New double-dose cup showcases cold swaging attribute of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester
Kingsport, Tenn. — Feb. 10, 2010 — Eastman Chemical Company and DD Studio announced a collaboration to advance strategic, human-centric innovations for the medical market and unveiled a double-dose cup that showcases the breadth of design and processing possibilities of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester at the Medical Design & Manufacturing West (MD&M West) trade show Feb. 9 to 11, 2010, in Anaheim, Calif.
“As the medical marketplace increasingly values safe, durable and reliable devices that make an emotional connection with users and recognizes design as a competitive advantage, it’s grown more important for materials suppliers and designers to work together,” said Scott Hanson, global industry leader, medical market segment, Specialty Plastics Business, Eastman. “Through our collaboration, we can help designers who are creating state-of-the-art medical devices to bring them to market easier and faster, and also consider next-generation materials to solve industry issues.”
The double-dose cup designed by DD Studio using Eastman Tritan™ copolyester is composed of individual pieces that create a functional medical cup when assembled. The attributes of toughness, clarity and chemical resistance make Tritan ideal for the design and development of intricate and complex medical devices. The design flexibility and ease of processing of Tritan also make it a material of choice for prototype development.
During creation of the double-dose cup prototype, DD Studio discovered Eastman Tritan™ copolyester also is ideal for cold swaging, a joining technique that offers unique possibilities to part designers and fabricators. The method involves bending and crimping a plastic part without heat to join two parts, which can save energy and avoid the use of chemicals, adhesives and mechanical fasteners. Tritan offers a tight, smooth and continuous fit between two parts, and provides product manufacturers and designers with an innovative, advanced material choice.
“In 25 years of developing new products, Eastman Tritan™ copoleyster is the first material DD Studio has discovered that offers all of the characteristics required to specify it universally,” said Michael Swartz, growth strategist, DD Studio. “We’re inventing new products and processes — entering spaces that have yet to be explored. By working with Eastman materials, such as Tritan, we’re able to press the limits of possibility while validating our capacity for successful manufacturing.”
The double-dose cup is the first of many samples that will be developed using various Eastman resins to encourage interaction and spur design and engineering innovation.
Medical grades of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, which were launched into the medical market during MD&M West in February 2009, provide outstanding lipid and chemical resistance; higher heat stability; excellent long-term clarity; added durability and toughness; and are manufactured without bisphenol-A (BPA) or halogens.
During MD&M East in June 2009, Eastman launched a new family of blends based on Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, marketed within PolyOne’s Trilliant™ HC specialty blends portfolio in North America. At the same time, Eastman also introduced a new high-flow, medical-grade polymer — Eastman Tritan MX731 copolyester — to its existing family of medical-grade copolyesters.
- A newly discovered attribute of Tritan, cold swaging, showcased in the recently revealed double-dose cup designed by collaborator DD Studio. For a related photo, click here.
For more information on Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, visit www.eastman.com/tritan.
For more information on DD Studio, visit www.ddstudio.com.
