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Paragon Medical Cuts Ribbon on Additive Manufacturing Facility
By PlasticsToday Staff
Medical device manufacturer Paragon Medical reports that it has cut the ribbon on its new additive manufacturing center. The state-of-the-art facility at the company’s Pierceton, IN, campus covers 34,000 square feet of manufacturing and operational space. Local dignitaries were in attendance including members of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, Kosciusko Economic Development Corp., and town and county council.?
The new additive manufacturing facility?under construction since September 2021 ?is supported by an initial investment of $16 million with an additional anticipated investment of $19 million over the next five years. The company has existing additive manufacturing design and production capabilities at its innovation center in Warsaw, IN.
Commenting on the ribbon cutting, Dan Blum, VP and general manager of the Pierceton, IN, campus, couched the event as a “testimonial to the vision and passion of the Paragon Medical team, who work relentlessly to?provide world-class services and products to enhance the quality of life of others. Paragon Medical’s investment in this facility and technology?continues to affirm our industry-leading position, supporting our clients for many years to come,” said Blum.
The healthcare additive manufacturing market is projected to reach $8 billion by 2030, according to Paragon Medical.??
The company said it offers an end-to-end supply chain solution from initial concept and product development?to verification and validation testing, final production, assembly, and ongoing strategic demand planning. Its 3D-printing capabilities can reduce lead times, cost, and supply chain complexity across product lines in the medical device industry.
LS Mtron Expands Line of Vertical Injection Molding Machines
By PlasticsToday Staff
LS Mtron Injection Molding Machines USA has added several new models to its line of LSG-V vertical injection molding machines ranging in size from 35 to 660 tons.
The LSG-V —?known outside North America as the WIZ-VR II —?previously was available in three models from 100 to 350 tons and only as a vertical rotary machine.?The newly expanded line includes 13 models in varying tonnages with options for vertical or horizontal injection, and rotary table, shuttle, or single-station designs.
The LSG-V hybrid system is intuitive and easy to operate and is equipped with features for enhanced operator safety, said LS Mtron.?
Product take-out and insertion processes can be performed simultaneously during injection, reducing cycle time and improving productivity. Servo motors and drivers ensure precision molding and minimize product defects during production. A range of injection specifications, such as speed and pressure, are available to meet customer requirements.
Other features of the?LSG-V series include:
The LSG-V has a four-post tie-bar structure to ensure durability and stability. Additionally, users gain capacity with support for up to four injection fixtures, and the slide-type guide bar design minimizes transfer resistance.?
At?NPE2024 ?in May, LS Mtron will exhibit a 170-ton LSG-V machine molding an electric vehicle component for sister company LS Automotive.
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Contaminated Plastic Waste Finds New Life via Dissolution Recycling
By Ben Porter
Recycling technology innovation has continued to evolve to address the world’s plastic waste. However, one issue consistently remains —?limited feedstock of high-quality recyclable materials. Contamination has been an ongoing concern —?materials that have coatings or films or that are painted, printed, or colored, for example — as the chemical industry attempts to address plastic waste. Most of these streams historically have been discarded into landfills or incinerated because traditional recycling technologies could not process highly contaminated feedstocks.
As the industry prepares for new regulations in Europe targeting?end-of-life disposal —?such as the new?End-of-Life Vehicle Directive ?—?companies must begin thinking about how to handle complex materials. Dissolution is one new technology that can overcome these challenges.
A truly circular process
“Dissolution recycling” is a physical recycling process where the desired polymer is extracted using selective solvent(s). The extracted polymers can then be used?to make new recycled materials. The dissolution process is an advanced technology by which pre- and post-consumer materials containing the wanted polymer can be put directly into the solvent without any significant pre-treatment. The solvent will dissolve the desired material while all other waste remains solid and can be filtered out. The dissolved polymer extracted is 100% recycled and can be used for compounding into new materials. Additionally, the remaining materials can then be processed further through a cascade of other recycling technologies. Making this process truly circular, the used solvent can be recovered and recirculated within the recycling system, which is also cost-effective. As described, this physical recycling technology does not require extensive pre-treatment, such as over-sorting, and obtains a high conversion rate. Dissolution recycling is considered a robust technology and will have a vital role to play in the future circularity of plastics.
Sabic Materials Deployed in Record-Setting Formula E Car
If you weren’t wondering already, yes, there is a Guinness Book record for almost every conceivable achievement and that includes the speed record for a vehicle traveling indoors. This was set by Jake Hughes driving a Genbeta Formula E car at the recent Hankook London E-Prix race, where he reached a top speed of 218.71 kph (135.9 mph)?racing for the Neom McLaren Formula E Team.
Sabic is an integral partner in the Genbeta live development program that aims to advance new materials and technologies for future EV race and road cars. Materials provided by Sabic for the race vehicle included:
As Sabic collaborates with Formula E and its partners, it is drawing on a still-expanding portfolio of thermoplastics developed under dedicated solution platforms for electrification (Bluehero)?and the circular economy (Trucircle).
First announced as the electric racing series’ Principal and Innovation Partner in 2022, Sabic intends to continue to work closely with Formula E to develop cutting-edge solutions?that will drive further innovation in electric vehicle technologies, and progress in sustainable practices across the sport’s wider ecosystem and operations.