Thermo Fisher Scientific has celebrated 20 years of high precision plastic injection moulding at its centre of excellence for plastics and toolmaking in Ashford, Kent, UK, where ABgene PCR plates and tubes are manufactured.
The precision-engineered plastics range, which has been developed and produced in Ashford since 1990, came under the Thermo Fisher umbrella nearly three years ago.
Manufacturing expertise at the plant has enabled the company to introduce many important design features to PCR plates over the past two decades, including thin-walled wells that allow rapid and uniform heat transfer for reduced cycle times and improved sensitivity.
Other innovations include optically clear wells with an exceptionally smooth surface to prevent binding of enzymes, primers and templates, and raised well rims, which ensure a good seal and protect samples from cross-contamination.
There is a state-of-the-art ISO class 8 (100,000) injection moulding cleanroom at the site to ensure that quality remains the best in the industry. Plates are sampled every hour for detailed physical and biological inspection.
The close relationship between r&d, manufacturing and toolmaking at Thermo Fisher Scientific has enabled the company to bring new plastic products to market rapidly and consistently.