Manufacturing & Prototyping

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including an IEC connector from Schurter; Raltron's series of electromagnetic buzzers; Midwest Interventional Systems' extrusion ordering system; SGS' expanded spray drug-delivery testing capabilities; Prima Power's latest addition to its 2D laser technology portfolio; ANCA's peel grinding platform designed to reduce cycle time; and more.

The Vital Role of TPE Tubing in Scalability and Rapid Deployment

This article explores the critical role that thermoplastic elastomer biopharmaceutical tubing plays in enabling scalability and rapid deployment — a duo of factors that can make all the difference in the industry. Read on to learn more.

MD&M West Show Preview

Previously known as Informa Markets Engineering (IME) West, hosting five co-located shows — MD&M West, ATX West, D&M West, Plastec West, and WestPack — these related industry sectors are now merging into a single unified show: MD&M West. The focus of the conference and trade show is not changing. Read on to learn more.

Fort Wayne Metals Expands Nitinol Melting Capabilities

Fort Wayne Metals, a developer of precision materials for the medical device industry, has expanded its nitinol melting capabilities. The company doubled its melted Nitinol output from...

Advancing Implantable Medical Device Reliability with Enhanced Laser Joining Technology

Laser joining is essential for creating reliable, high-performance implantable medical devices that enhance patient safety and device longevity. The precise control and reproducibility offered by laser joining, particularly through keyhole management, ensures strong, clean joints with minimal heat affected zones. Read on to learn more.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on how MicroLumen engineers develop tubing that ensures precision and reliability in medical device applications; one on Carnegie Mellon University and the Mayo Clinic teaming up in the Transforming Transplant Initiative; one on a fully digital design-to-manufacturing process that has the potential to revolutionize lower limb socket production; and one on a new 3D inkjet printing system that works with a much wider range of materials.

Contract Manufacturing: Accelerating Product Development

The expertise of CDMs that have dedicated space for innovation are focused on accelerated development cycles, DfM, and the optimal application of materials science for their OEM partners. Read on to learn more.

Solvent-Free 3D Printing Material Could Enable Biodegradable Implants

In a paper published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, researchers at Duke University have invented a new solvent-free polymer for DLP printing. Besides eliminating the shrinkage problem, the lack of solvent also results in improved mechanical properties of the part while maintaining the ability to degrade in the body. Read on to learn more.

New Process Means Faster 3D Printing

Researchers have developed a printing process that prints strong nonmetallic materials in record time — five times faster than traditional 3D printing. The process, called SWOMP, which stands for Selective dual-wavelength Olefin metathesis 3D printing, uses dual-wavelength light, unlike the traditional printing process. Read on to learn more.

Product Focus: Manufacturing/Assembly Equipment

See where the product focus is this month: On Aven's Mighty Vue Inspector; a spot welder from Amada Weld Tech; a flexible screw conveyor from Hapman; and Rösler's mass finishing technology.

Medical Podcasts

Listen to our medical podcasts, including one on 3D printing in healthcare; one on robotics and cobots in medical device production; one on the challenges of achieving biocompatibility, meeting medical-grade standards, and navigating the regulatory landscape for 3D printed devices; and one taking a look at how printed health is transforming medicine.

A Band-Aid for the Heart? New 3D Printing Method Makes This, and Much More, Possible

In the quest to develop lifelike materials to replace and repair human body parts, scientists face a formidable challenge: Real tissues are often both strong and stretchable and vary in shape and size. A CU Boulder-led team has taken a critical step toward cracking that code. They’ve developed a new way to 3D print material that is at once elastic enough to withstand a heart’s persistent beating, tough enough to endure the crushing load placed on joints, and easily shapable to fit a patient’s unique defects. Read on to learn more.

3D Printed Active Fabric

Scientists have developed an innovative wearable fabric that is flexible but can stiffen on demand. Developed through a combination of geometric design, 3D printing, and robotic control, the new technology, RoboFabric, can quickly be made into medical devices or soft robotics. Read on to learn more about it.

An Inside Look at Designing Drug-Delivery Pumps

A look at the unique drive assembly challenges that drug-delivery pumps present and how to mitigate those challenges.

Emerging Trends in Drug Delivery

A look at drug-delivery innovations that will shape the landscape and improve therapeutic outcomes for patients in the future.

Pens and Autoinjectors as Drug-Delivery Options

In the future of drug delivery, pens and autoinjectors will provide convenience, accuracy, and improved patient outcomes.

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including Raltron's line of mobile speakers for use in IoT, wearable, headset/hearing, smart home, consumer, and medical devices; miniature rotor motors from Portescap; a Class 1 laser workstation from Amada Weld Tech; Parvalux by maxon's rapidly prototyped motors; a 3D laser-based, computer-vision system from Coherix; compact EtherCAT brushless servo motor models from Teknic; and more.

Streamlining Medical Device Development and Manufacturing Using Silicone Elastomers

This article compares high consistency silicone rubbers, liquid silicone rubbers, and low consistency elastomers, analyzing their characteristics and the implications in selecting each during different phases in the development of silicone medical devices. Read on to learn more.

Eco-Friendly 3D Printing

A method for 3D printing called vapor-induced phase-separation 3D printing, or VIPS-3D, can create single-material as well as multi-material objects. Read on to learn more about it.

MD&M Minneapolis, an MD&M Event

MD&M Minneapolis is the sourcing home for hundreds of different types of suppliers. From medical device components to medical packaging, it has everything, and more, under one roof. Read on to learn more about the region’s most comprehensive medical design and manufacturing event — MD&M Minneapolis — part of Advanced Manufacturing Minneapolis.

3D Printed Microneedle Technology Transforms Remote Healthcare

A revolutionary system combines remote health monitoring and drug delivery using 3D-printed hollow microneedles. This innovative approach promises to transform healthcare...

AI's Role in Advanced Medtech Manufacturing

AI is optimizing manufacturing efficiency, quality control, and supply chain management.

Cadence Rebrands to Reflect Commitment to Innovation

Cadence, Inc., a provider of vertically integrated contract manufacturing solutions to the medtech and pharma markets, is excited to announce a significant milestone in the company’s...

Product of the Month

See the product of the month: MMT's benchtop balloon forming machine, for the precise production of structural heart, large platform, and thick wall high-pressure balloons.

Exploring Robotics and Cobots in Medical Device Production

How robotics and cobots are providing increased efficiency and quality in the medical device production process.

Overcoming Challenges in Material Selection for 3D Printed Medical Devices

In this season, we are taking an in-depth look at Printed Health: Transforming Medicine with Advanced Manufacturing, and this episode will focus specifically on...

Vantedge Medical Completes Strategic Acquisition of Hobson & Motzer

Vantedge Medical, a portfolio company of Aterian Investment Partners, has acquired Hobson & Motzer, Inc. Founded in 1912 and based in Connecticut, Hobson is a manufacturer...

Making EVs Accessible for All

To address the needs of wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) users in the U.K.’s transition to electric, Motability Operations has revealed eVITA. It’s an accessible and versatile concept electric wheelchair accessible vehicle (eWAV), designed in collaboration with CALLUM.

The Landscape of 3D Printing in Healthcare

The ethical implications of integrating robots into healthcare, discussing topics such as patient trust, privacy concerns, and the balance between human and robotic interaction in caregiving.