Mack Molding, with the help of its new customer ZOLL Medical Corporation (NASDAQ: ZOLL), captured the first place award in the Medical/Scientific division, as well as the overall Conference Award, at the Society of the Plastics Industry’s (SPI) Structural Plastics Division conference this spring in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
The winning application, the ZOLL AED Pro from ZOLL Medical Corporation, is an automated external defibrillator that is designed with advanced capabilities to support both Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support professional emergency responders. ZOLL’s products are used globally in emergency medical settings, hospitals, and public venues as part of early defibrillation programs.
From a processing perspective, the unit is innovative because it is made of a combination of materials (polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane, and thermoplastic elastomer) that will endure severe impact while keeping all working components intact. “We designed the AED Pro for extreme environments so that EMS personnel can focus on taking care of the patient rather than the device,” says Richard A. Packer, president and chief executive officer of ZOLL. “We are excited that ZOLL and Mack have been recognized by industry experts for this advanced design, as well as the innovative use of plastics.” With superior plastics and a solid overmolding, the AED Pro is the only AED in the industry to pass a 1.5-meter drop test. It also has an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance.
The defibrillator uses three different injection molding processes and three different materials in one compact package. Gas-assist, overmolding and insert molding are the processes used to mold 20 parts for the AED Pro. Gas-assist is used to fill out thick sections; insert molding provides a watertight seal for a clear window in a colored part; and overmolding is used for the gasketing and to provide a layer of impact-absorbing resin.
“These awards are particularly meaningful for Mack because they demonstrate our commitment to a strategic market shift initiated four years ago,” says Jeff Somple, president of Mack’s northern operations. “From a primary focus on the high-end sector of the computer and business equipment industry, Mack has now charted a new course toward large-part molding and overall market diversification with an emphasis on medical applications. Today, the medical field accounts for 25 percent of our customer base and sales, and we expect that to grow to 50 percent within the next few years.”
Contact: Jeff White, Program Manager
jlw@mack.com
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