Extrusion and Tube Processing 14821

Originally Published MPMNSeptember 2003

EQUIPMENT NEWS

Extrusion and Tube Processing

Tube Expander Eliminates Split Ends

For difficult-to-expand tubing, Lakeview Equipment Inc.'s tube expander facilitates the expansion without splitting the ends. The Model 685H hot-jaw tubing expander features a threaded stop, permitting the width to be adjusted to customer requirements. With tip heat controllable up to 350°F, the unit is suitable for vinyl, Teflon, polyurethane, and polyethylene tubing. 

Standard jaws are available from 1¼16 to 3¼8 in., with other sizes and configurations customizable. Operated on 60 Hz and at 60-100 psi, the expander's assembly includes a foot pedal with a regulator and air gauge.
Lakeview Equipment Inc., 3382 Commercial Ave., North Brook, IL 60062.


Portable Tubing Coiler Offers Automatic Assembly

A tubing coiler's automatic features improve the process of measuring, cutting, and banding together various diameters of flexible tubing. The Model 520 tubing coiler from Castle Engineering Co. pulls the tubing from a spool onto two adjustable posts, retains the shape, and cuts the coiled assembly from the machine. With the capability to produce coils measuring from 21 to 172 in. in length, the machine assembles up to 1800 units per hour. The machine is portable, requiring 115 V electrical power and an 80-psi air supply. Customers can also choose to have connector fittings automatically installed into the tubing ends. 
Castle Engineering Co., 400 Corporate Cir., Unit N, Golden, CO 80401.


Extruders Are Redesigned for Improved Functionality

Welex Inc. reformed its line of Mark I extruders to meet global market requirements, adding more functions to the medical tubing and custom profile extrusion equipment. Ac vector drives are now standard, reducing maintenance and improving energy efficiency. Operator controls have also been updated with communication outputs available for programmable logic controller integration. Single-bolt quick-release clamps have been added to the products to enable quick die, screw, and screen changes. Feed-hopper sampling chutes and shut-off slides have also been updated. The extruders are available in sizes ranging from 11¼4 to 31¼2 in. 
Welex Inc., 850 Jolly Rd., Blue Bell, PA 19422.
 

Tube Sealer Creates Hermetic End Seals

With an operating frequency of 20 kHz and generator output of 3000 W, Stapla Ultrasonics Corp.'s K1 plastic-tube sealer produces clean, wrinkle-free seals for thermoplastic and laminate tubes. The sealer operates using only one button, which sets all the relevant welding parameters. Once the data are programmed, the system automatically maintains the preset information. 

Designed for production environments, the product can be installed on filling stations and connected to external control units. The sealer incorporates the company's technology originally developed for its K1 high-precision ultrasonic plastic welder. 
Stapla Ultrasonics Corp., 375 Ballardvale St., Wilmington, MA 01876.


Precision System Laser Cuts Stents

A laser cutting system developed by Rofin-Sinar Inc. provides precise cutting for the delicate process of manufacturing intracoronary stents. Used for alleviating vasoconstriction and angioplasty, the stents created by the StarCut cutting system exhibit widths of less than 20 µm with nearly dross-free edge quality. No internal water cooling is needed in the tube. 

Operated by CNC, the Class I system is capable of cutting complex geometries from a thin-walled steel tube measuring 1.0-10.0 mm diam. A precision of contour within 5 µm is achieved, and the system reaches a cutting speedup to 50 mm/sec. 
Rofin-Sinar Inc., 40984 Concept Dr., Plymouth, MI 48170.


Extrusion Bump Puller Enables Programmable Control

A new puller from Engineering by Design works with existing extruders to automatically form plastic tubing with diameter changes such as bulges, bumps, balloons, or tapers while compensating for process variations. The unit incorporates a new design featuring a menu-selectable base and programmable logic controller-based alphanumeric touch screen. Extruded plastic tubes can be precisely sized by varying pull speed and extrusion die air pressure. After the profile is formed, it is measured, and the speed and pressure are automatically adjusted as needed. The bump extrusion puller cuts any length with a bump process speed of 250 ft/min, and is capable of noncontact measurements in 0.06-in. increments at 30 ft/min. The bump profile control includes base and bump diameter, bump length, and taper transitions. With measurements sensed by a laser micrometer or vision camera, the puller is suitable for products with outside diameters ranging in size from 0.02-0.38 in. 
Engineering by Design, 2123-D Bering Dr., San Jose, CA 95131.


In-Line Tubing Dies Offer Customized Tooling Capabilities

A new series of in-line tubing dies from Guill Tool & Engineering Company, Inc., is designed for polymer or rubber hoseor pipe extrusion ranging from 0.005-8.0 in. in diameter. The Series 900 is capable of achieving concentricity, reducing the amount of material usage. With the option of running one to five layers simultaneously, the product's in-line- designed heads reduce spider lines and allow room for more air. The series's adjustable die holder and cartridge-style ball assembly does not require the loosening of retaining screws to make adjustments. Its positive seal system also eliminates leakage between deflectors, self-aligns to decrease operator error, and is adaptable to a variety of specific extruder-layout configurations. 
Guill Tool & Engineering Company, Inc., 10 Pike St., West Warwick, RI 02893.

The Series 900 in-line dies from Guill Tool & Engineering Company, Inc., enable tooling for polymer or rubber applications. 

Catheter-Tipping Equipment Delivers RF Energy

With the release of a catheter-manufacturing equipment line, Sebra offers a new option for tipping, welding, and flaring. Using closed-loop temperature control, PIRF III delivers heat to multiple-cavity molds suitable for high-volume productionof urinary and tracheal catheters. Using technology that incorporates electronic and mechanical components, the product provides energy for each cycle. 
Sebra, 100 N. Tucson Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716.
Schoolhouse Rd., Souderton, PA 18964.


Motion Controllers Increase Lasers' Flexibility

Lasag Industrial's CNC motion controllers are matched with precision lasers to enable flexibility in medical device design. The KLS 246 pulsed Nd:YAG lasers feature a modular design, a gold-ellipse optical cavity, small beam size, and no-contact processing.
Suitable for cutting, welding, drilling, marking, and removing of materials, the product offers a conventional or fiber beam delivery with up to six outputs. The laser's power ranges from 15-250 W. It has a pulse length of 0.012-20.0 milliseconds, pulse repetition maximum of 1000-5000 Hz, and pulse energy maximum of 0.18-50 J. 
Lasag Industrial, 601 Campus Dr., Ste. B-5, Arlington Height, IL 60004.


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