Originally Published September 2000

EQUIPMENT NEWS

Production & Assembly Equipment

RF welding dials

RF welding dials can be used to manufacture vascular intensifiers. Heated platens mounted on two 12-ft dials are used to bring the PVC or polyethylene material up to the proper temperature. The top sheet and loop material are loaded onto the first dial. After coming up to the proper temperature, an RF preseal is performed on the material. It is then transferred to the second dial where the bottom sheet and Velcro strips are added on prior to the final RF seal. A mechanical pick-and-place robot with vacuum grippers is used to transfer the material between dials. Evana Automation Specialists, 11878 Hubbard, Livonia, MI 48150.

Cylindrical magnetron system

A cylindrical magnetron system is suitable for a variety of coating applications. Some examples include coated electrical leads for pacemakers, hard and biocompatible coatings for guide wires and stents, tool coatings, molded plastic optics, and decorative coatings for objects such as faucets and knobs. The Cyclone system provides short cycle times, and it needs minimal cleaning and maintenance because most of the deposition material that is not deposited on the substrate is redeposited on the target. The cylindrical magnetron design allows high deposition rates, minimal downtime, and good target utilization. Ion Tech Inc., 2330 E. Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80525.

UV curing systems

A company's conveyor-style curing systems use medium- to high-intensity UV/visible light for fast curing of adhesives, coatings, and sealants. The new side- and top-mounted lamp configuration of the UVCS-6 Side Cure conveyors provides 180° direct exposure to UV curing energy. With lamps mounted overhead and on each side, the Side Cure conveyors illuminate surfaces and shadowed areas under components where light from top-mounted conveyors typically cannot reach. Dymax, 51 Greenwoods Rd., Torrington, CT 06790.

Assembly equipment for small parts

Assembly equipment for small parts provides flexibility and reliability through the use of standardized machine bases and custom tooling. The Flexcell, a cam-driven chassis, handles production rates of 60 or more cycles per minute. The Syfast, a system based on robotics or a process cell, handles a variety of parts and is easily reconfigured for future products. Mikron Corp., 562 Sable Blvd., Aurora, CO 80011.

Benchtop dispensing robot

Capable of dispensing epoxies, silicones, inks, solder pastes, adhesives, fluxes, greases, lubricants, potting compounds, or many other materials, a fully automatic benchtop robotic system allows for dispensing in any sequence of dots, circles, arcs, and lines. The Model 500-LN is equipped with dispensing software, a teach pendant, and a memory card. Mounting hardware, which allows for mounting of dispensing barrels, valves, or cartridges to the robot's z-axis, is also available. The robot's multiaxis configuration allows for full control of dispensing over 3-D objects. I&J Fisnar Inc., 2-07 Banta Pl., Fair Lawn, NJ 07410-3002.

Assembly systems

A manufacturer's systems incorporate the speed, accuracy, and reliability of cam actuation with the latest in testing and inspection technology. A variety of secondary processes include welding, testing, inspection, laser marking, and packaging. The unit shown here is an assembly module with vision inspection units, UV curing ovens, and an adhesive-dispensing station. Permanently-tubed tooling for contamination reduction is also available. Production rates vary for single-tooled machines from 50–60 ppm up to multitooled machines with much higher rates. Whether synchronous or nonsynchronous assembly is required, the manufacturer builds custom assembly and test solutions for the most demanding medical applications. Bodine Assembly & Test Systems, 317 Mountain Grove St., Bridgeport, CT 06605.

Stamping press

Offering a standard work area of 18 x 16 in., a high-velocity electromagnetic punch press can handle upper die sets weighing as much as 100 lb and can maintain stroke rates as fast as 330 per minute. The Model 400-OH achieves a number of performance benefits as a result of its high-velocity capability. The high speed of the punch leaves little time for the material to flow, and therefore minimizes or eliminates burrs, strings, and rolled-over edges. Suitable for in-line operation, the Model 400-OH functions with no hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical processes. Lourdes Systems Inc., 21 Newton Pl., Hauppauge, NY 11788.

Custom machinery

Production and assembly machinery for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries is available from a builder of custom equipment. The company says that it is small enough to move quickly, yet has the experience to handle the most challenging projects. Its expertise includes everything from design to validation documentation. It has built machines for assembling, filling, and packaging of depot syringes; filling and assembling inhalers; assembling and packaging surgical sutures; and fully automatic manufacturing of adhesive bandages and patches. Harro Hofliger Packaging Inc., 4 W. Oakland Ave., Doylestown, PA 18901.

Automation systems

A company designs and builds manufacturing automation systems to speed production, ensure quality, and automatically validate and document the quality of therapeutic and diagnostic medical devices. It offers solutions for systems integration, automation design, advanced inspection technologies, nondestructive testing, product labeling/identification systems, automated process validation, and future expansion. Multidisciplinary teams offer value-added design. CMED Automation, div. of Colorado MEDtech Inc., 1811 Lefthand Cir., Longmont, CO 80501.

Multitube expander workstations

Multitube expander workstations feature several models of tube expanders. The expanders are mounted on a rotary table to facilitate quick changes from one size to another, and up to three units can be assembled on a table. A common air line is used, switchable between units. The tube expanders are especially suitable for PVC, polyurethane, silicone, latex, rubber, and other elastomeric tubing. Lakeview Equipment Inc., 2010A Lehigh Ave., Glenview, IL 60025.

Automated assembly & process machinery

To widen its range of automated assembly and process machinery for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, a company has introduced a new line of automated packaging loaders. The machines enable product to be taken from assembly to cartoning automatically, thereby making the loading process faster and more economical while increasing reliability. Kahle Engineering Corp., P.O. Box 1494, Summit, NJ 07901.

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