devicelink.com - Medical Device Link Product News

Wire and Tubing Services

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A manufacturer of straightened and cut fine wire and tubing components for the medical device industry has updated its Web site. The site provides key information about the company�s products and services, including a comprehensive product overview of available mandrels, stylets, core wires, and PTFE-coated hypotubes. It also provides descriptions of the company�s services, including straightening and cutting, precision grinding, wire forming, and PTFE-coated wire and tubing. Individualized pricing quotes may be requested. Visitors to the site may also obtain detailed information about the company�s program that offers overnight delivery of stainless-steel wire, PTFE-coated stainless-steel wire, and engineering kits for research and development. Wytech Industries Inc., Rahway, NJ.

Irrigation Pump

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

An irrigation pump is suitable for dental applications that require frequent tube changes. The 313D aseptic pump head provides continuous tubing and has flow rates from 0.25 to 3000 ml/min. Options include an open indicator switch, fixed or variable tube clamps, and private labeling. The sanitary pumps have no valves or seals and can run without dry damage. Extension heads are available to stack up to six pump heads on a single drive. Gearmotor drives come in ac, dc, stepper motor, and brushless dc configurations. The pump can be customized to work with any pump-grade tubing. The company makes tubing in USP Class VI�approved materials. Tube materials are available in 12 standard sizes to match flow range, pressure, and suction requirements. Watson-Marlow Bredel Inc., Wilmington, MA.

Coolant and Lubricant Mixing Stations

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

For medical device manufacturers with strict requirements for metals, such as those that machine titanium for implants, a series of mixing stations blend and dispense cutting and forming fluids. Manufacturers can use the stations to automate the mixing and supply of fluids and lubricants to one or more metal-forming or machining stations. Standard features on the central supply mixing station include a programmable logic controller, adjustable outlet pressure, multiple alarm conditions, a 10-µm water filter, and removable enclosure. The station produces concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 37% depending on viscosity, and delivers up to 3 gal of fluid per minute. A stainless-steel enclosure is optional on the manual mixing station, which has a maximum concentration of 17% and dispenses up to 7 gal/min. UNIST Inc., Grand Rapids, MI.

Device-Networking Coprocessors

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A family of turnkey networking-coprocessor system-on-chip (SoC) devices gives OEMs an option for embedding serial-to-Ethernet connectivity and Web services in high-volume, cost-sensitive products with microcontrollers so that they can be managed remotely over the Internet. Incorporating royalty-free application and network firmware, the small DeviceLinx XChip SoCs help OEMs get new products to market quickly because virtually no additional coding and no licensing commitment is necessary, according to the company. As dedicated networking coprocessors, these single-chip Ethernet Web servers enable host microcontrollers that have limited functionality to operate at maximum capacity without the burden of network processing overhead. Constructed using the industry-standard CMOS process, the devices are highly integrated x86-class processors that include a built-in Ethernet MAC and 10�100 PHY, 256-Kbyte zero-wait-state SRAM, up to 11 general-purpose I/Os, and a high-performance serial UART in a 12 × 12-mm 184-BGA RoHS-compliant package. The family includes an embedded device gateway coprocessor, an embedded device server coprocessor, and an embedded programmable device server coprocessor. Lantronix Inc., Irvine, CA.

Press-Fit Pin Connectors

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A renovated line of smooth-sliding, fast-holding press-fit electronic connectors features compliant pin technology that allows solderless mating of PCBs. The lead-free OEM devices provide connections that withstand thermal shock, vibration, and humidity and, with the close-tolerance milling of the rugged pins, now slide smoothly into plated through-holes. A design that limits the insertion force necessary for snug connection enables connectors with numerous pins to be inserted easily while also eliminating the scraping of particulate debris from the through-holes. Available in standard and custom versions, the connectors can be used in delicate devices and harsh environments. They can be reinserted reliably for more than a thousand cycles. The connectors are specified to deliver dc to 10 GHz with pin-to-pin capacitance as low as 1 pF, inductance as low as 2 nH, and connection resistance below 10 mÙ. Onanon Inc., Milpitas, CA.

