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Diversified Plastics, Inc. significantly increases vertical-press capacity to support medical device and other manufacturers

MINNEAPOLIS—Diversified Plastics, Inc. (DPI) has recently installed six all-electric vertical injection molding presses. These presses will join DPI’s existing assemblage of vertical presses and provide increased production capacity to meet growing demand from medical device and other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

“The addition of these presses has tripled our vertical-press capacity,” says Mark Gremmels, director of operations. “Delivering faster output, electric presses are more precise and repeatable for improved quality, which is vital for many medical, aerospace and industrial components.”

DPI uses vertical presses for over-molding and insert-molding, capabilities often required for medical device and technology manufacturing. The rotary table improves efficiency and production speed using a two-mold-back half system. While one part is molded, the operator can preload inserts into the second, B-side tool. After each part is molded, the table rotates for the removal of the finished part; then the next insert is loaded. These efficiencies can reduce cost and time to market.

One of the new presses, a Sumitomo all-electric 50-ton vertical clamp with vertical injection unit, was added to manufacture a complicated over-molded part. This component is used in a product that has realized skyrocketing sales because of its significance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All-electric presses are more efficient, using less energy than hydraulic presses. Electric presses are equipped with servo motors that operate only when motion is needed. This results in saving nearly half the cost of electricity compared to a similarly sized hydraulic press.

“We sold an underutilized 500-ton horizontal hydraulic press that required 368 square foot of floor space. By placing three of our new Niigata 85-ton vertical presses in that spot, we increased the annual production for that space from 157,000 dollars to a potential of nearly 1.7 million dollars.”

For case studies, material selection and design guides or to request a quote visit www.divplast.com or call +1 763.424.2525.

About Diversified Plastics, Inc.

Employee-owned Diversified Plastics, Inc. (DPI) is a custom plastic-injection molder and digital manufacturer of high-precision, close-tolerance parts and components for medical device, filtration, aerospace and a variety of other industrial markets. Founded in 1977, the company is a full-service contract manufacturer providing design for manufacturing assistance, additive manufacturing, mold construction and intricate molding, as well as cleanroom assembly. In 2018, DPI purchased Pacific Plastics Injection Molding in Vista, Calif. DPI is ISO 9001:2015 and 13485:2016 certified, FDA registered, ITAR certified and UL registered. www.divplast.com

Bear Paw Creek Helps Enrich Lives Through Music and Movement Products

Miller MO: January 14, 2021 - As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt communities, entrepreneur Janet Stephens is stepping up her efforts to enhance lives with her innovative music and movement products.

Through her Bear Paw Creek business, Mrs Stephens is helping to inspire and educate children by equipping teachers, therapists, and parents with a host of products to promote an environment of learning and enjoyment through creative movement and music.

And with the advent of the global pandemic leading to social distancing and virtual classrooms, Bear Paw Creek is now offering all-inclusive individual student kits.

Mrs Stephens started the business more than 20 years ago and has developed all of their products based on customer feedback. "Music and movement helps to develop healthy minds and bodies of all ages," she said. "At Bear Paw Creek, we offer products proudly made in the USA, that seek to enrich the lives of others."

Their colorful products include tactile-friendly music and movement props such as Stretchy Bands to balloon balls, beanbags, scarves, ribbon and chiffon streamers, classroom sets, music and instruments, bags and totes.

One of their innovations is the Connect-a-Stretchy Band which has a buckle system that allows you to use their popular stretchy bands either straight or buckled into a circle.

"Music stimulates both sides of the brain, lifts our spirits and makes tedious activities seem fun. Incorporating our products with motion and music brings all the excellent physical and emotional benefits of exercise, strengthening our muscles, and improving coordination," added Mrs Stephens.

The company was initially created and inspired by her sister, Kathy Schumacher MT-BC, a traveling music therapist who expressed the need for higher quality music therapy props. Janet opened the business in 2000, meshing her love of sewing with the creation of a unique line of music and movement props in addition to solutions for organizing and transporting them.

Bear Paw Creek’s core values have remained the same over the years: commitment to the people who use their products and enthusiasm for how their customers improve others' lives.

For more information, give them a call at (417) 823-0259 or email: iThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To learn more about their products visit https://BearPawCreek.com.

Artis Launches an Eclectic Range of Party Speakers

It’s the season to celebrate and party with your friends and loved ones and Artis brings a wide and eclectic range of party speakers to choose from.

Mumbai, Maharashtra - India | January 13, 2021 -- It’s the season to celebrate and party with friends and loved ones and Artis brings a wide and eclectic range of party speakers to choose from. Sleek and stylish, these speakers offer a superior audio and sound quality amping up the entire party experience. Whether indoors or outdoors, they are perfect for any setting.

Using cutting-edge technology, the brand offers everything that one looks for in such speakers. Artis presents BT – X40 that looks trendy comes at Rs 3,499. The 20W output offers an excellent bass and treble resulting in a great stereo experience. A Bluetooth 4.1, Aux and USB input and card reader, FM radio, RMS output, handsfree calling, a working distance of 10 metres makes it a great option. It’s a perfect choice to host an outdoor event or gathering and the shoulder strap makes it easy to carry it anywhere.

Hosting a big party gets easier with Artis’ BT908 Bluetooth Trolley Speaker. The 40W power speaker works well for a karaoke evening too. The built-in professional mic up to 4.5 hours of playback and a battery capacity of 4500mAh ensures an unhindered party. The 40 watts TMS output, the 8-inch sub woofer, TF card reader, RGB glow lights, a wireless mic, all come for only Rs 5,999 in this lightweight speaker.

