VEM Expands Injection Molding Cleanroom Operations in Thailand

VEM Group (Clovis, Calif.) has expanded cleanroom operations at its ISO 13485 certified manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand, upgrading the existing ISO Class 8 cleanroom to ISO Class 7, while doubling its size.

VEM said the expanded cleanroom will support production of plastic components and medical devices for existing Fortune 500 customers in the aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, and medical device industries. Robotics have been installed on the existing molding machines, with three new Arburg’s on order—specifically one 220-ton electric and two 100-ton hydraulic models. At present, Rayong has 18 injection molding machines, ranging in clamp force from ½ to 500 tons and supplied by Toshiba, Krauss Maffei, Babyplast, Jin Tong, Chen Hsong and Toshiba.

Capabilities at VEM Thailand include cleanroom plastic injection molding and assembly, prototyping, and testing. All molds are built within the VEM Group. In addition to the site in Thailand, which it has operated for more than 14 years, VEM has tool building in China and India, with injection molding in Mexico and molding/moldmaking in Bulgaria. In the release, VEM said it’s currently constructing a larger facility in Thailand scheduled to open in 2022.