Plastikos, Inc. Invests in Micro Molding Equipment

Plastikos, Inc., a precision medical injection molder headquartered in Erie, PA, has further diversified their product portfolio with the purchase of two Arburg micro molding machines. Each machine is capable of delivering a shot size as small as 0.3 ounces of material. Medical sales for Plastikos increased by more than 10% in 2019 with a strong demand focused on smaller, miniature devices.

Rob Cooney, the company’s manufacturing manager, spoke highly of the opportunities that lie ahead for future micro molding projects, “Plastikos saw an opportunity as a result of an increasing trend within the medical industry through various micro fluidic and wearable devices. As components continue to be miniaturized and various hot runner technologies becoming available to go runner-less, it was therefore critical to provide smaller shot capabilities to ensure optimal barrel utilization and shot-to-shot consistency to maximize our quality and efficiency. These new machines provide us with the flexibility to meet our stringent customer demands at all cavitation levels.”

The upgrades are currently being completed within Plastikos’ ISO 7 cleanroom, which is being tailored specifically to accommodate the two medical micro molding machines, complete with side entry robotics. Once finished, the expected capacity within Plastikos’ original cleanroom is projected to increase by 25%.   

Philip Katen, the company’s president and general manager, explains that “Plastikos’ continued investment, both at Plastikos as well as at Plastikos Medical, represents our commitment to grow with and to support our strategic medical device customers, as their business and product portfolio continues to expand.”

Earlier this year, Plastikos attained their ISO 13485 certification and it was quickly followed by the Grand Opening of Plastikos Medical, a brand-new 25,000 square-foot facility that is 100% dedicated to cleanroom medical injection molding, within an ISO 7 cleanroom environment. In total, Plastikos and Plastikos Medical has grown to 42 molding machines, nearly half of which are in an ISO 7 cleanroom.

“We’re very excited to utilize these two brand new micro molding machines.” Katen explained, “It will enable our customers to provide the innovative medical devices that make their customers’ lives better every day.”