Originally Published MPMN June 2009

FOCUS ON EQUIPMENT

Catheter and Stent Fabrication

Short Crimper's Shape Improves Process

Building on gapless radial compression technology, a six-jaw short crimper is offered as an alternative to collet crimpers for stent-forming applications. A short crimper is defined by the supplier as one with a short working length, typically less than 10 mm, whereas a traditional stent crimper has a longer working length with more dies. Parts--including marker bands, electrical or mechanical ferrules, and mechanical bands--are radially compressed by the short crimper and formed into a hexagonal shape by the unit's six jaws. In marker band precrimping, the short crimper's hexagonal shape has been more effective at locking bands in position than flat or oval crimps, according to the supplier. Compared with collet crimpers, the short crimper covers a wider diameter range without tooling changes.
Blockwise Engineering
Phoenix
www.blockwise.com

Micromachining Unit Features Automatic Inspection

Designed for micromachining medical catheters and guidewires, a catheter processing workstation automatically inspects and sorts finished products. The Optec CR200 features an ultrashort-pulse UV excimer laser with an advanced beam delivery system. This system can machine precise features to an accuracy of 1.5 µm without producing debris or a heat-affected zone. Parts placed in the machine's feeder are loaded, positioned, indexed, and lasered from standard CAD file formats. A closed-loop energy-dosage monitor ensures control over and consistency of the size, shape, and depth of lasered features. The machine also has a variety of fixed and dynamic masks for the selective removal of coatings, as well as for skiving, cutting, and drilling precision holes and complex patterns.
Photon Machines Inc.
Redmond, WA
www.photon-machines.com

Catheter Coiler Redesigned for Smaller Wire

Specializing in catheter coiling systems that produce parts for guidewires, a company has enhanced its coiling machine to accommodate the industry need for coils made from platinum tungsten wire smaller than 0.002 in. in diam. The Micro-Coiler now features the company's Sub-Micro feed system, which enables users to produce coil from wire with ODs ranging from 0.001 to 0.007 in. Because changeover time is critical for the high production of such small parts, the company developed its Micro-Align tooling system for the coiling machine. The tooling system uses precision feed roll pressure control and microadjustment of the cutoff tool to reduce setup time from hours to minutes. The machine also can achieve precise tolerances on long coils.
Kine-Coil Division/Kinefac Group
Worcester, MA
www.microcoiler.com

Microburr-Removal Machine Won't Harm Parts

Suited for small medical device components, such as stents, a machine deburrs batches of ferrous and nonferrous parts that are produced on Swiss-type screw machines and lathes. The sPINner machine features a stainless-steel pin that removes light burrs and microburrs without harming small parts. Because the pin mechanism is magnetically activated, it can deburr internal cavities, slots, holes, and blind holes. All parts are automatically demagnetized at the end of the deburring cycle. Different-sized pins are offered for various deburring requirements. To deburr hard materials, such as stainless steel, the supplier recommends using a pin that is larger than 0.5 mm in diam. Smaller-diameter pins are recommended for softer materials, including brass, copper, aluminum, and gold. Fully programmable for hands-free operation, the machine is offered in three sizes to deburr small, medium, and large batches of parts.
Earth Chain
Indianapolis
www.earthchain.com

For more features on catheter and stent fabrication equipment, go to devicelink.com/mpmn/equipment
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