Process results in strong seals and reduced costs

A servo-driven cross sealer makes pouch-type seals on lightweight monolayer blown films, an operation formerly only possible with multilayer plastics. The MS-CH-2 sealer from Amplas Inc. (Green Bay, WI) produces clear pouches with three sealed sides from these inexpensive materials at the rate of 60-100 cycles per second. This unique sealing process is made possible through the use of specially coated Teflon bands and a quick-release mechanism that eliminates sticking problems. Once formed, the pouches can be transferred to filling lines for product insertion and closure.

Manufactured by Amplas Inc., this sealer makes pouch-type seals using inexpensive monolayer films.

"All electronics, and specifically medical equipment, require thermal testing for proper functionality and reliable operation," says Advanced Thermal Solutions (Norwood, MA) CEO Kaveh Azar. "The CLWT-100 provides a controlled and reliable environment to allow for such testing." An integral part of thermal design for many electronic assemblies, wind tunnel testing permits experimental thermal analysis. The CLWT-100 closed-loop wind tunnel is capable of delivering airflows from 0 to 5 m/sec, simulating operating temperatures from -10° to 85°C, and operating at natural convection to 1000 ft/min of airflow.

Airflow temperature control is achieved using conventional heaters and refrigeration units. A Delrin frame thermally insulates the test section. Front and side windows made of heat-resistant, multilayer glass panes enable flow visualization. The test section is fitted with 24 ports that can accommodate a variety of cabling and measurement sensors. Adjustable fixturing is provided for specimen mounting. The unit can be adapted to perform tests that are not part of the standard package.

Katherine Sweeny

The CLWT-100 closed-loop wind tunnel from ATS can test the reliability of medical electronics.

Designed for laboratory and production use, a benchtop plasma system is suited for surface modification and cleaning of organic, metallic, and composite substrates. Developed by MetroLine Inc. (Corona, CA), the M4L RF system's applications include precision cleaning, adhesion enhancement, and surface modification of polymers.

The unit's networking capability allows users to program, monitor, and modify processing parameters from remote locations via Ethernet or the Internet. Features include a Windows-based, 10.4-in. color touch screen interface offering fully automatic control, multistep recipes, real-time graphic display, and real-time SPC monitoring. Process data can be examined on a variety of spreadsheet or statistics programs.

The aluminum chamber features a high-conductance KF 40 port, isolation valve, and shielded view port. The system's large 9 x 13 x 20-in. capacity allows simple loading of parts on trays. Complex shapes and small geometries can be repeatably plasma treated.

A benchtop plasma system can be programmed and monitored via Ethernet or the Internet.