January 12, 2010

4 Min Read
Surface Treatment

Tabletop Plasma Cleaners Meet Lab, Small-Scale Requirements

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Employed in laboratories and small-scale production settings, tabletop plasma cleaners and accessories are suitable for performing a variety of surface treatment operations, including nanoscale surface cleaning and sterilization, surface activation for enhanced biocompatibility, modification of surface-wetting properties for adhesion promotion, and polymeric grafting and coating. Featuring simple installation, ease of use, and a range of process capabilities, the plasma cleaners can be employed for microfluidic device fabrication and medical device and biomaterials research. In addition, they can clean a variety of materials, including biomaterials, polymers, metals, and ceramics.

Harrick Plasma Inc.
Ithaca, NY
www.harrickplasma.com



Gas Plasma Cleaning Systems Support Lean Manufacturing

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The latest in a series of configurable high-throughput gas plasma treatment and cleaning systems has a universal architecture that makes it suitable for lean medical device manufacturing environments. Offering high-speed automation, stand-alone capability, and cleanroom-compatible processing, the FlexTrak plasma system modifies surfaces using direct, downstream, or ion-free plasma. It can remove nanolevel contaminants, introduce specific functional groups, and deposit a variety of biocompatible coatings, making it suitable for noncompatible material bonding, stent cleaning and bonding, catheter bonding, hydrophilic treatment for drug dispensing, tack reduction of silicone-rubber molded parts, and fixture and component cleaning. Delivering reliable bonding and wettability, hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, lubricity, and biocompatibility, the system uses surface-modification technology to create the desired surface properties without affecting bulk material properties.

Nordson March
Concord, CA
www.nordsonmarch.com



Plasma Equipment Treats Catheters and Tubing

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A company's plasma surface-modification system offerings have been expanded to include a new catheter and tubing treatment system. Controlled by an Allen-Bradley Wonderware touch screen programmable logic controller with a graphical user interface offering FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, the PTS0700 allows for uniform treatment of products up to 76 in. long. The system features six removable trays and multiple gas and vapor injection inputs, allowing for processing and fixturing flexibility. It can be used for a range of plasma processes, including critical cleaning; activation for improved bonding, printing, and coating adhesion; and polymerization of thin films for polymers, elastomers, and metals.

Plasma Technology Systems LLC
Belmont, CA
www.plasmatechsystems.com



Portable Marking System Offers Generous Treatment Area

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Featuring a 2.2 × 2.5-in. marking area, a small, portable dot-peen marking system is designed for both handheld applications and for integration into existing and new machinery. The Mini Mark has preloaded lead screws and ball slides, ensuring machine-tool quality performance and durability. Twelve holes enable mounting flexibility at virtually any position or angle. In addition, detached controls feature embedded technology with Compact Flash card storage and LAN and RS-232 network connectivity. The system's Type & Mark function allows users to begin marking without first having to learn how to use new software or read complex manuals. Features such as graphic importing, 2-D data-matrix marking, and stick, dot, or radius fonts are included.

Kwik Mark Inc.
McHenry, IL
www.kwikmark.com



Parylene Conformal System Coats Elastomeric Parts

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Designed for static, fixtured coating of elastomeric parts, electronic circuits, medical components, tubing, and other assemblies, a vertical vacuum deposition system features a patented chamber design that makes it more efficient than conventional baffled chamber systems, according to the supplier. By eliminating baffles, the Model 4000V system delivers more usable chamber volume, decreases the amount of raw material required, and reduces the need for maintenance and cleaning. Additionally, the system's chamber and fixture design enables low coating-thickness gradients across substrate surfaces and ensures coatings with a low dimer content. Key system features include tangential-flow coating technology for film uniformity, production economy, and film clarity. The unit's vertical design makes it suitable for processing PCBs and other substrates.

Para Tech Coating Inc.
Aliso Viejo, CA
www.parylene.com

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