Originally Published January/February 2001
Spotlight on Metal Fabrication
Microgears
Microgears
are produced for a variety of applications including pumps, reducers,
and measuring instruments. Engineering services include building to
custom specifications or drawings, developing new products, and conducting
torque, power, and efficiency tests. The company also precision machines
a variety of materials, from polymers to steel. The mass production
of complex parts along with subassembly operations are among the company's
core activities. Vorpe S.A., Sonceboz, Switzerland.
Centreless grinder
A centreless
grinder with accuracy to within 0.00005 in. is suited for the production
of small cylindrical or spherical metal parts. The high-speed grinder
has computer controls linked to a laser gauging system and independent
positional controls to enhance productivity. In addition to metal,
the system can also size and finish or form plastic, ceramic, or composite
materials. Glebar Inc., Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA.
Tubular products
A
wide range of custom metal components are fabricated from small-diameter
stainless-steel tubing or wire and other metals such as titanium,
nickel, and silver. The parts can be configured with elbows, ports,
branches, and other features. Passivation, polishing, marking, and
Teflon coating services are available. Unimed S.A., Lausanne,
Switzerland.
Burr-free metal cutting
Burr-free
metal cutting of small-diameter metal tubes, solid wire, and rods
is available. Stainless steel and various metals can be cut in diameters
as small as 0.003 in., as short as 0.010 in., and with tolerances
to ±0.0002 in. In-house services include centreless grinding
to as small as 0.005-in. diam, lapping, and continuous or discreet
laser micrometer quality checking. Metal Cutting Corp., Cedar
Grove, NJ, USA.
Stainless-steel components
Providing
products exclusively to the medical device industry, a company manufactures
components using aluminium wire or bars, or stainless steel that meets
ASTM and ISO specifications for surgical instruments. The components
are electropolished and cleaned in multiple hot reverse-osmosis and
high-purity deionized-water rinses with ultrasonics. Each part is inspected
for burrs and defects before shipment. Disposable Instrument Company,
Inc., Shawnee Mission, KS, USA.
Cutting tools
Complex
cutting tools are manufactured to customer specifications. The company
offers a variety of shapes and materials for various applications. Blade
packaging can also be customized and developed in-house. Lutz KG,
Solingen, Germany.
Stainless-steel processing
A company
that manufactures precision components and modules processes noncutting
and cutting stainless steel and nonferrous metals using a largely CNC-controlled
production line. Pipe bending, soldering, and laser and WIG arc welding
are also offered. Metalle in Form Geräteteile GmbH, Karlsruhe,
Germany.
Etched Parts
Photochemical
machined parts, fine-cut laser parts, and etched and laser-cut SMD stencils
are available. Sheet-metal parts can produced with a maximum thickness
of 1.5 mm. The etching technology allows for short delivery times, low
tooling costs, absolutely flat and burr-free parts, and unchanged physical
metal characteristics. Ätztechnik Herz GmbH & Co., Epfendorf,
Germany.
