EQUIPMENT NEWS
Wavelength and power meter offered for testing diode lasers
 |
A wavelength and power meter has been introduced by Laser Components (UK) Ltd. (Chelmsford, UK; www.lasercomponents.co.uk) that simultaneously measures the power and wavelength of a laser diode. The Wavepower handheld instrument can express power measurements in mW or dBm. Wavelength can be measured from 500 to 900 nm with an approximately 2-nm tolerance. Offering an easy-to-read digital display, the handheld device is designed to be user-friendly. Data can be transmitted from the system using an RS-232 interface. The instrument is available from the company equipped with batteries, a power and wavelength sensor, and a connecting cable.
In addition to providing ultraviolet to far infrared photonic components, the company supplies a range of other detectors and instruments, including voltage and lock-in amplifiers, IR spectrometers, and laser proximity OEM modules. Available accessories include laser safety goggles, IR convertor cards, and optical-fibre tools.
Machine forms and inspects glass tubing
A company produces a range of visual inspection equipment for vials, ampoules, cartridges, and syringes. One of the machines available from Vimec Applied Vision Technology (Eindhoven, Netherlands; www.vimec.nl) offers both forming and inspection capabilities for glass tubing. After glass tubes have been inserted into a carousel, they are heated and shaped with a tool to obtain the desired shape. The system uses LED lighting to delineate sharp edges of the glass. The heat generated from the LED lights does not affect the forming process. When the product is illuminated, multiple pictures are taken of the products in order to perform measurements. The results can be reviewed by specific chuck or tool number.
The performance of the carousel and the mechanical parts used to form the product can be monitored to ensure quality. Electronic components used to ensure the glass is shaped correctly are located outside of the carousel. The lenses, camera, and LED illumination unit used to inspect the glass parts are positioned in a service cabinet at the rear of the inspection unit to facilitate access to those parts by service personnel.
The system has been designed to allow calibration with a sample glass tube. A touch screen is provided to set up the inspection parameters and output. When the system is linked to a network, the results generated by the inspection application can be reviewed from any computer in the network using an Internet browser. Stored information can be printed or analyzed without affecting inspection or production. Testing results also can be sent to a server.
Multisensor measuring machines help manufacturers meet regulatory requirements
 |
A series of multisensor measuring machines is designed to help manufacturers of medical and pharmaceutical technology comply with regulations relating to electronic documentation. The firm’s measuring systems satisfy the process documentation requirements of regulations such as US FDA 21 CFR Part 11, the generally accepted principles of computerized accounting systems published by the German Ministry of Finance to accompany the German Commercial Code, and the standards of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. Available from Mahr GmbH (Göttingen, Germany; www.mahr.de), the multisensor measuring machines satisfy the relevant validation requirements in production, including documented proof that a computerized system works reliably and reproducibly on a long-term basis, thereby ensuring that products are manufactured with the specified properties.
The company’s MarVision MS 662 and MarVision OMS 663 systems perform a variety of measuring tasks accurately and reliably with tactile and optical sensors. These systems satisfy electronic data processing requirements from complete implementation and protection against loss and counterfeiting to process documentation and verifiability.
Ultrasonic measurement system detects tubing flaws
 |
Available from LaserLinc Inc. (Fairborn, OH, USA; www.laserlinc.com), the UltraGauge+ nondestructive ultrasonic measurement system can be used to detect flaws in tubing walls during extrusion. Suited for in-process wall-thickness measurement across a number of manufacturing applications, the system can be used to monitor the production of medical tubing and cables. The system can perform more than 2000 measurements per second that are accurate to ±0.001 mm. The UltraGauge+ supports up to eight transducers and is capable of operating as two independent four-transducer systems.
Compliant with IP65 enclosure and RoHS standards, the machine is offered with a digital signal processor, transducer block, and laser micrometer. To create a product image from ultrasonic data, the transducers emit acoustic pulses, which then bounce off surfaces they strike. After measuring the resulting ultrasonic echo, the transducers convert these data to dimensional measurements. The images resulting from those measurements are displayed using the company’s proprietary Total Vu software.
Testing systems measure material’s elastic and damping properties
 |
A PC-based nondestructive testing system can measure the elastic and damping properties of materials at room temperature as well as at high temperatures. Using the impulse excitation technique according to the ASTM E1876 standard, the systems can measure properties such as Young’s modulus, shear modulus, Poisson’s ratio, sound velocity, shear velocity, and internal friction. Offered by Buzz Mac International (Glendale, WI, USA; www.buzzmac.com), the systems are offered with software and hardware such as microphones, sound cards, cables, sample supports, and impulse tools. Rental and testing services are also available. The company’s Buzz-o-sonic unit is suited for a variety of medical device applications. High-temperature systems as well as automated and semiautomated systems for quality control applications are also available from the company. The company can also develop custom machines.
Machine performs a variety of impact tests
 |
A recently introduced machine from CEAST S.p.A. (Pianezza, TO, Italy; www.ceast.com) can perform Charpy, Izod, Dynstat, and tensile impact tests using the traditional method for measuring energy values and impact strength or it can calculate force as a function of deformation, impact strength, and energy absorbed by the specimen. The system’s monolithic cast-iron construction provides rigidity and frame stability in accordance with international standards.
Protective guards on either side of the unit’s pendulum ensure safety during testing. A patented line of flat hammers developed for this instrument offer an ergonomic quick-change mechanism so that no tools or screws are needed. The innovative wedge system assures they are firmly fixed even with slight tightening. A sophisticated infrared system recognizes the hammer that is used and prevents possible error arising from variable energy ranges or test conditions. A disc brake is provided with a double braking surface, enabling it to assure high braking torque and smooth operation. Angle measurements are obtained by means of a magnetic encoder that offers accuracy and the virtual absence of friction. A programmable output trigger signal is provided to synchronize the data input and to obtain the maximum repeatability of the impact curve starting point. The instrument can be equipped with miniaturized slip rings that transmit an electric signal when detecting friction.
The machine comes equipped with an advanced embedded PC and high-resolution colour display. The touch screen interface allows the operator to manage the testing and to save the results into internal memory onto a flash memory card or onto a PC equipped with a LAN connection.
Reference gauges suited for testing luer lock fittings
 |
Reference gauges for testing luer and luer lock fittings in accordance with ISO 594 and EN 1707 are offered by Melab GmbH (Leonberg, Germany; www.melab.de). The company’s Dremo torque testing device features a high-sensitivity torque sensor that offers performance up to ±500 mN•m. The system’s electronics and operator panel include selectable testing modes, maximum value hold, adjustable upper and lower threshold levels and selectable scales. Reportedly easy to use, the device tests fittings for ease of assembly, unscrewing torque, and overriding resistance, and it prepares the fittings for leakage, stress cracking, and separation force tests. In addition, the necessary testing equipment for leakage tests and separation force tests required by ISO 594 is supplied.
The company also offers laboratory services and testing equipment for ISO standard–based testing of medical disposables as laboratory random tests and 100% in-line tests. Other specialties of the company encompass penetration force, sharpness, and friction testing to DIN 13097; peel, bond, and separation force testing to ISO 7864; leakage and flow-rate testing to ISO 10555; kinking, bending, and breakage testing to ISO 9626; and testing of plunger forces in accordance with ISO 7886.
