized medicine."
Wide range of product developments
The range of products already developed in this field is extensive and includes implants, cell carriers for regenerative medicine, biohybrid organs, quick-acting closures for blood vessels and nerve guide rails made of biopolymers, ceramic fibers for bone replacement, hospital and surgical textiles, and much more.
How to achieve top quality cutting results.
In the medical environment, demand for quality is high. Therefore, DITF was looking for a technology that would achieve the best cutting results on materials such as biopolymers, while also meeting cleanroom conditions, without the need for reworking. Until the investment in laser technology, most of these 0.1 to 0.5 mm thick medical films were punched. However, this process resulted in an impression on the top side and a through-print on the bottom side.
Speedy 100 - the perfect solution for the cleanroom.
Initial tests on the Speedy 100 confirmed the assumption that laser technology is the optimum solution for this application. The non-contact process of laser cutting protects the material so that no reworking is required. The laser can be used in the cleanroom because, on the one hand, it is small, handy and mobile, and on the other hand, it also meets all the hygienic requirements for the clean room. From prototypes to small series, the Speedy 100 is now used to cut biomaterials for implants, which are used for bone or groin fractures, prostheses, but also cosmetic operations, e.g. in the facial area (under the skin), and which automatically biodegrade during the healing process.