Custom Flow Tubes

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Flow tubes manufactured from glass and quartz to customer specifications are tested to ensure that they meet exacting requirements for critical-flow monitoring. In addition to producing custom tubes that meet stringent industry standards, the supplier can develop the tooling needed to reproduce existing flow tubes. QA flow measurements are made with digital direct-reading flowmeters. The manufacturer is equipped with flow calibration support capabilities that ensure traceability to NIST standards. Laser micrometers are used to measure the accuracy of tube fabrication to ±0.000020 in., and both statistical process control and traditional bench checking are employed for QA throughout the production process. Andrews Glass Co., Vineland, NJ.

Adjustable Workstation

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

An adjustable-height workstation suited for tasks in quality assurance, calibration, and research and development is designed for ergonomic comfort and functional flexibility. With a work surface adjustable to any height between 251⁄2 and 411⁄2 in. from the floor, the Align station accommodates the worker rather than the other way around, and thus can help maximize worker productivity. The work surface height can be set exactly where the employee�s reach zone is optimized in order to minimize fatigue, stress, and the potential for injury. Available with butcher block, plastic laminate, and static-dissipative work surfaces, the workstation can be height-adjusted by means of a motorized, hand-cranked, or slide-leg base. It supports up to 1000 lb. Lista International Corp., Holliston, MA.

Overwrap Laminate

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A solventless laminated overwrap material is available for primary and secondary packaging applications, including secondary packages for medical devices, transdermal patches, vials, and other similar items. Consisting of an outer layer of 48-gauge polyester, a middle layer of 48-gauge metallized polyester, and a 0.015-in. inner layer of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), Flexi-Free 6836 is suited for uses in which very good barrier performance is required but not the other high-performance characteristics of more-expensive foil-based structures. The LLDPE layer serves to enhance puncture resistance and sealing properties, while the clear top layer can be printed flexographically on the reverse side. The material can be machined on high-speed form-fill-seal machines. The manufacturer�s use of custom-designed laminating equipment coupled with new adhesive technology makes possible a solventless structure that can handle high-performance applications without delaminating at the adhesive bonding point. Ampac Flexibles, Cincinnati, OH.

Enterprise-Wide Operational Software

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

An element of an integrated suite of production and performance software for life science companies facilitates connection of plant floor applications with high-level business systems to support informed and timely decision making. FactoryTalk Integrator offers both vertical and horizontal integration, making sharing and viewing of process data across all levels of an enterprise efficient. It integrates not only with other of the software provider�s applications but also with virtually any other system for transmitting data and exchanging transactions. The software�s modular framework enables manufacturers to process information required by a manufacturing execution system directly, including recipes, schedules, and work orders. It supports such open industry-standard communication channels as XML, COM, and J2EE; incorporates IBM�s WebSphere middleware to enhance connectivity with common enterprise resource planning applications; and is built on a service-oriented architecture that leverages information technology assets. Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee, WI.

Backlit Conveyors

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Internally backlit conveyors are designed to make visual inspection more accurate and efficient. Featuring a translucent, light-transmitting belt and a low-profile, open-side design that saves space, the AccuVision conveyors use shock- and vibration-resistant high-intensity LED modules to generate a uniform light field that clearly illuminates part shapes for automatic or manual inspection. The conveyors come in a selection of belt widths between 2.5 and 24 in. and with light fields in six widths between 2 and 12 in. and five lengths of 6 to 30 in. The white- or red-light LEDs are free of frequency oscillation, making them suitable for systems using high-speed digital cameras. The conveyor bridge is just 2.28 in. high with the LED module mounted inside. Conveyors are offered with fixed-speed, variable-speed, and indexing drives with controlled acceleration and deceleration. Conveyor Technologies Ltd., Milford, OH.

