MPMN October
The structural characteristics of medical textiles are more similar to the human anatomy than those of rigid polymers and metals. In turn, textiles can promote healing with fewer complications because of the way that the body interacts with them. Because of these attributes, medical textiles are moving beyond their conventional use in sutures and dressings to become the go-to niche material for OEMs whose applications require flexibility, strength, and possibly even the ability to disappear. MPMN explores medical textiles in a special Need to Know: Trend Watch feature. Also in this issue are a Spotlight on plastics and elastomers, a Product Update on motors, coverage of MD&M Minneapolis first-time exhibitors, and more!
Webcast
Register now for MPMN’s FREE Webcast, “Improving Process Control in Medical Device Assembly”
As today’s medical devices continue to pack more features into ever-smaller packages, manufacturers must find new ways to apply adhesives, coatings, and other assembly fluids in smaller, more-precise amounts than before.
Air-powered dispensing equipment provides a cost-effective way to improve process control by making it possible to put the same amount of fluid on every part, every time. Additional benefits include faster throughput, greater reliability, higher first-pass yields, and lower production costs.
Date: October 28, 2008
Time: 11:00 AM PDT/2:00 PM EDT
Products & Services
Rigid Electrically Conductive Film
A nontacky, self-supported, electrically conductive polymer film offers low z-axis resistance, a feature that is critical for accurate readings in sensitive medical biosensor and device applications.
NEMA Wiring Devices
A series of specification- and hospital-grade NEMA wiring devices enables fast and easy assembly of electrical terminations. Clamp-Lock devices avoid failures by using spring pressure—the application of a consistent amount of pressure that adjusts automatically to prevent the shifting of wire strands, or creep.
Electronically Commutated Motor
An electronically commutated (EC) motor achieves higher torque at slower speeds than similar-sized brushless dc motors, according to the manufacturer.
High-Speed Fourth Axis
A rotary fourth axis complements the speed and versatility of the Fanuc RoboDrill vertical machining center. By eliminating the positioning delays associated with traditional rotary tables, the Fanuc DDR/B reduces part cycle times.
Gang Tool Lathe
Used for fast and accurate small-parts turning, a gang tool lathe features a c-axis spindle, a superpolymer composite mineral base, and precision components.
In Brief
Granta Design (Cambridge, UK) is presenting seminars on managing and using materials information in Pittsburgh on Oct. 9, in Marseille, France, on Oct. 15, in Birmingham, UK, on Nov. 6, and in Munich on Nov. 26.…Vision-guided robotics provider Adept Technology (Livermore, CA) has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification for the design and manufacture of industrial robotics.…Atek Medical (Grand Rapids, MI), a contract manufacturer of disposable, implantable, and electromechanical medical devices, has redesigned its Web site to help customers identify and select the appropriate product lifecycle stage at which to engage the company’s services.…Helix Medical (Carpinteria, CA) has achieved Class 7 and 8 cleanroom certifications in accordance with ISO 14644 at its headquarters facility and ISO 13485:2003 certification at its Apec Asia manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, China.…A provider of medical device components and assemblies, MRPC (Butler, WI), has added two cleanrooms, one Class 10,000 and one Class 100,000, which will house four new molding machines.…A supplier of connectors and interconnect systems, FCI (Etters,PA), has launched a flex connector microsite featuring drawings and technical information to help customers find connectors for their design requirements.…Spectrum Plastics Group (Minneapolis) has installed two injection molding presses at its facility, one that works multiple molds for performing simultaneous operations and another that is electric and reduces energy consumption by 50–80% compared with hydraulic machines.
Ask the Expert
Electronics
Todd King is vice president of operations for EI Microcircuits, located in Mankato, MN. He has been active in electronics and manufacturing for 22 years. The company is an ISO 9001:2000–certified and ISO 13485-certified electronic manufacturing services (EMS) provider that has served the medical and industrial industries since 1984. A provider of turnkey services to large and small customers, the manufacturer specializes in low- to medium-volume printed circuit board (PCB) assembly services, including design, layout, and box-build assembly. Read more…
MD&M Minneapolis
Celebrating its 15th year serving the medical device manufacturing industry, MD&M Minneapolis will draw more than 7000 industry professionals to the Midwestern medtech mecca. MPMN provides you with preshow coverage of first-time exhibitors, trade show information, and travel tips and advice. Check back after the show for highlights and news from our editors. Read more…
Tech Update
Contract Manufacturers Get Active with Combination Products
Most contract manufacturers are adept at juggling and coordinating a variety of design, testing, and manufacturing tasks. This skill set is put to good use when tackling an OEM’s combination product, which can present double the challenges and regulatory requirements of typical devices. Among the challenges that contract manufacturers face are keeping up with the latest developments in drug delivery and adopting new technologies to get customers’ designs to market.
