Exhibitors during Virtual Engineering Week will showcase their ideas for tackling medtech engineering challenges and more.

MDDI Staff

November 26, 2020

10 Min Read
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Image by Colin Behrens from Pixabay

Hundreds of exhibitors will share their latest innovations for medtech, automation, design, packaging, plastics, and quality during Virtual Engineering Week, held November 30 through December 4. Attendees will be able to schedule 1:1 meetings, and see live demos, all online. Below is a preview of some of the solutions covered in sessions and on display.

 

Virtual Product Showcase

The following presentations from medtech exhibitors will explore new technologies and solutions:

Monday, November 30 | 10:45am - 11:00am
The Enabling Benefits of Micro Molding
Speaker: Aaron Johnson  (Accumold)
This presentation will explore the subtleties of micro molding and the keys for navigating a successful project. The presentation will define micro molding and how to approach design and will feature case study examples for review. 

Monday, November 30 | 11:45am - 12:00pm
Delta Modtech: Machines Engineered for Your Toughest Challenge
Speaker: Nick Schmidt  (Delta ModTech)
This presentation will feature a Delta ModTech converter running a complex medical product in-line with a packager. The system will feature a variety of processes including rotary die cutting, precise part placement, vision inspection, and heat seal pouching. 

Monday, November 30 | 2:15pm - 2:30pm
Technology to Overcome Engineering Challenges & Design a Ventilator
Speaker: Steven Murphy  (SolidXperts)
This presentation will explore the technology behind rapid product development by using Solidworks, 3DExperience, and Markforged 3D printers to overcome unique engineering challenges.

Monday, November 30 | 2:45pm - 3:00pm
Distributed I/O for Pneumatics & Electric Automation
Speaker: Sandro Quintero  (Festo Corp.)
This presentation will examine the possibility of consolidating modules such as digital I/O, analog I/O, pneumatics and IO Link. Topics include the creation of power zones and ease of implementation in multiple PLC platforms.

Tuesday, December 1 | 9:45am - 10:00am
Robotic Labeling Brings 21st Century Technology to Applying Barcode Labels on Products & Packages
Speaker: Mark Edwards  (Vanomation)
This presentation examines the potential mislabeling problems for products and packages that can occur with legacy systems receiving control data and print data on different paths that get out of sync. It will cover the potential solution of using robotic printer applicators that use the same path for control and print data. 

Tuesday, December 1 | 10:45am - 11:00am
Epson Vt6l All-In-One 6 Axis Robot
Speaker: Aaron Donlon  (Epson Robots)
This product tour and application demonstration features the VT6L all-in-one 6 axis robot. Suitable for pick and place, machine tending, packaging, dispensing, and assembly, Epson’s robot features a 6kg payload and 900mm reach industrial arm. It is available in cleanroom ISO4 and IP67 specs. 

Tuesday, December 1 | 11:45am - 12:00pm
The Engineers of Heat Shrink
Speakers: Robert Komma  (TE Connectivity), Matthew Osten  (TE Connectivity), Roberto Vidal  (TE Connectivity)
This presentation covers TE Connectivity's development programs in thermoplastics, PTFE etched liners, and FEP technology. The company has more than 60 years in polymeric science and will share how to turn clinical challenges into technical innovations. 

Wednesday, December 2 | 9:45am - 10:00am
Dino-Lite Digital Microscopes in Manufacturing
Speaker: Kerie Roark  (Dino-Lite US)
This discussion will cover the advantages of using Dino-Lite products and software to assist in research, development, quality control, and non-destructive testing. Dino-Lite digital microscopes, eyepieces, and the associated software can expand visual inspection capabilities, improve research, development, and quality control while reducing cost. 

Wednesday, December 2 | 10:45am - 11:00am
Answering the Food & Pharma Industry's Problem to Missed Package Leaks
Speaker: Cole Laux  (INFICON)
This presentation explores testing flexible/rigid packages for costly leaks using the non-destructive Contura S-Series. It is part of series that was presented to the USDA on Capitol hill and could be a good starting point as quarantine restrictions are mitigated. 

