Manufacturing Systems Today: Testing, Measurement, and Inspection

Automated balloon inspection system
Both visual inspection and dimensional measurement can be performed using an automated medical balloon visual inspection system. The BVIS-2000 system identifies and classifies particulate contamination and visual defects of medical balloons, including gel spots, crow's feet and strain lines, fish eyes, sipper lines, and foreign particulates. It also measures the width size of defects as well as the distance between them. Pass/fail analysis is provided based on user-selected criteria. The system can also provide balloon dimensions such as length, width, cone length, cone angle, and neck outer dimension.
Interface Catheter Solutions
Laguna Niguel, CA
www.interfaceusa.com

Materials testing machine
Optimized for the medical device and packaging industries, a single-column, bench-mounted machine can perform tensile strength, compression, flexural, and friction tests, among others. The LS1 materials testing machine features a load accuracy of ±0.5% down to 1% of load cell value for high-accuracy measurement across a range of loads. High-accuracy displacement measurement over small extensions or compressions is supported by a combination of linear guide technology, preloaded ball screws, and software compensation systems. In addition, the manufacturer maintains that the system provides faster testing and improved productivity compared with other models, owing to a speed range of 0.01 to 2032 mm/min. It can be supplied in stand-alone mode or with a PC or laptop using the company's NexygenPlus control and analysis software.
Lloyd Instruments
West Sussex, UK
www.lloyd-instruments.co.uk

Tube measurement system
Designed to measure small medical tubes, a system is capable of measuring wall thicknesses down to 0.001 in. on tubes as small as 0.010 in. To obtain wall thickness measurements, the UltraScan system uses transducers to first convert electrical energy into an ultrasonic pulse that is projected at the tube. The transducers then convert echoes emitting from the product's inner and outer walls and measure the time between pulses to determine wall thickness. Equipped with a DSP module that features the company's patented Snap Technology, the system is able to obtain measurements of thin walls despite close and overlapping echoes, according to the company. The system does not require any special transducers, gauges, or electronics for thin-wall measurements. Applications include measurement of thin-walled products for catheters, drug-delivery products, and surgical tubing.
Beta LaserMike
Dayton, OH
www.betalasermike.com

Surface roughness measurement instrument
Providing both form and surface measurements in a single setup, a form tester produces multiparameter surface finish data according to ISO, ASME, and JIS standards. When used with the company's hardware/software MMQ 200 surface-finish option, the MarForm MMQ 200 form tester allows for reduced setup and measurement time as well as reduced costs, according to the manufacturer. Designed with roughness measurements in mind, the tester can sample data with spacing down to 0.5 µm. Suited for use in medical device testing, the form tester has been employed to measure roundness and other parameters on hip joint components and roundness, cylindricity, runout, flatness, and perpendicularity of various parts for imaging equipment, among other applications.
Mahr Federal Inc.
Providence, RI
www.mahr.com

Force measurement system
A touch screen-based force measurement system is suited for testing Class I, II, and III medical devices and their component parts. Designed to be easy for technicians in busy production environments to use without a PC or complex software, the MultiTest-xt is a stand-alone test system dedicated for shop floor use and containing all the elements necessary for performing QC assessments. Its sealed touch screen houses a user interface that operators of any level can find understandable; they can access programming functions, test data, and evaluation tools via a straightforward menu and, in quick-test mode, can choose and start a test with a couple of taps on the screen. The system is available in six capacities, ranging from 1000 N up to 50,000 N in the case of twin-column test systems. It is engineered to provide accurate results under demanding production conditions.
Mecmesin
Sterling, VA
www.mecmesin.com