MPMN: March 1997
INDUSTRY NEWS
Standard Test Methods for Sterile Medical Packaging Established
Designed to eliminate confusion
The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) has developed standard test methods for both converters and medical device manufacturers to determine whether a sterile medical device package meets requirements for packaging quality. FPA's Sterilization Packaging Manufacturers Council (SPMC) designed the tests to eliminate the confusion created when converters and their customers use incompatible methods.
"These methods will be extremely useful to coordinate testing and consistency of results obtained by packaging manufacturers and medical device manufacturers," notes Bill Daly, president of Beacon Converters Inc., and chairman of SPMC.
The first edition of the standards details the proper methodology for testing the average peel strength of flexible barrier materials, determining whether a package's seals and materials can handle different pressures by using burst tests and creep tests, checking seal integrity by using the dye-penetration method, detecting leaks in heat-seal packages by using an internal-pressurization method, testing the maximum seal strength of flexible barrier materials, and determining the porosity of flexible packaging materials by using the Gurley densometer method.
For a copy of the current edition, contact FPA at 202/842-3880.
Molded Rubber & Plastic Corp. Expands
Acquires 10,000-sq-ft building
Molded Rubber & Plastic Corp. has expanded its manufacturing operation with a land aquisition and new equipment. The company produces custom-molded rigid and flexible thermoplastic and thermoset rubber components.
The acquisition includes a 10,000-sq-ft building that houses additional office space and unspecified manufacturing. The company also plans to expand the plastic division with a four-year plan to upgrade its injection molding equipment.
In addition to installing additional equipment, the company has expanded into liquid-injection molding of silicone resins. According to the company's president, Thomas Brunner, this area of interest has been fueled in part by the rising demand in the medical equipment and device markets.
For more information, contact Molded Rubber & Plastic Corp. at 414/781-7122.
View Engineering Gets New Name
Specializes in noncontact measurement and inspection systems
View Engineering has announced that, following its recent acquisition by General Scanning Inc., the company will be known as General Scanning Inc., View Engineering Division.
View Engineering specializes in laser- and vision-based noncontact measurement and inspection systems.
Although its Simi Valley, California, address will remain the same, the Michigan office has moved to a new location: 4420 Varsity Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48108; phone: 313/677-8439.
Inchcape and DEKRA Form Joint Venture
Will offer testing and certification services
Inchcape Testing Services has formed a joint venture with DEKRA AG to offer testing and certification services to companies that wish to market domestically manufactured or imported products in Germany. The venture, named DEKRA Certification Services, is located in Stuttgart, Germany, and is accredited to provide the GS mark for product safety for a wide range of products.
The GS mark has a brand recognition of over 85%. GS-mark testing may also be used for CE marking, which is required by law on products sold in the European Union.
For more information, contact Inchcape at 508/689-9353.
Plynetics Express to Acquire Laserform
Will take over 35,000-sq-ft rapid prototyping facility
Plynetics Express (San Leandro, CA) has announced that it will buy Laserform Inc. (Auburn Hills, MI). Laserform specilizes in rapid prototyping and rapid tooling services and has capabilities in large-part urethane casting and composite tooling for injection molding. As part of Plynetics Express, Laserform will continue to provide these services.
The acquisition of Laserform will allow Plynetics Express to take advantage of Laserform's 35,000-sq-ft rapid prototyping facility. Plynetics Express now operates 26 rapid prototyping systems. Plans for the Auburn Hills site include expanding Laserform's rapid prototyping capabilties, adding CNC part and toolmaking capabilities, increasing employment, and implementing the project management systems currently in place at Plynetics Express's other sites.
For more information, contact Plynetics Express at 510/613-8300.
