PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: Titanium Components

Tech-Etch Plymouth, MA, supplies thin component parts made from titanium for use in medical devices. Titanium is a versatile material because of its low weight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. Because it is inert and completely biocompatible, it is also used in many medical implantation applications such as maxillofacial and craniofacial reconstruction plates, as well as in anode and cathode battery current collectors and telemetry antennas found in implanted medical devices. Parts range in thickness from 0.0005 in. While providing quick turnaround and low tooling costs, photo etching produces burr-free parts with intricate and complex shapes. Designs can be proved in preproduction quantities without having to commit to expensive tooling. Laminating, plating, heat treating, and assembly are available in house. The company offers other specialty materials as well, including nitinol, niobium, Elgiloy, tungsten, and polyimide.

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Complex, Injection-Molded Parts

NPI/Medical, Ansonia, CT, creates complex, injection-molded parts for medical device, life sciences, and healthcare customers. From small startups and large medical OEMs to design shops and contract manufacturers, the company can take a new product from prototype to production. The company recently provided design guidance and assistance to a customer to identify part and tool design issues, ultimately converting a part to a two-piece design, building prototype molds, and molding and assembling test units. After the prototype phase, a multi-cavity LSR mold and three multi-cavity plastic production molds were built, helping to deliver high-quality, low-cost parts for the customer.

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Compact Embedded PC

ADL Embedded Solutions, San Diego, CA, has released an ultra-compact embedded PC. At 3.4 x 3.2 in., the ADLEPC-1500 is a full-featured embedded PC suitable for robotics and industrial controls. Its wide voltage and temperature ranges make it ideal for a variety of applications and environments. This model is based on the compact ADLE3800SEC E3800-series Atom SBC. Features include onboard DisplayPort, USB3.0, USB2.0, M.2 KeyB 2242 SATA, and two LAN ports. Quad and dual-core E3800 processor options also support DirectX 11, Open GL 4.0, and full HD video playback.

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Mini Hexapod Platform

A miniature hexapod system from Picard Industries, Albion, NY, offers a compact and precise method of six-axis motion control with micron resolution. Six linear actuators placed in a triangular pattern create a rigid, stable, and precise platform. The MHP-14 is ideal for aligning and positioning optical components. A dedicated drive electronics and Windows based 6-D user interface simplify control of the platform's motion for ease of use. The system can be customized depending on user need. A demonstration video and platform simulator are available online.

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Laser Wavelength Pairing

Qioptiq, an Excelitas Technologies® Company, Waltham, MA, has released a new wavelength pairing for its iFLEX-Gemini dual-wavelength laser series. The new 647 nm wavelength laser enables the use of specific fluorescence dye sets for critical super-resolution microscopy and cancer research. Because of the laser's solid-state design, it is one-tenth the size of equivalent argon-krypton gas lasers. While gas lasers require external modulators for fast on/off switching, iFLEX-Gemini can instead be modulated directly, thus reducing cost and complexity. Various wavelength pairs support a wide range of popular precision illumination applications. Standard wavelength pairs include: 488/515, 458/515, 445/515, 473/515, 405/488, 488/640, 405/640, and now 488/647 nm. Custom combinations are available upon request. Measuring 130 x 90 W x 38 mm, the robust opto-mechanical design eliminates the need for laser realignment and can be easily integrated into instruments.

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Catheter Material

A new material designed for high-performance catheters is available from Duke Empirical, Santa Cruz, CA. FluoroSlix™ is a highly elastic (60 Shore A hardness) material with a low coefficient of friction. The material offers excellent chemical resistance and thermal stability. It is ideal for a variety of medical applications, including reusable devices, catheters and endoscopes, and steam sterilizable polymer devices.

