INDUSTRY NEWS
Croom Precision Medical enhances cleanliness with new MecWash installation
The commissioning of a new MecWash MWX400 has led to “ big wins ” for the quality team at Croom Precision Medical , the Co . Limerick based manufacturer of medical implants and instruments .
Set up in 1984 , the company is a FDAregistered contract manufacturer of orthopaedic implants , specialising in designing and manufacturing components for the medical device industry , and machining and handling precious metals for use in a sterile environment . Croom Precision Medical supplies precision components and high value consultancy services for medical applications , like orthopaedics , trauma and extremities , cardiovascular and vascular .
Croom Precision Medical , located in county Limerick , Ireland , has invested € 8.6 million into its new production facilities , manufacturing Class I , II and III medical implants and instruments . Part of the investment went into a MecWash MWX400 to support the exacting cleanliness standards required of medical equipment , increasing decontamination levels , according to Patrick Byrnes , chief executive officer of Croom Precision Medical .
“ In the manufacture of Class II and III medical implants here at Croom Precision Medical , we must raise the bar on qualification criteria to ensure that every implant is prepared for sterility . After all , everything we produce here ends up in a human body somewhere around the world ,” Byrnes said .
“ The MecWash system is utilised in our validated production process . The system has undergone full qualifications in installation , operation and process . These conditions test the process under ‘ worst case cleaning conditions ’ according to a set of parameters defined by our quality team .
“ It ’ s imperative that our products for the medical industry are cleaned with the sophistication required . Everything in the machining process , all oils , contaminants , swarf , tissue papers ; all of these elements must be removed in the cleaning process as the standards for medical equipment are so stringent ,” he adds .
Patrick said : “ Previously we used a series of single modular ultrasonic baths . We were limited by volume , pressure and power . The MecWash machine meets all of our requirements and more by giving a controlled , validated outcome on each processing cycle . This was a big win for our quality team where operator interference was completely removed . In addition , the system ’ s cycle time is a great deal faster , enabling our operations team to get more production through on a shift basis . It ’ s a big win .”
Croom Precision ’ s investment also brings new advanced grinding machinery , CNC , finishing and metal inspection machinery to a factory floor being expanded by 30,000ft2 .
Patrick Byrnes , chief executive officer of Croom Precision , said : “ In order to position ourselves for continued success on the global stage and attract new customers from the North American and European markets , we ’ ve made the necessary investments into new equipment for our manufacturing facility .”
John Pattison , managing director of MecWash , said : “ This application of the MWX400 is further proof of our credentials within the healthcare industry . We have a proud history of providing the immaculate cleaning standards required by the medical and precision engineering industries .”
For more information about MecWash Systems , visit https :// www . mecwash . com .
32 AUGUST 2021 read online : www . surfaceworld . com