Particles
09/01/2007
compiled by Carrie Meadows
Omnetics completes cleanroom build
Omnetics Connector Corporation, a manufacturer of miniature high-reliability connectors for OEMs, has completed construction of a 340-sq.-ft. cleanroom within its Minneapolis manufacturing plant. The cleanroom will be used for cleaning, testing, and packaging products, as well as providing custom assembly for medical applications such as cochlear implants. The company expects lead times for both standard and custom products to decrease as a result of having all critical production stages in-house.
Proven Process Medical Devices relocates
Proven Process Medical Devices, a contract R&D and manufacturing firm specializing in electromechanical medical devices and equipment, has moved its U.S. headquarters to a new 43,000-sq.-ft. facility in Mansfield, MA. The location represents an 80 percent increase in total facility area over the company’s former location in East Walpole, MA; the new research, engineering, and manufacturing space includes a state-of-the-art Class 10,000 (ISO 7) cleanroom.
Asia-Pacific to grab one-third of IC market by 2011
In its latest report on worldwide IC sales, Arizona-based IC Insights says that Asia-Pacific companies have grown from holding only 2 percent of the IC market in 1985 to 26 percent in 2006. The Asia-Pacific IC supplier segment is primarily composed of Taiwanese, South Korean, and Chinese companies. Because of the large growth forecast for the foundry industry, a segment in which many Asia-Pacific companies are heavily involved, IC Insights believes that the Asia-Pacific companies will continue to gain market share and represent almost one-third (32 percent) of worldwide IC sales in 2011. Japanese market share dropped to 17 percent last year, while European companies have held strong with 8-10 percent of the market; companies headquartered in the Americas have consistently held about half of the sales.
Bosch closes Pharmatec deal
The Bosch Group has acquired Pharmatec GmbH, a leader in pharmaceutical plant engineering (Dresden, Germany) with a focus on hygienic and sterile process technologies, from Fresenius ProServe GmbH. Part of this transaction is Pharmatec subsidiary Schoeller-Bleckmann Medizintechnik Ges.m.b.H based in Ternitz, Austria. Bosch says the acquisition of Pharmatec and Schoeller-Bleckmann Medizintechnik will complement its existing products in the pharma packaging technology sector. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
CoorsTek polymer USP Class VI-approved
CoorsTek, a provider of technical ceramics and producer of PTFE-based polymer seals and components, has received USP Class VI approval for its advanced Tetralon 240 polymer used in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The material is primarily used in high-performance seals and bearings where long component life and low friction are critical. Product testing revealed Tetralon 240 polymer features a low coefficient of friction (0.15 to 0.2 @ 33.3 psi, 150 FPM), durable tensile strength (5,500 psi using ASTM D4894 test), and a low deformation under load at 8.0 percent (ASTM D621).