15 Nov 2006
GE Helps Ensinger Supply High-Performance Semi-Finished Parts to Medical Device Manufacturers
Ensinger is a producer of semi-finished plastic parts – including tubes, rods, and plates – that are supplied to manufacturers of end products such as medical devices. The company uses more than 100 different plastics to extrude, cast, compression-mold, and pultrude these parts.
Ensinger had been using polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) to produce its Tecanyl line of extruded rods and bars that are used by manufacturers of implant trial heads – temporary bone replacements placed in the body during surgery to determine the exact size of the final implant.
15 Nov 2006
GE Material Solutions That Can Aid Healthcare in Meeting the Challenge of Ageing Populations
BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — November 15, 2006 — Decades of progressively improving healthcare have contributed in large measure to people living longer. But, while this success is a mark of societal advance and a benefit to humankind, it brings with it a new challenge, that of ageing populations and significant growth in the demand for healthcare services. The proportion of older people, 60 years and above, in many societies is growing faster than the segment made up of the young. This is a global phenomenon being experienced in both developed and developing countries, although its effects are more pronounced in industrialized countries many of which are also indicating declining birth rates.
15 Nov 2006
GE Plastics Helps Merivaara Spotlight New Material Solutions for its Merilux Examination Lamp
Merivaara, a leading supplier of medical equipment in northern Europe, designs its products to optimize patient treatment – both by improving patient comfort and by increasing caregiver efficiency. The company sought to redesign its Merilux X1 general-purpose examination lamp to reduce the amount of heat generated by the existing aluminum reflector, which could make the patient, examination room, and lamp housing too warm. At the same time, Merivaara wanted to simplify the design of the housing, which was constructed primarily of metal. To find better material solutions for these two very different components, Merivaara turned to GE Plastics because of its broad array of high-tech products and many value-added services.
15 Nov 2006
GE’s Lexan* HPM Resin Raises the Benchmark for Hemocompatibility and Reduced Protein Binding in Medical Devices
BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — November 15, 2006 — GE Plastics’ advanced Lexan* HPM polycarbonate resin is representative of GE Plastics’ response to the changing needs of the healthcare industry. It provides a major step-advance in hemocompatibility with substantially improved performance relative to platelet retention, leukocyte and C3a protein activation, and reduced Fibrinogen protein surface binding characteristics. All of which are innovations that may mean greater safety for patients undergoing surgery and with higher levels of care throughout recovery as well as during blood collection and donations.
14 Nov 2006
GE Helps FLEXcon Reduce System Costs of Bar Code Label Stock While Delivering 98/100 Print Contrast Ratio
To track electronic or automotive components with speed and precision, manufacturers need bar code labels that can be read accurately the first time. To achieve this, the labels must be opaque to prevent the substrate under the label from showing through, and provide a sharp contrast to the bar code printing. Traditionally, producers of bar code label stock apply a white surface treatment to translucent, high-temperature films to improve opacity, print contrast, and durability. However, FLEXcon, a leading global manufacturer of pressure-sensitive films and adhesives, identified a need for a label material that did not require an opaque surface treatment.
14 Nov 2006
GE’s Ultem* Resin Gives Cost and Weight Advantages to ERA’s G1 Low-Profile Antenna
ERA Technology Ltd. selected next-generation Ultem* 2312EPR resin instead of machined aluminum to cost-effectively mold a complex antenna for consumer vehicles while reducing part weight by 30%.
ERA Technology Ltd. is a UK-based leader in antenna technology for military, commercial, and high-volume applications. When developing a revolutionary new low-profile antenna for mobile connectivity to the Internet and satellite TV, the company lost little time in deciding against traditional machined aluminum in favor of a thermoplastic resin. To achieve its goals of lightweight, reduced cost, and high-volume production, ERA worked with GE Plastics to identify the best resin and create the most effective part design.
14 Nov 2006
Ultem* Resins Help Areva Power the Energy Industry
The present consolidation of AREVA represents the combination of five companies: AREVA T&D, COGEMA, FRAMATOME ANP and TECHNICATOME. The result has yielded a company of 78,000 employees worldwide. From power plants to local energy distribution and transmission services, Areva and its employees are committed to technological innovation.
14 Nov 2006
Schwarz Verbindungs-Systeme GmbH Connects the Aircraft Industry with the Help of Ultem* Resins
Schwarz, a subsidiary of SFS Industry Holding AG, is a leading manufacturer of fasteners for fixing interior cabin panels, luggage storage compartments and for mounting “exit” signs in aircraft. Made of GE Plastics’ Ultem resins, these products were designed for use in the AIRBUS A380, the world’s only twin-deck, four aisle airliner.
14 Nov 2006
GE Plastics to Display Innovative Materials and Applications for the Electronics Industry at electronica Munich
BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS — November 14, 2006 — At electronica 2006, GE Plastics is showcasing innovative materials and technologies for electronic devices that help address global needs for higher quality and performance, increased functionality, better aesthetics, and faster “art-to-part” cycles. GE Plastics’ latest engineering thermoplastics, films, and composites, on display in Hall B1, Stand B1.279, offer a major competitive advantage to electronics OEMs and suppliers, as well as helping them comply with specific environmental regulations. Among the featured materials are Ultem* 5000B and white Ultem WH217 polyetherimide film grades, Lexan* FR25A polycarbonate (PC) film, and Lexan DMX resin. Applications for these materials, including insulating tapes and high heat bar code label substrates manufactured by H-old; motor slot insulators by Dr. D. Müller GmbH; W.L. Gore & Associates’ snapSHOT™ EMI shielding; and flexible flat heaters made by RICA will also be displayed.
9 Nov 2006
GE Helps BMW’s 3 Series Set a New Benchmark for Driving Performance
BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS— November 9, 2006 — GE today announced that its extensive portfolio of materials helped BMW meet stringent requirements for more than a dozen components in its 2006 BMW 3 Series mid-size cars. Specifically, the automaker wanted to find new ways to drive design innovation and improve fuel economy while meeting new standards of performance and durability. By using GE Plastics’ Noryl*, Lexan*, and Cycolac* resins and the company’s Visualfx* special effects resins, as well as materials from other GE businesses, BMW was able to redesign parts from the instrument panel (IP) to the headlamps to achieve such benefits as lighter weight, extreme weatherability, lower emissions, and special color effects.
