China Array Plastics LLC recently announced it is adding a new molding cell to its China operation, enabling the company to expand its capabilities in molding medical and dental devices.
The addition will increase the number of machines in the company's Wuhan location to three by the end of the second quarter of 2009.
The company, headquartered in Pittsfield, Mass., has a 28-year history in China.
The company also molds parts for the aerospace, electronics, dairy and food-service markets.
“China Array's strategy is to have a state-of-the-art molding facility in China dedicated to molding high-performance thermoplastics combined with a strong engineering presence in the U.S.,” said Russell Johnson, president and founder.
The new cell will feature a Welltec 50T H2 precision injection molding machine and a Wittmann high-temperature oil mold heater capable of reaching 482° F.
“China Array is molding more medical and dental devices, which require high-precision/ high-pressure machines,” Johnson said. “By adding a new molding cell with a high-pressure molding machine, oil mold-temperature controller and desiccant dryer, the company improves its capability in this niche.”
Expanding the company's abilities in molding medical and dental components fits well with China Array's overall strategy, Johnson said.
The components have to meet sterilization, dimensional integrity, chemical resistance and other requirements.
“The company can provide its customers strong upfront engineering for material selection, design [and] manufacturability review,” Johnson said.