Overview
QIAGEN acquired the digital PCR technology including a prototype instrument from Formulatrix (Boston MA) with the intention to develop an instrument family containing the following configurations:
- Single plate instrument
- 4-plate instrument
- 8-plate instrument
QIAGEN selected Zollner Elektronik as the instrument development and manufacturing partner.
In parallel, QIAGEN asked Volpi to support both it and Zollner with the qualification, development and manufacturing of the imaging module for optimal optical performance on a very challenging timeline from project start to series manufacturing.
Approach
Volpi was charged with four tasks within the target timeline:
Assessment of current design
Our first task was to assess the acquired design to determine how close or how far away the existing design was for meeting Qiagen’s stated performance objectives.
Design optimization
Volpi determined that design iterations were required and produced two rounds of design enhancements of its own.
Prototyping
Following an exhaustive internal quality review of the design, Volpi then developed 100 prototype modules for rigorous evaluation by both Qiagen and Zollner.
Design Transfer and Manufacturing
Following prototype approval. Volpi then used its proven Design Transfer process to ensure that the optical modules could be manufactured at the highest performance at its targeted cost and within the required timeframe.
Results
In just 18 months Volpi turned an acquired optical technology design into the launch of a highly successful instrument, including:
- Series manufacturing of a 5-plex optical module for digital PCR
- The same module goes in all 3 instrument configurations
Volpi’s ability to take a technology we acquired and assess, design, prototype and manufacture an optical module that performs at the highest level across three of our instruments in so short a time was vital to the successful launch of the QIAcuity line.
Thierry Bernard, Qiagen CEO