Originally Published MPMNMay 2004

SPOTLIGHT

Extrusion and Tube Processing

Aluminum extrusion 

Aluminum extrusion design possibilities can be extended through the use of specialized presses and processes. The company can produce walls as thin as 0.030 in., and even less for some smaller extrusions. A circle size up to 35 in. is available. Tongue ratio, or the relationship of a leg length versus distance between the legs, is achievable as deep as 40:1. Using a variety of strong alloys such as the company's 7000 series, a range of finishes, from anodizing and powder coating to electrophoresis, can be added. 
Northern States Metals, West Hartford, CT
www.nsmextrusions.com 

Wire and tubing cutters

Wire- and tube-processing units cut tubing of up to 11¼8-in. outer diameter into lengths from 0.100 to 99,999.99 in. to the tight specifications required for medical applications. The WC600-series cutters have batching features and five feed rates for production flexibility. Using a self-centering belt-feed mechanism, the cutters are capable of accuracy without crushing the material. The systems produce square cuts perpendicular to the axis of the material. 
Eraser Co., Syracuse, NY
www.eraser.com 

Autoclavable silicone tubing

Suitable for applications requiring pliability, nontoxicity, and temperature resistance, extruded silicone tubing is also odorless and tasteless. The inert Silcon material can be steam sterilized or autoclaved, and offers resistance to temperature extremes from -100° to 500°F. Medical-grade versions Silcon Medical and Silcon Med-X are cleanroom-produced from silicone elastomer that meets USP Class VI requirements. Custom colors and sizes, braid-reinforced silicone hose, and vacuum-rated silicone hose are also available. The tubing is resistant to UV, ozone, and gasses and does not contain plasticizers. Stocked sizes range from 1¼16- to 3¼4- in. inner diameter. 
NewAge Industries Inc., Southampton, PA
www.newageindustries.com 

Flexible tubing

Heat-sealable, flexible tubing offers an ultrasmooth inner bore to help reduce potential particle entrapment and microscopic buildup. The biocompatible SaniPure 60 tubing can be bonded, welded, and molded for custom assembly fabrications. Its smooth inner bore helps ensure the purity of the transfer fluid while improving flow characteristics. The material features low protein-binding characteristics to minimize active ingredient loss, and low permeability qualities to help maintain proper acidity levels. The extruded tubing is noncytotoxic, nonpyrogenic, nonhemolytic, and USP Class VI compliant. 
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp., Akron, OH
www.medical.saint-gobain.com 

Hole-making systems

Automated hole-drilling and hole-punching systems offer a small size and light weight for space and operating efficiencies. The Smart Driller LT and Smart Puncher LT perform computer-controlled repetitive hole-making operations for tubing patterns of 6 in. or less. The driller and puncher, weighing 40 and 25 lb respectively, measure 11.5 ¥ 17.25 ¥ 18 in. A turnkey system provides a pneumatic balloon grasper, a catheter guide made to the application's specifications, and an adjustable outboard stop. Target applications include high-volume, multiple hole-drilling or -punching patterns for single-lumen elastomer tubing.
Technical Innovations Inc., Brazoria, TX
www.holes-inc.com 

Custom extrusion services

Custom tubing extrusion services include straight tubing, coextrusions, thermal-bonded paratubing, and bubble tubing. Tubing can be cut to length, coiled, or spooled, depending on customer preferences. The company offers downstream tube processing such as tip forming, punching, and printing. In-line printing is available during the extrusion process to eliminate additional handling and costs. 
Command Medical Products Inc., Ormond Beach, FL
www.commandmedical.com 

Tubing set coiler

Features on a tubing set- coiling machine enable it to be used as a conventional winder in addition to its programmed capabilities. The Mini-Winder, used in the manufacturing and processing of disposable medical tubing devices, coils and packages tubing sets three times faster than conventional methods, according to the company. The product's contact surfaces are made of stainless steel or high-density plastic. A length of tubing is placed on the winder's mandrel, which rotates the exact number of turns necessary to make the coil. The speed, coil size, rotation amount, motor direction, and mandrel height are all adjustable.
S-Y-M Products Co., Stamford, CT
www.symproducts.com 

  

Polymer extrusion technologies

A provider of polymer extrusion technologies specializes in engineering resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, PEEK, MFA, Pebax, polyfluoroalkoxy, fluorinated ethylene propylene, and ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene. Products include extruded tubing, heat-shrink tubing, special profiles, lay-flat tubing, and multilumen tubing. Value-added services include etching, flaring, flanging, draw down, heat shrinking, drilling, skiving, and thermoforming. 
Zeus Industrial Products Inc., Orangeburg, SC
www.zeusinc.com 


  

Catheter balloon-forming machine

A computerized benchtop system has been designed for the development and production of catheter balloons. The 9800-series machine automatically controls the parameters, sequence, and timing of the balloon-forming process. The system uses a touch screen display, computer interface and data communication, mold-zone heating, and multiple temperature and pressure settings. Through interchangeable molds, the machine can accommodate balloon diameters from 1.5 to 18 mm and lengths from 10 to 90 mm. Materials such as polyethylene, PVC, polyurethanes, nylons, and polyethylene terephthalate can be processed.
Interface Associates Inc., Laguna Niguel, CA
www.interfaceusa.com 

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