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Soldering Research Kit

A solder research kit designed for soldering to gold plating using indium-based alloys is available from Indium Corp., Clinton, NY. Gold is often used in electronics assembly because it resists oxidation and solders readily, making it ideal for plating contact surfaces for switches and connectors. The Soldering to Gold Research Kit allows designers to choose three different alloys from seven that are offered for the kit. The alloys come in 0.76 mm (0.030 in.) solid-core wire and represent melting temperatures ranging from 143° to 310 °C. The kit also offers two compatible fluxes, TACFlux® 007 and TACFlux® 012. Indium-based alloys, especially those in the indium-lead (InPb) family, cause appreciably less gold scavenging damage than commonly used tin-lead (SnPb) solders.

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Springs Catalog

With the release of its 2017 catalog, Lee Spring, Brooklyn, NY, has expanded its product line for 2017. The company added more than 1,800 new products and now offers more than 25,000 stock spring designs. To support demand for DIN range products, it has introduced the DIN-Plus series, a range of compression springs built on the DIN2098 Part 1 and 2 specifications. The DIN-Plus series has enhanced corrosion resistance, including passivation for the stainless-steel range and zinc plating for the spring steel range. The DIN-Plus series adds more than 500 new products to the company's offerings. The catalog contains more than 380 pages of parts, specifications, and pricing.

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Medical Tubing

Qosina, Ronkonkoma, NY, offers a wide selection of in-stock and custom medical tubing for prototyping and large-scale production. Options include PVC, silicone, FEP, HDPE, or DEHP-free PVC tubing in various sizes and durometers. Available in low minimums and short lead times, tubing is provided in both cut-to-length tubes and multi-lumen configurations. Custom durometers, sizes, colors, and materials are available. Brands such as Tygon®, C-Flex®, and PharmaFluor® are available for immediate shipment.

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Coordinate Measuring Machine

A new coordinate measuring machine from Werth Messtechnik, Giessen, Germany, combines transmission tubes with up to 225 kV acceleration voltage and large, high-resolution detectors, enabling it to measure both multi-material assemblies and large-volume work-pieces at high resolution. The TomoCheck® HA (high accuracy) 200 features a granite base structure. Its high-precision mechanics and air-bearing technology help achieve a maximum permissible error of just MPE E1 = (0.5 + L / 500) μm or MPE E = (2.5 + L / 150) μm. Probing error of the x-ray sensor is minimized using a patented process. The diamond target tubes and a detector with a high pixel count help the computed tomography machine achieve resolutions in the 1/10 μm range. Additional sensors can be retrofitted for specific applications.

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Wave Springs

Smalley, Lake Zurich, IL, has expanded its wave spring series to include additional sizes. It has expanded both the C (imperial) and CM (metric) versions in its Crest-to-Crest series. Standard sizes are now available from stock down to 0.188 in. and 5 mm in diameter. The company expects the expanded spring series to open new possibilities for the medical industry, enabling designers to use the wave springs where they couldn't fit previously. Custom springs are available down to 0157 in. or 4 mm in diameter.

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Laser Diode Modules

BEA Lasers, Elk Grove Village, IL, has introduced two new low profile additions to its rugged MIL Series of laser diode modules. The new MIL RA Model features a right angle, and the new MIL Compact Model features a straight housing. Both laser modules are ideally suited for applications with limited space and tight positioning requirements. Both models utilize a low profile 3/8 in. rugged laser housing, fitted with an M12 connector, a 2-m long PVC jacketed cable, and an integrated power supply. The optional sensor-style bracket, or multi-adjustable LB bracket, completes the laser system. The new diode modules are offered with standard 515 nm (green) or standard 635 nm (red), with 1 or 5 mW output. Other outputs are available on request.

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Geared Bearings

Nexen Group, Vadnais Heights, MN, has introduced a complete geared bearings solution based on its Roller Pinion System (RPS). The new geared bearing package comes complete with a zero-backlash gear mounted and dialed in on a precision-grade high-capacity bearing. Available in a wide variety of sizes and gear ratios, the bearings are preconfigured for fit, form, and function. They are designed for easy integration into any precision rotary motion application. The company's online product selector tool makes gear selection quick and easy. To select a gear, simply adjust sliders for torque, gear OD size, accuracy, and gear ratio requirements. The tool instantly shows all options that fit. OEMs also have easy access to STEP files and specifications.

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Topics:
Medical