Toolholders

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A line of mininut ER toolholders is designed to eliminate clearance problems in tight machining applications that standard ER nuts cannot accommodate. Nut diameters range from 0.63 to 1.02 in. in the ER11-, ER16-, and ER20-size holders, which are suited for CAT40, CAT50, BT30, and BT40 machine spindles. The toolholders are engineered to maximize cutting-tool life; each taper is precision-ground to exceed AT3 industry standards, and the runout measured from the outside of the taper to the inside of the collet pocket is a maximum of 0.0001 in. The holders are factory balanced to 18,000 rpm at 2.5 g, each of them then being individually laboratory tested for accuracy and balance. Techniks Inc., Indianapolis, IN.

Male Pin Headers

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Single in-line package (SIP) and strip male pin headers feature sturdy 0.040-in.-diam leads and mate to standard SIP and strip female sockets available from the manufacturer. The double-row connectors are offered standard in
8-position (2 × 4) to 100-position (2 × 50) configurations on 0.100-in. spacing. The pairing of header and socket creates a stiff, rugged, high-force, high-current interconnection between two boards that is rated at 8 A per position and resists separation and walkout. Low-profile 0.071-in.-thick insulators are made of high-temperature thermoplastic, and the header pins are precision-machined from a brass alloy featuring strength, conductivity, and thermal properties. Standard and RoHS-compliant plating options are available. Mill-Max Mfg. Corp., Oyster Bay, NY.

Gauging Transducer

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A position transducer that is offered either as a stand-alone element or as a component of a custom-designed assembly comes in measuring ranges of ±0.2 and ±0.4 mm. With dimensions of 5 × 5 × 15 mm, the IET transducer is suited for direct measurement of deep and shallow bores and grooves and for many other once-difficult gauging applications that can benefit from this sensor�s ultracompact size. The transducer consists of a basic body equipped with a coil system and with a spring-loaded rocker carrying the sensing element, the design of the latter giving medical device OEMs application latitude. Sensing elements range from hard metal over ruby and silicium nitride to silicium carbide. Being free of mechanical friction and hysteresis, the gauging transducer is suitable for highly dynamic measuring tasks. Euro-Tech Corp., Menomonee Falls, WI.

Toolholder

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A high-performance collet system that operates at up to 40,000 rpm supports high-accuracy machining that results in ultrasmooth part surface finishes. The design characteristics of the VC toolholder make possible runout of just 0.00012 in. with tools whose length is four times their diameter. The collet system�s slim, smooth profile eliminates noise related to high-speed rotation, and it minimizes the air current that most other toolholders create with their peripheral hex nuts and slots. A groove under the nut serves to dampen microharmonic vibrations. Available in 30-, 40-, and 50-taper sizes and in HSK and Nikken 3-Lock models, the toolholder is designed for rigidity and static stiffness, and its 8° collet design enhances the gripping torque. The device does not require fixtures or couplings for installing collets or removing them from nuts. Lyndex-Nikken Inc., Mundelein, IL.

Motion Control Couplings

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Three new sizes have been added to both the single- and double-flex models in a line of cleanroom-compatible couplings for motion control systems used in medical equipment, packaging equipment, laboratory automation, and any other application involving ball screws and servomotors. Providing higher torsional stiffness than previous models, the new zero-backlash ServoClass couplings are designed to handle high-speed reversing loads and precise positioning requirements in demanding servomotor applications. They handle bore diameters of 0.875 to 1.378 in. and operating torque from 3937 to 9843 in.-lb. Made from RoHS-compliant materials, the lightweight couplings are designed with Type 304 stainless-steel disk packs and 7075-T6 aluminum hubs and center members. All 11 sizes in the series, and all models, feature clamp-style hubs with corrosion-resistant socket-head cap screws. Inch and metric sizes are available. Zero-Max Inc., Plymouth, MI.

