Design and Validation of an Automated Drawing-Drying Process for the Production of Dissolvable Microneedles

In this study, we designed and developed an automated drawing-based drying process for the fabrication of dissolvable microneedles, and verified its performance through prototype implementation. The proposed process was specifically engineered to reduce the high defect rate commonly associated with the solidification of liquid raw materials in microneedle manufacturing. By leveraging the stress and cohesive properties of the raw materials, precise vertical tension between the upper and lower plates was applied to enable stable microneedle formation. Additionally, the process allows for precise control of drawing speed, enabling compatibility with a variety of raw materials and flexible design of microneedle shapes. To validate the proposed system, microneedles made from materials with different physical properties were fabricated and evaluated in terms of mechanical characteristics and production efficiency. The results confirmed that microneedles with a maximum diameter and height within 1 mm could be reliably produced, achieving a production rate of 144 units per hour. The proposed automated process demonstrates high precision, scalability, and material versatility, and is expected to be highly useful in the field of dissolvable microneedle manufacturing.