Especially with insulin pens, where any deviation in dosage can have serious consequences, the virtual world provides a platform where we can run through different scenarios and optimize product properties before moving into the expensive and time-consuming physical prototype development. A core aspect of virtual product development is the ability to test the limits of a product without consuming physical resources. In the real world, creating boundary patterns to test a product’s performance under extreme conditions can be time-consuming and costly. Virtual models allow us to explore these limits in a few clicks, resulting in significant resource savings. The accuracy of the simulation depends on the quality and completeness of the underlying data. Any change in the manufacturing process or material can affect the simulation results and requires constant review and adjustment of the model. The decision whether to use virtual product development depends heavily on the life cycle of the product and the associated costs. For a new product where high costs for physical testing are expected, investing in virtual verification can result in significant savings. For a product at the end of its life cycle, however, this effort could be disproportionate.
I support our team and our customers in finding the right balance between virtual and physical product development. We guide them through the entire process, from conception to simulation and verification, to ensure that the solutions developed are not only technically feasible, but also economically viable.
Finally, I would like to emphasize that virtual product development is a powerful tool that, if used correctly, can revolutionize medical device development. It allows us to innovate faster and more cost-effectively, while ensuring the safety and reliability of our products. The challenge is to find the right mix of virtual and real tests to get the best possible results.