Thursday, December 3 | 9:45am - 10:00am
PSN Relevance Across the Medical Device Product Life Cycle
Speaker: Corey Linden  (Plastics Services Network)
This presentation will explore how Plastics Services Network (PSN), an ISO 9001:2015 certified engineering firm, can help from concept to post-market phases. It has three main business units: an Engineering Design Center, a Material Processing Lab, and an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certified Testing Laboratory. Its Engineering Services group can work closely with companies to develop and design to the exact specifications needed for optimal functionality. Its Processing Lab can create the exact formula needed for your material and create prototypes to test the manufacturability, and its Testing Laboratory is capable of analyzing the life-cycle, form, and function.

 

Be sure to check out solutions from these other exhibitors:

Boston Micro Fabrication - BMF

For micro 3D printing, the microArch S240 offers fast printing speeds, a large build volume, and the ability to print with engineering-grade materials. The system uses BMF’s patented projection micro stereolithography technology and is suited for production of larger parts and higher throughputs. Its advanced roller system spreads layers in seconds, resulting in build speeds of up to 10x faster. The microArch S240 can also handle higher viscosity materials, up to 20,000 Cp, resulting in the production of stronger, functional parts.

 

KNF Neuberger Inc.

The FP 150 is the smallest addition to a growing family of KNF low-pulsation liquid diaphragm pumps. With a flow rate of 0.2 – 1.5 L/min, the new FP 150 extends the full line’s linearly-controllable flow rate range from 0.2 – 12.4 L/min. These pumps are suited for recirculation applications that benefit from smooth, gentle flow, such as medical devices, cleaning and disinfection, 3D printing, and more.

KNF low-pulsation pumps combine the advantages of diaphragm liquid-pump technology with pulsation levels comparable to gear pumps. They are self-priming, have run-dry ability, and provide long, maintenance-free lifetimes even under continuous-operation conditions.

 

Snaptron

The RCG-Series is a four-legged dome featuring a unique ring in the center that can reduce impact from contamination, assembly tolerances, or off-centered presses. For instance, the RCG dome could address a crucial pain point for engineers—the loss of electrical contact between the dome and board due to the buildup of debris. This “ring” feature provides a 360-degree ring of contact, which minimizes the impact of contaminants. When debris obstructs the circuit in one area, the ring still makes contact in another area. This feature also ensures that electrical contact is maintained even with off-center actuations. Another feature of the RCG dome is its ability to activate multiple independent circuits. A fingered center pad allows for two or more circuits to be contacted at the same time.

 

RTP Company

RTP Company offers a wide range of materials designed for surgical robotic systems, including moving parts, monitors, single or reusable instruments, and staplers. The company’s thermoplastic compounds can provide mechanical performance, durability, and wear resistance, while meeting demands for reusable sterilization, chemical resistance, aesthetics, and cost reduction. Most materials can offer some level of biocompatibility support and formulation change control to ensure that required specifications are met.

 

Busch Vacuum Technics Inc.

Designed for Industry 4.0, the fully connected Busch R 5 PLUS series vacuum pump offers advanced control and monitoring functionalities. Operating data and the condition of the components can be recorded permanently, and data can be accessed or transferred via a Modbus TCP/IP client/server protocol. Such capabilities enable an intuitive menu structure on the large high-definition color display and remote control of the vacuum pump.

The vacuum pumps operate within a large pumping speed range, thanks to a variable speed drive. For operating modes, users can choose either constant speed mode or pressure control mode, making the vacuum pump energy-efficient. The company says the benefits from using Busch R 5 PLUS series vacuum pump include maintenance planning, reduced operating costs, and increased uptime.

 

Pipeline Design and Engineering

Pipeline has developed a full suite of equipment for reprocessing medical devices (especially catheters and surgical instruments) that can save reprocessing companies time by eliminating the need for developing customized fixtures and machines. The equipment and fixtures have already been designed, tested, and validated and intended to enable companies to accelerate operations not just by weeks but by months.

Pipeline claims the “reprocessing space is fast becoming a strategic operational investment for companies worldwide, and like any competitive landscape those who get their first have an increased chance of becoming dominant in the industry.”

 

EpoxySet Inc.

Flash Bond UV-5608DC, a light-activated delay-cure epoxy, is designed to enable fast processing and fixturing of parts even if both parts are opaque. The epoxy is activated by 365 to 405nm light with an intensity of 150mW/cm2 for 5 seconds. Parts can be mated together and aligned within 45 sec, and parts can be handled in 30 mins. No mixing is required.