Rapid Prototyping Manufacturing System

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

An additive fabrication system for prototyping and direct digital manufacturing is designed to exhibit the same accuracy and repeatability as the manufacturer�s existing high-performance systems. It is available at a lower price because it is slower and has fewer features than its precursors. The FDM 360mc additive fabrication system employs the rapid prototyping process known as fused deposition modeling. It can satisfy the material specifications of demanding applications, building with ABS-M30. The material is designed to provide greater tensile, impact, and flexural strength than standard ABS, and is thus suitable for making prototypes for functional testing, and even production parts, according to the company. The manufacturer has made the machine�s extrusion head gantry sufficiently straight and stiff to hold a tight positional accuracy so that high-tolerance parts can be generated. The system comes standard with a build envelope of 14 × 10 × 10 in., which can be upgraded to 16 × 14 × 16 in. Stratasys Inc., Eden Prairie, MN.

Single-Use Process Systems

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Systems consisting of silicone tubing, molded silicone components, and other processing-related parts are available to pharmaceutical product manufacturers and others seeking a productivity assist in the area of single-use technology. These single-use process systems may specifically comprise such components as platinum-cured silicone tubing, hose, and such molded silicone parts as Tri-Clamp fittings, container seals, and bottle stoppers, which may be integrated with bottles, bags, valves, and the like into a single-use system supplied as a ready-to-use finished product. Unlike traditional stainless-steel systems, they offer little risk of product cross-contamination, minimal production downtime for cleaning, simple cleaning validation procedures, and flexibility with respect to changes in the processing system. The ready-made systems can save on material and labor costs and have the attraction of single-source cleanroom manufacture and assembly. They can be provided with directly attached gamma-sterilizable RFID tags, which enable reliable electronic identification from manufacture through disposal. AdvantaPure, Southampton, PA.

Multitask Machining Equipment

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A compact multitasking machining center is suited for processing small, complex parts with round, square, or angular features, such as medical device parts and other high-precision components. Performing several operations with one setup, the Integrex i-150 allows five-axis surfacing with minimal operator intervention. Machine features include a horizontal 15-hp spindle for turning and c-axis control; an integral 10-hp, 12,000-rpm milling spindle mounted on the vertical rotating b-axis, which offers high-accuracy positioning and five-axis contouring through the range of �10° to 190°; ±3.94-in. y-axis travel; and a high-throughput feed rate of 1576 in./min in the x-, y-, and z-axes. A work-handling device that acts as both an NC tailstock and a work-holding vise picks a part from the spindle, indexes it for angled or backside operations, and unloads the finished part onto a conveyor. The operator-friendly machining center provides comprehensive machine intelligence, including vibration and thermal control modules, spindle monitoring, collision-avoidance simulation, and support systems for safety and maintenance. Mazak Corp., Florence, KY.

Electrical Isolators

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A range of isolators for ±6-kV electrical isolation feature infrared LEDs and NPN photodarlingtons packaged in a high-dielectric plastic housing and can provide isolation in contaminated environments. The OPI7320 and OPI7340 series of devices have typical 0.30-in. pin spacing and are pin-compatible with standard dual in-line packages. Users can substitute them for existing pins in upgrading their designs for medical equipment applications requiring high voltage isolation between input and output circuits. Offered with an LED peak wavelength of 890 or 935 nm, the isolators have a forward dc current of 50 mA and a reverse voltage of 2 V. Their power dissipation rating is 100 mW. Collector-emitter voltage for the output photodarlington is 15 V. TT electronics GmbH, Freising, Germany.

Injection-Moulded Components

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

An ISO 13485�certified OEM offers medical device manufacturers capabilities in injection moulding plastic components and finished devices, single-use products, and special fabrications. Starting each project with a customer-oriented consultation, the firm supplements its production competence with engineering services that include mould design and development, material selection, prototyping, and mould making. It carries out precision injection moulding and insert moulding operations in cleanrooms and also performs such secondary processing as high-frequency and ultrasonic welding and hot-foil stamping, packages products, subjects them to EtO or gamma sterilization procedures, and conducts a final check. Computer-aided production processes ensure that a high standard of precision is maintained even for very complex parts. The product range encompasses stopcocks, y-connectors, roller clamps, bottle hangers, in-line drip chambers, transfer spikes, and other device components. A. Hopf GmbH, Zirndorf, Germany.

