The exhibit also reflects an increasing thrust by Wittmann Battenfeld (Vienna, Austria) in the growing, high-value medical plastics market. The company is showing its micro capabilities for the medical market at the Medtec show in Stuttgart (Feb. 26 to 28).

The molding cell consists of a Battenfeld HM 65/210 injection molding machine with B6 control, with a fully integrated W808 R8 Wittmann robot and a TEMPRO Plus D200 water temperature controller.  The cell will be molding polypropylene pill boxes with a living hinge, on a 2-cavity mold made in California. Additional equipment operating at the booth will be a MAS1 granulator, a DRYMAX Aton F70 PDC material dryer, a B14 state of the art gravimetric

 blender, and an MC balance color feeder and two S3 loaders. 

Wittmann Battenfeld USA opened a direct West Coast operation in January 2011.

"Our sales and service office in San Juan Capistrano, CA provides customers with a bilingual staff and local stock of spare parts and equipment," said Carlos Chavez, area sales manager. "We have achieved record sales for two straight years and currently have three full-time sales and service people. Some additions to our staff, increasing inventory, constant training sessions, and increased direct local service will all be part of our continued growth." 

Chavez, who has been part of the Wittmann Battenfeld group since 1998, previously led the company's Mexico operations.