Artis’ MS301 Bluetooth Party Speaker is a good pick for those looking for something reasonably priced yet with excellent features. The TF card reader with audio playback and FM radio, along with an Aux input to connect devices are just some features available for Rs 1,999 in this product. It even a US port to connect a pen drive just in case, and the 1200mAh offers enough backup time in the absence of a power socket. One wired mic, a charging cable, a remote control, adds to the experience.

For those looking for multimedia speakers, Artis has good offerings with state-of-the-art technology. The MS201 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System for Rs 2,999 has a remote control to adjust settings as per the user’s preferences. The LED display and the superior sound quality with excellent bass only enhances the entire listening experience. Another option by Artis is the MS204 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System at Rs 2,799 that comes with the same features as the previous one. Along with a remote control to control and adjust settings, the high-quality bass gives a superior listening experience.

Press & Media Contact:
Akshay Daryani
Artis
Mumbai, Maharashtra - India
Phone No: 1800 120 8195
Mobile No: +91 98232 40020
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: https://www.artis.in

Allergenic Fragrance Requirements Strengthened in EU Toy Safety Directive

On December 15, 2020, the European Union (EU) published two directives to revise the two lists regulating the presence of allergenic fragrances in toys. The provisions in the directives will strengthen EU requirements on allergenic fragrances under Directive 2009/48/EC, the Toy Safety Directive (TSD).

The two directives – (EU) 2020/2088 and (EU) 2020/2089 – update the lists under Point 11 of Part III in Annex II of the TSD. These lists are:

‘Prohibited List’ – contains 55 allergenic fragrances. Their presence is allowed if it is technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice (GMP) and each fragrance is no more than 100 mg/kg. These substances should not be used intentionally
‘Labeling List’ – contains 11 allergenic fragrances. These require their name to be listed on the toy, on an affixed label, on the packaging, or in the accompanying leaflet if their concentrations are greater than 100 mg/kg

The changes brought in by the two directives are:

Directive (EU) 2020/2089:

Deletes methyl heptine carbonate (CAS 111-12-6, entry 10) from the ‘Labeling List’
Three allergenic fragrances added to the ‘Prohibited List’:
1. Atranol (CAS 526-37-4)
2. Chloroatranol (CAS 57074-21-2)
3. Methyl heptane carbonate (CAS 111-12-6)

Directive (EU) 2020/2088:

Two additional enantiomers (CAS 1117-61-9 and 7540-51-4) added to citronellol under Entry 4 of the ‘Labeling List’
61 new entries added to the ‘Labeling List’ – some of which contain more than one CAS number

Following these changes, the ‘Prohibited List’ now contains 58 fragrances and the ‘Labeling List’ now contains 71 entries.

Member States are required to transpose these provisions into their national laws by July 4, 2022, with the provisions becoming effective on July 5, 2022.

SGS EU Toy Directive Services

SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with the EU Toy Safety Directive. They offer training, safety/risk assessment, technical documentation check, labelling review, testing according to harmonized standards, SVHC screening, inspections and audits. They have the world’s largest network of toy experts and testing facilities, including around 20 toy laboratories and three 3 EU Notified Bodies (France, Germany and Netherlands). In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s EU Toy Directive Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full EU Strengthens Requirements on Allergenic Fragrances in Toy Safety Directive SafeGuardS. ]

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For further information contact:

Hingwo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager

Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

UK Announces Standards Showing Presumption of Conformity with Toy Safety Legislation

On December 9, 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published a list of designated toy safety standards that demonstrate presumption of conformity with Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

The list includes:

Mechanical and physical – EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018
Flammability – EN 71-2:2011+A1:2014
Migration of certain elements – EN 71-3:2019
Experimental sets for chemistry and related activities – EN 71-4:2013
Chemical toys (sets) other than experimental sets – EN 71-5:2015
Finger paints – EN 71-7:2014+A2:2018
Activity toys for domestic use – EN 71-8:2018
N-Nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances – EN 71-12:2013
Olfactory board games, cosmetic kits and gustative games – EN 71-13:2014
Trampolines for domestic use – EN 71-14
Electric toys:

- EN 62115:2005

- EN 62115:2005/A2:2011

- EN 62115:2005/A11:2012

- EN 62115:2005/A12:2015

- EN 62115:2005/A2:2011/AC:2011

- EN 62115:2005/A11:2012/AC:2013

Stakeholders should be aware, in relation to finger paints, that the limit for climbazole (entry 22 in Table B.1 to Annex B) has been revised from 0.5% to 0.2%. This revision was based on opinion SSC/1506/13 of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), which was adopted after the standard was published.

The UK has published the list following the end of the transition period following Brexit – the UK officially left the European Union (EU) in January 2020 with a transition period that ended on December 31, 2020.

The BEIS has previously published guidance to stakeholders about placing products onto the market in Great Britain (Wales, Scotland and England). For more information, review SGS SafeGuard 143/20.

SGS Toy & Juvenile Product Services

SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with relevant standards for toys, whatever market the manufacturer is targeting. They provide consulting, training, product development, testing, audit, and inspection services to ensure that products comply with strict regulations, demonstrating the safety and quality of toy products being brought to the market. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Global Toy Safety Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full UK Announces Toy Safety Standards for Great Britain SafeGuardS.