The epoxy produces a high-strength bond with low cure shrinkage and a glass transition temperature of over 80°C. Cured product exhibits thermal, water, and chemical resistance. 

Applications include optical components, optical alignment, fibers, lenses, prisms, and other electronic components where low shrinkage and low outgassing are required. It is suited for ferrite core bonding, magnetics, and general assembly.
 

Sekisui Kydex LLC

Whether it’s matching color, texture, or maintaining a like new appearance over time, when parts for medical device housings are from different sources, achieving visual consistency among materials can be difficult, according to Sekisui Kydex LLC.

Kydex Injection Molding materials are formulated thermoplastic alloys that share the same durable, chemical-resistant physical properties as Kydex thermoplastic sheet. The injection molding materials are designed with integral color and can be specifically engineered to match Kydex thermoformed parts to create and maintain an overall seamless aesthetic and resist staining and degradation caused by disinfectants. 
 

Parker LORD (Subsidiary of Parker Hannifin Corporation)

Chemlok 3Stream is an adhesion-promoting additive that can impart self-bonding properties to non-self-bonding LSR. Using Chemlok 3Stream could result in up to 50% cost savings and the ability to bond to nearly all LSRs, according to the company. Chemlok 3Stream additive can be incorporated into injection molding processes by adding the additive via a standard third stream pump, similar to a colorant. 
 

Oliver Healthcare Packaging 

Oliver Healthcare Packaging offers HDPE CleanCut Cards that can be custom designed and manufactured to safely secure medical devices, protect against damage and contamination, and allow for ease of aseptic transfer. Produced in an ISO 7 and ISO 8 cleanroom environment, CleanCut Cards are manufactured to your device’s unique requirements while being an efficient and cost-effective packaging solution. Various sizes with endless retention elements and design flexibility are possible to accommodate the smallest components to the extra-long catheters.

Designed to ship and store flat, the HDPE CleanCut Cards meet the Packaging Waste Directive for limiting packaging weight and volume as well as green initiatives for the utilization of recyclable packaging materials.

 

Boyd Corporation

Boyd Corp. has manufactured more than 73,000,000 face shields and has supported the donation of 1.2 million face shields to front-line workers across the country. Face shields are essential pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) that help prevent the spread of pathogens. They can also help protect the face and eyes from harmful splashes, sprays, or airborne particulates while still maintaining functional optical clarity for visibility, according to the company. Many face shields incorporate adhesive foam cushions on the forehead that hold the transparent moisture barrier away from the user’s face. This enables the continued use of additional protective equipment such as safety goggles and particulate masks for multiple layers and levels of personal protection. 

 

Light Conversion

The CARBIDE 80 W, 800 µJ laser with BiBurst option can be used mainly for drilling and cutting various metals, ceramics, sapphire, and glass, as well as material ablation for mass-spectrometry, and many other applications. The ultra-compact and cost-efficient CARBIDE features output parameters and a robust design that has been used in production environment systems operating 24/7.

The CARBIDE 80 W, 800 µJ laser with BiBurst option was announced as the Platinum Honoree at 2020 Laser Focus World Innovators Awards. 

 

TE Connectivity

TE Connectivity offers etched PTFE tubing, which can provide a lubricious lining to catheters that require a very thin wall with a low-friction ID. TE offers extremely tight tolerances with off-the-shelf product at ± 0.0005 in. A unique OD etching process can offer a better bond to the outer jacket of the delivery catheter. The company’s closed-loop manufacturing approach precisely controls the amount of “active” ingredient in the etchant to optimize bonding ability.
 

Endurica LLC

Endurica LLC has issued a new software release featuring aging simulation for elastomers. This feature lets users define tabular master curves that define the evolution of key material properties such as stiffness, critical tearing energy, and intrinsic strength (i.e., fatigue threshold). The simulation captures time-dependent changes in the fatigue crack growth rate law. It can also be coupled to a finite element solver to update stress and strain fields during the solution. Two new outputs for each element include age-equivalent time and age-influenced stiffness. The fatigue life distribution can also be output to determine the shortest lived element.

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