Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM) and Analysis Tools for Low-Loss Sample Preparation of Thermoplastic Materials
MeltPrep GmbH
Graz, Austria · Setauket - East Setauket, NY, USANew on Amplifa
About MeltPrep
MeltPrep GmbH is a spin-off of Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH (RCPE) based in Graz, Austria. The company develops and markets processes and equipment for sample preparation of thermoplastics, especially the proprietary Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM) process, which generates high-quality samples from powders and formulations—even at milligram quantities—with low thermal degradation and high reproducibility. The portfolio includes the VCM Platform, the visual thermal screening device Slider (temperature range 50 °C to 300 °C), Free-D Molding, the RTD measurement system ExtruVis, and Filament Molding for filament production. Additionally, MeltPrep offers formulation screening for Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME), amorphous solid dispersions (ASD), and 3D-printed dosage molds, along with consultation and custom solutions. Customers primarily come from the pharmaceutical and material science industries; the company is also represented in the USA through its subsidiary MeltPrep Inc.
- Site
- Graz
- Processes
- Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) Screening, Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM), Thermal Analysis / Visual Thermal Screening (MeltPrep Slider, 50°C to 300°C), Residence Time Distribution (RTD) Measurement and Analysis (ExtruVis), Free-D Molding, Filament Molding / Filament Production, Formulation Development / Formulation Screening (HME, 3D Printing, ASDs), Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM) Sample Preparation
- Materials
- Thermoplastics (general), Indomethacin (IND, model drug substance), Affinisol HPMC (HME 15 LV), Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM), Hot-Melt Extrusion Screening, Thermal Screening (Slider), RTD Measurement (ExtruVis)
- Founded
- 2016
- Industries
- Pharmaceutical, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, 3D Printing of Dosage Molds, Amorphous Solid Dispersions (ASD)
- 01
Formulation Screening
- 02
Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM)
- 03
Thermal Screening (Slider)
- 04
RTD Measurement (ExtruVis)
- 05
Filament Molding
- 06
Consulting / Custom Solutions
Materials & Processes
Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM)
Low-loss molding of powders and formulations into samples from milligram quantities with low degradation.
Hot-Melt Extrusion Screening
Screening of carrier polymers and formulations for hot-melt extrusion, e.g., amorphous solid dispersions.
Thermal Screening (Slider)
Visual thermal screening of thermoplastics and foam pellets in the temperature range 50 °C to 300 °C.
RTD Measurement (ExtruVis)
Measurement and analysis of the Residence Time Distribution for extrusion processes.
Free-D Molding
Molding of thermoplastics for applications such as implant development.
Filament Molding
Production of filaments from thermoplastics, e.g., for 3D printing of dosage molds.
Sites
Graz
ATHeadquarters
- Part weight / size
- Milligram-range (Samples)
- Lot size
- Prototype / Small Batch (Samples)
- Materials
- Thermoplastics, pharmaceutical polymers
- VCM Platform
- Slider (50–300 °C)
- ExtruVis
Setauket - East Setauket, NY
USSubsidiary (MeltPrep Inc.)
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) ScreeningPlastic | – | – | Milligram-range (Samples from only | – | Thermoplastics, Pharmaceutical polymeric formulations (Polymers, |
| Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM)Plastic | – | – | Milligram-range | – | Thermoplastics, Powders/Formulations, Pharmaceutical Polymers |
| Thermal Analysis / Visual Thermal Screening (MeltPrep Slider, 50°C to 300°C)Test | – | – | – | – | Thermoplastics, Foam Pellets |
| Residence Time Distribution (RTD) Measurement and Analysis (ExtruVis)Test | – | – | – | – | – |
| Free-D MoldingPlastic | – | – | – | – | Thermoplastics |
| Filament Molding / Filament ProductionPlastic | – | – | – | – | Thermoplastics |
| Formulation Development / Formulation Screening (HME, 3D Printing, ASDs)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Thermoplastics, Pharmaceutical Polymers |
4 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCM Tool / Vacuum Compression Mold Tool (VCM Platform) | MeltPrep VCM | – | – | – | Graz, Austria |
| Visual Thermal Screening Device (Temperature Gradient 50°C–300°C) | MeltPrep Slider | – | Temperature range 50°C to 300°C | – | – |
| RTD Measurement System / Analysis Software | MeltPrep ExtruVis | – | – | – | – |
| Extruder (Pharma 11-mm Extrusion, Screw Configuration) | Thermo Fisher Scientific Pharma 11 | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
History
- 2014
Development of the Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM) process by Daniel Treffer during his dissertation at TU Graz
- 2016
Spin-off of MeltPrep GmbH from Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH (RCPE) in Graz in January 2016; supported by Science Park Graz