Volumetric Dispensing Systems

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Dispensing systems that can deposit various liquid materials in small quantities based on volumetric dispensing are suitable for medical device assembly. The positive-displacement dispensers provide a constant repeatability that is independent of the viscosity of the material. Chief features of the technology are dispensing via piston pump, a piston and liner made of alumina, the absence of moving seals, a stepper-driven liner, and wetted parts made of PTFE, PVDF, polypropylene, V2A, and alumina. The manufacturer can incorporate a patented mixing device to allow the dynamic mixing of small volumes for two-component products; mixing time, mixing speed, and the size of the mixing chamber are variable. Standardized solutions for automating dispensing processes can be adapted to customer specifications. MTA Automation AG, Gals, Switzerland.

Cable Plugs

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A series of field-attachable 7⁄8-in. threaded connectors is now able to accept cables having an outside diameter as large as 14 mm, offering greater versatility in designs requiring connections for fieldbus applications. The redesigned 820-series cable plugs are available in cable outlet sizes of 8�
10 and 12�14 mm, accommodating a range of cable diameters from 6 to 14 mm. The plugs come with 3, 4, or 5 gold-plated contacts supporting up to 12 A each. As with the old design, the connectors provide protection rated to IP67 when fully mated. In addition, protective caps are available that enable the devices to maintain IP67 protection when they are not mated. Franz Binder GmbH & Co., Neckarsulm, Germany

Servo Drives

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Low-noise servo drives that meet stringent US FDA and FCC requirements are offered for use in medical equipment applications. Design features that enable the drives to meet these medical device standards include compact PCB-integrated flat-wire inductors for motor outputs and power inputs, common-mode filtering on logic supply input, PCB inter- and intralayer layout techniques that include grounding of separate circuitry stages, and decoupling capacitors at all drive interface points. The implementation of these design elements is intended to eliminate the need for external considerations and minimizes the complexity of integrating the drives into medical equipment. The design strategies enable this line of servo drives specifically to meet or exceed medical equipment standards for stand-alone FCC Class B compliance. Advanced Motion Controls, Camarillo, CA, USA.

Plastic-Additive Feeders

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A loading device for use with gravimetric feeders makes it possible to meter colourant or additive into a plastics-processing machine with high accuracy. MGF-series gravimetric feeders provide good precision, consistency, and data generation, and, in economic terms, compare favourably with volumetric feeders even when the advanced-technology loading system is combined with them. Their high accuracy enables moulders and extrusion processors to minimize colour and additive consumption, optimize product quality, and document colour usage for each production run. The feeders have throughput capacities as high as 16 kg/hr, and the loading device transports material to them from a drum or other container. The loader is designed to completely refill the feeder with colourant or additive upon receiving a signal that the moment for the refill has arrived. Maguire Europe, Tamworth, Staffs, UK.

Colour Inspection Cameras

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A range of multilinear 4096-pixel inspection cameras offers such advanced features as 10-µm two-pixel centre-to-centre row spacing, a line rate of 18 kHz, and enhanced blue response. Available in a trilinear RGB version and two quadrilinear versions�RGB with monochrome and RGB with near infrared�the EliiXA line-scan charge-coupled-device cameras provide true 4K colour resolution and a modulation transfer function that exceeds the capabilities of single- and dual-line cameras employing interpolation techniques. It can be positioned in the application at angles removed slightly from 90° relative to the object being inspected, and the boosting of its blue response through image sensor back-thinning gives the user a wide choice of lighting options. Designed for use in web inspection, circuit board surface inspection, and medical device or package inspection, the 70-mm-wide cameras are easy to calibrate and allow implementation in several modes. e2v Technologies plc, Chelmsford, Essex, UK.

