What is Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM)?
An Essential Instrument for Pharma, Polymer Science, and More
The VCM Platform is a compact, highly configurable instrument designed for safe and reliable use on any lab bench. It’s an innovative molding technique that produces high-quality, reproducible specimens within minutes, without tedious process development, extensive cleaning, or material waste.
Handle
Vacuum clamping valve
Water cooling
Cooling air valve
Moved manually after melting
Cooling air
Vacuum clamping valve
Vacuum valves VCM Tools
Heating Unit
Vacuum Unit
Cooling Unit
VCM Tool
(during solidifying)
VCM Tool
(during melting)
How Does VCM Work?
In A Few Simple Process Steps
Cool the VCM Tool by convection & conduction on the cooling unit, solidifying the specimen.
Use our online calculators to calculate the material you need for your specimen.
Mix your formulation to homogeneity using the MeltPrep Mixer for VCM.
Fill the desired amount of materials into your VCM Tool of choice.
Vacuum is applied, compacting the powder as well as preventing bubbles.
Attach and heat the VCM Tool on the heating unit so particles melt and fuse.
What Are the Innovations of VCM?
A Lined & Adaptable Specimen Chamber
The VCM chamber is fully PTFE-lined and adaptable in volume. The adaptable chamber follows the natural material behavior during specimen preparation. Density changes during compaction, melting, and solidifying are compensated and defined sample geometries are obtained.
The lined chamber simplifies specimen retrieval with easy to peal PTFE-lined separation foils. After foils are added again, the equipment is ready for the next preparation cycle. The foils can be reused multiple times, making the process even more cost-efficient.
How Much Material is Needed for VCM?
Only the Amount of Your Specimen
VCM is the first lossless approach to melt specimens into a defined geometry without air inclusions. With 1 gram of powder, you will obtain a cylindrical sample of 1 gram with a defined shape.
For various applications, 1 gram is already a very large quantity. That’s why we have downsized to smaller dimensions, enabling screening starting at just a few milligrams. Use our online calculators to calculate the amount of material you would need.
Who Uses VCM for Research?
Innovators.
Cambridge University, UK
Vacuum Compression Molding for Pharma
Lossless Formulation Screening on a Milligram Scale
VCM allows mg-to-g scale screening of new formulations or generics, supporting applications for hot melt extrusion, implant development, bioavailability enhancement, [AB2.1]and more. It transforms thermoplastic formulations into homogeneous specimens without altering the source materials’ characteristics due to degradation.
Why Use VCM in Formulation Development?
Prototype with Less API, Fewer Process Parameters, and Fast Iteration Cycles
Prototyping in the mg-Scale
Prepare lossless prototypes in of any desired shape using only a few milligrams of material. Smaller geometries require even less material, scaling down to the µg range with the smallest size (0.3 mm).
Formulations Without Process Development
Create formulations with minimal process parameters and without extensive process development. With temperature as the key parameter, samples can be produced in under 10 minutes.
Direct Use for Analysis
VCM geometries are designed to match measurement techniques, ensuring accurate and reproducible results.
Lossless with Minimal Cleaning
VCM enables lossless sample preparation with a dead zone-free chamber. The separation foils minimize cleaning time and prevent material from sticking to the tools.
VCM Pharma Pro: Built for Faster Formulating
Unlock the Power of a Single Researcher
VCM Pharma Pro combines all the essential tools, geometries, and workflow accessories for pharmaceutical formulation development in one ready-to-use solution.
It combines two VCM Disc Tools, two of each standard disc geometry, all lid types, consumables, the MeltPrep Mixer, and the MeltPrep Slider so researchers can alternate between preparation steps, compare sample formats, run repeat experiments, and move between pharmaceutical applications with fewer setup changes and less waiting between experiments.
Vacuum Compression Molding for Material Characterization
Research Tool for Homogenous and Defined Sample Preparation
Vacuum Compression Molding (VCM) enables the preparation of reproducible thermoplastic specimens in defined geometries for material characterization. The process transforms powders, granules, films, or other source materials into air-free specimens such as discs, bars, or dog bones.
Why Use VCM for Material Characterization?
Research Tool for Reliable Material Analysis
Preparation of Reproducible Specimens
Create homogeneous, reproducible specimens with defined process parameters and residence times. VCM enables fast specimen preparation while reducing variability between samples and preparation cycles.
Standard Geometries for Direct Analysis
Prepare defined specimen geometries designed for established analytical and mechanical testing methods. From discs to bars and dog bones, VCM samples can be used directly for characterization according to relevant testing requirements and industry standards.
Easy Handling with Minimal Cleaning
The VCM Platform is easy to use for any member of your team. The reduced need for cleaning means the platform is always ready for the next preparation cycle.
Custom Specimen Geometries for Material Characterization
Create Application-specific Shapes with Free-D Molding
Free-D Molding expands VCM beyond standard inserts, enabling researchers to prepare custom specimen shapes for specialized analytical methods, mechanical tests, and application-specific material characterization needs.