Waldorf Technik Forms North American Subsidiary
To respond to growing demand from North American medical and packaging moulders, Waldorf Technik GmbH & Co. KG (Engen, Germany;
www.waldorf-technik.de) has formed a wholly owned subsidiary in St. Charles, IL, USA. In addition to supplying automation equipment for injection moulding systems, Waldorf Technik Inc. also will handle maintenance for this customer base. The ISO 9001–certified company manufactures high-speed robotics and inline automation systems for companies that mould high-volume disposable medical products. Typical items include pipette tips, contact lenses, insulin injectors, syringes, and drug-delivery devices. To ensure quality and safety, most production is automated within a cleanroom environment. Waldorf’s “all-out-of-onehand” concept of the automation system integrates failure mode effect analysis and full qualification protocol as part of its in-house services. Visit Waldorf Technik on stand #564.
Ceramic Component Manufacturer Invests in Ceramic Injection Moulding Machinery
A subsidiary of ceramic component supplier CoorsTek (Golden, CO, USA;
www.coorstek.com), C5 Medical Werks (Grand Junction, CO, USA;
www.c5medicalwerks.com) focuses on manufacturing advanced ceramic components. The manufacturer recently announced that it has installed ceramic injection moulding equipment to meet growing demand from medical device firms for intricate, implantable ceramic components. Ceramic components from C5 Medical Werks are routinely used for orthopaedic, spinal, dental, and electroimplantable applications. While CoorsTek provides ceramic components for medical devices used outside the body, C5 produces only implantable components. C5 Medical Werks operates a cleanroom with multiaxis CNC machining, turning, and finishing equipment; dry and isostatic presses; extruders; ceramic injection moulders; and inspection equipment. C5 Medical Werks, and its parent, CoorsTek, are exhibiting on stand #1530.
Multivac Thermoformer Comes with Complete Validation Package
Developed according to consistent hygiene design guidelines, a thermoform packaging machine from Multivac (Wolfertschwenden, Germany;
www.multivac.de) can be integrated into fully automated production lines to process syringes, catheters, cannulae, implants, and related products. As with all of the firm’s new-generation thermo - formers, the machine is engineered so that cleaning liquids and residual contaminants roll off its surfaces. Precise and reproducible production results are achieved through the calibration of all relevant measurement sections and controlled processes, as well as through compliant qualification and validation. In fact, a validation programme that meets specific manufacturing requirements can be created for the R245 machine. At MEDTEC, Multivac will also present a safe and easy-to-operate vision system for high-speed verification of objects and surfaces, as well as for controlling product integrity. Visit the company on stand #478.
German Chancellor Admires Werth TomoScope
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Minister-President of Bavaria Günther Beckstein recently visited the technical college in Deggendorf, Germany, where they got a close look at the TomoScope from Werth Messtechnik GmbH (Giessen, Germany;
www. werthmesstechnik.de). Merkel seemed to be impressed by this technology that is said to measure production parts at unprecedented speeds and measurement point densities. Holding a doctorate in physics, the chancellor took a natural interest in the machine’s technical details. The Werth TomoScope HV three-coordinate measuring machine can accept components up to 40 kg, with a size of 350 mm in diameter and 500 mm in length. With a maximum x-ray voltage of 225 kV, the machine is also suitable for measuring high-density components, such as aluminium, steel, titanium, composites, ceramics, and glass-reinforced plastics. Werth is exhibiting on stand #2301.
Sealed Air Presents Five-Year Accelerated Aging Data to MEDTEC Attendees
Although Sealed Air (St. Neots, Cambs, UK;
www.sealedair.com) has been a steady supplier to the med-tech industry for many years, it has resolved to raise its profile a notch or two in the healthcare sector going into 2009. One of the ways it hopes to achieve this goal is by making life a little bit easier for its customers. That means exceeding expectations, says Nicholas Berendt, European marketing manager, medical applications. A case in point: the company has introduced a new base web material that has been validated independently in combination with lidding to the ISO 11607 standard. “It’s a first for the flexible packaging industry,” says Berendt. “We have subjected the combination of M6040, a new base web that seals to uncoated Tyvek, and Tyvek 2FS to a full range of mechanical, cytotoxicity, and accelerated aging tests under ISO 11607. We currently have two-year accelerated aging data; five-year data will be available in January,” adds Berendt. In fact, Sealed Air will formally present the five-year results to industry at MEDTEC. Visit the company on stand #490.
Sandvik Breaks into Sustainability
Top 10 Materials supplier Sandvik (Sandviken, Sweden;
www.sandvik.com) has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and pan-European Dow Jones STOXX Sustainability Index. This puts Sandvik in the top 10% of global companies combining financial profitability with concern for environmental and social affairs. Both indices are reviewed annually and are based on a thorough analysis of companies’ corporate, economic, environmental, and social performance. This includes issues such as corporate governance, risk management, impact on climate change, and supply-chain standards. Tord Lendau, general manager of Sandvik MedTech (www.smt. sandvik.com), partly attributes the company’s success to its collaborative approach. “We work in partnership with customers to develop innovative solutions for their design and engineering challenges. Increasingly, this involves working to reduce the environmental impact of developing, producing, and distributing their products,” says Lendau. Sandvik manufactures investment castings, forgings, and finished medical implants and instruments for the OEM joint replacement and spinal markets, and it supplies Bioline hightechnology materials for medical and dental applications. Over the last 12 months, Sandvik has introduced a number of technologies, processes, and initiatives designed to help its customers and itself minimize energy consumption and reduce waste. These include investment in digital x-ray technology and the introduction of a more energy-efficient casting method called Envirocast. The company is exhibiting on stand #1831.
Leister Showcases Line-Beam Lasers for Mask Welding Operations
A new generation of line-beam laser sources will be presented to MEDTEC attendees by Leister Process Technologies (Kaegiswil, Switzerland;
www.leister.com). The LineBeam AT series is designed for mask welding plastic parts such as microwell plates and microfluidic devices. The modular systems allow for seven different lengths of line from 20 to 100 mm and 150 or 300 W of optical power. Consistent distribution of energy density ensures homogenous weld seams even in broad welding applications. Several so-called smart features are incorporated within the modules including numerous sensors, reverse voltage protection, an interlock switch, and shutter. In addition to mask welding, the line beam is suitable for producing broad weld seams in textiles, fabrics, and packaging, and for endless and high-speed applications when combined with the company’s Novolas laser system. Leister will be showcasing the systems on stand #1690.
Raumedic Focuses on Improving Surface Functionality
The surfaces of biomaterials such as soft PVC, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyamides, and silicones may promote tissue adhesion or catheter encrustation, among other undesirable results, unless they are properly treated. MEDTEC exhibitor Raumedic AG (Helmbrechts, Germany;
www. raumedic.com) has done extensive research on finding ways to improve surface functionality on polymeric materials used for medical applications. In response to customer requests, specific research has focused on increasing lubricity, reducing tissue adhesion and encrustation, and improving chemical and mechanical resistance. By applying appropriate coatings to tubing, for example, the company was able to show demonstrable improvement in dynamic friction values compared with noncoated tubes. Test results carried out in accordance with ISO 8295 are available from the company. Meet with Raumedic on stand #537.
