Nonin Pulse Oximeters
Pacific Plastics Injection Molding (PPIM) is a division of DPI
More than a year before the COVID-19 pandemic began, John Scrivener, a senior buyer from Nonin Medical, Inc., contacted Diversified Plastics, Inc. (DPI) to learn about the company’s capabilities and capacity as part of a supplier selection process. That was the start of a mutual partnership in the fight against COVID-19.
Nonin Medical’s Onyx® Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
The Nonin supplier selection team was looking for a long-term partner to manufacture components for its Onyx® fingertip pulse oximeters and other potential products. Onyx fingertip oximeters are small and lightweight. They measure and display functional oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin (SpO2) and the pulse rate of a person. Clipped to a finger or toe, the device is used in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, emergency medical services and home health settings. The first fingertip pulse oximeter on the market, Onyx has a durable hard plastic case designed to withstand vibration, shock, bumps and drops. Manufactured in black, blue and red, it has plastic channels that hold the batteries securely in place. In addition to Onyx fingertip oximeters, Nonin products are sold in 125 countries.
Python Products Custom Bungee
Bungee Cord Kits Allow Bungees of any Length
Python Products Custom Bungee is a classic example of how PPIM helps start-up companies into the market successfully and quickly. The owners of Python Products had a novel idea to market bungee cord kits, which allow the customer to cut bungees of any length. They had an excellent marketing plan but no experience with product development or plastics, so they came to PPIM.
The bungee had to support 60 pounds. The hook had to be easy to attach to the elastic tubing without any tools. Design documentation and prototypes were provided by Pacific Plastics Injection Molding, and Python did the testing.
After a number of iterations, we found a two-part configuration that met requirements. We completed the overall hook design and designed a blade holder for cutting the tubing in the shape of a Python.
PPIM designed a production mold with four cavities for the hook and plug, and one cavity each for the blade-holder parts. By eliminating three of the hooks and plugs from the initial build, Python had the benefit of a prototype mold at a fraction of the cost.
The initial parts worked as planned, and Python quickly verified that there was a market for their product. We added the three extra cavities and began production.