Carbon-Fibre Composites

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Technical components for medical technology, machine building, and other industrial applications can be manufactured from carbon-fibre composites produced by a specialist company that offers expertise in conversion techniques as well as material properties. The company processes Sigrafil carbon fibres and thermosetting matrices into fibre composites, the various types of which are carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics (CFRP), carbon-fibre-reinforced carbon, and carbon-fibre-reinforced graphite. CFRP materials offer the advantages of high strength, good rigidity, low density, corrosion resistance, vibration resistance, and low thermal expansion. In machine applications, components made from CFRPs allow for high running speeds, display good fatigue resistance, run quietly, add low mass, and lend themselves to easy assembly and dismantling. In radiography applications specifically, they allow low-intensity x-rays to generate a high-resolution image. SGL Technologies GmbH, Meitingen, Germany.

Ethernet Switches

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A family of hardened Ethernet switches offers a full range of five- and eight-port managed and unmanaged network connectivity options for harsh industrial environments. The XPress-Pro SW line of DIN rail-mount switches is designed to connect industrial networking devices to an Ethernet network using 10/100Base T or optical fibre for a wireless connection range up to 2 km. The inclusion of both managed and unmanaged switches gives network managers the flexibility to adjust communication parameters to any desired setting. Designed to operate over a temperature range of �34° to 74°C, the switches comply with IEC 61000-6-2 for electromagnetic compatibility in industrial areas and offer a full wire-speed forwarding rate. The switches are available in two eight-port and one five-port series. Lantronix Inc., Irvine, CA, USA.

Rapid Prototyping Services

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A prototyping-service bureau is equipped with a stereolithography (SLA) rapid prototyping system that offers high-definition capability. The Viper S12, which is the third SLA now operating at the bureau, provides both standard and high-resolution build modes, building parts with a smooth surface finish, very good optical clarity, high accuracy, and thin, straight vertical walls. Suited for rapid modelling and prototyping, injection moulding, and investment casting of medical and surgical equipment components, the machine can add layers as thin as 0.05 mm, allowing for fine part definition and detail. It can construct parts as large as 10 in. in each dimension from a variety of functional SLA resins, including the latest ABS and polypropylene-simulating materials. The service provider�s other capabilities include selective laser sintering, vacuum casting, investment casting, CNC machining, and finishing. Laser Prototypes Europe Ltd., Belfast, UK.

PVC Compounder

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

An extrusion line feeding apparatus designed to enhance PVC granulation quality and performance is offered with about 20% greater internal capacity than the standard version available from the manufacturer. The expanded-volume quantec EV Kneader additionally increases residence time at the same operating speed, maximizing quality through improving dispersion on challenging PVC recipes. The redesigned apparatus has an internal barrel diameter 10% larger than other four-flight-screw Kneaders in the product family, while the screw-core diameter is unchanged; also, the external barrel diameter is unchanged, because thickness of the liner shell has been reduced. This model is well suited for processing clear, soft PVC used in medical tubing because the longer residence time allows a 10°C temperature reduction. It is also appropriate for compounding rigid PVC with high filler content and PVC for direct calender feeding. In the latter case, it provides better mixing characteristics across the throughput range because of the larger barrel capacity. Buss AG, Pratteln, Switzerland.

Offshore contract manufacturing

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A US-headquartered contract manufacturer specializing in the outsourced production of control consoles and other box builds, medical instrumentation, single-use disposable medical devices, printed circuit board assemblies, moulded plastic parts, and other mechanical and disposable components and subassemblies for the medical device industry operates a US FDA�registered production facility in China. The recently constructed 120,000-sq-ft production site has a controlled environment for medical device assembly that includes a Class 100,000 cleanroom. The company is also ISO 13485 certified. Sanbor Medical, Allentown, PA, USA.