The commissioning of a new MecWash MWX400 has led to “big wins” for the quality team at Croom Precision Medical, a manufacturer of medical implants and instruments in Ireland.

Established in 1984 in County Limerick, the company is a FDA-registered 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.

The company supplies precision components and high-value consultancy services for medical applications, like orthopaedics, trauma and extremities, cardiovascular and vascular.

It has invested 8.6 million euros into its new production facilities, manufacturing Class I, II and III medical implants and instruments. Part of the investment went into a MecWash MWX400 supplied by Tewkesbury-based Mecwash to support the exacting cleanliness standards required of medical equipment, increasing decontamination levels.

Raising the bar
Patrick Byrnes, Croom Precsion Medical CEO, said: “In the manufacture of Class II and III medical implants, we must raise the bar on qualification criteria to ensure that every implant is prepared for sterility. After all, everything we produce ends up in a human body somewhere around the world.”

“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 is 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.”

Mr Byrnes added: “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.”

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.

Mr Byrnes continued: “In order to position ourselves for continued success on the global stage and attract new customers from the North American and European markets, we have made the necessary investments into new equipment for our manufacturing facility.”

MecWash managing director John Pattison 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.”