| MedPlast Inc.
Press Release |  |
Elkhorn Wisconsin Plant Next ATP Facility To Expand Medical Device Production Capabilities
Wayne (Philadelphia), PA—ATP's Engineered Rubber and Plastic Group announces that its Elkhorn, WI, facility is developing advanced technology to further penetrate the medical device manufacturing market. ATP Elkhorn specializes in rubber molding, including a full range of silicone and organic polymers. Capabilities also include rubber over-molding of plastic and metal components.
ATP Elkhorn has long served the medical device market through its engineering expertise, including design capabilities, R&D and rapid prototyping; in addition to its controlled molding environments. The company maintains ISO standards for "clean room" production; operating an FDA compliant Class 10,000 clean room for long- and short-term implantable devices together with medical "white" rooms. ATP Elkhorn also employs two six sigma Black Belts, one Master Black Belt, and is currently training ten employees for "Green Belt" certification.
One recent innovation has been the implementation of an automated visual inspection (AVI) system. This system is used for high volume parts requiring 100% inspection. AVI looks for, and isolates, such nonconformities as flash, inclusions and under-fills. Typical applications include critical seal components such as trocar seals and duckbill valves. ATP Elkhorn plans to employ AVI as it expands into new high volume markets such as syringe plunger tips, injection sites and luer tip caps.
Another technology innovation utilized by ATP Elkhorn is gateless molding. This technology, through an innovative valve design, eliminates flash, gates and runners. Gateless molding is a zero-waste process developed in the thermoplastic industry, but difficult to implement in rubber injection molding due to the complexities of the thermosetting process. This technology permits the company to run equipment fully automated, without human intervention, creating a process that is repeatable and consistent.
Bernie Stritzke, Vice President and General Manager, is focused on applying new and innovative technology to become Best in Class. "For us, automation is key. ATP Elkhorn incorporates zero-waste, automated molding and AVI to remain competitive and to be an asset for our customers," explains Stritzke.
"It is our company goal to stay ahead of the technology curve. We are a supplier to the medical device market today, and we will be a supplier to the medical device market tomorrow," continues Stritzke. "We have put into practice numerous innovations that allow us to compete on a world stage."
Another cost saving advantage that ATP Elkhorn offers customers is its joint venture with Chinese rubber and plastic molders. "We have several molding machines custom built by one of our Chinese partners," explains Stritzke. "In certain circumstances we can have tooling manufactured in China, bring it here, and install it right into the machine. Result: less cost and shorter time-to-market. ATP takes great pride in meeting its customer commitment to provide a quality product, competitively priced, on-time — every time," concludes Stritzke.
All ATP facilities are ISO 9001:2000 certified and boasts a robust Six Sigma Enterprise. In addition, facilities focusing on medical device manufacturing, such as Elkhorn, are committed to achieving ISO 13485 and FDA requisition where required.
ATP Engineered Rubber & Plastics Group provides global turnkey manufacturing solutions with a core competency of producing world-class engineered rubber and plastic components and assemblies. The company concentrates on "total solutions" in the following markets: medical devices and equipment, pharmaceutical packaging, industrial hand-held electronics, and consumer products.
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Editors Note: For company information and to send reader inquiries contact Bridget Kelly, Applied Tech Products, bkelly@appliedtechproducts.com, 565 East Swedesford Road, Suite 315, Wayne, PA 19087.
Digital photos available on request.
For more editorial information contact Michael Sheehan, at 800.344.0015 or msheehan@skyhawkonline.com.
565 East Swedesford Road, Suite. 315
Wayne, PA 19087
T: 610.688.2200 F: 610.688.1534
www.medplastgroup.com
