Machining Centre Packs Power into Small Footprint

A machining centre from Datron Technology Ltd (Milton Keynes, UK) is designed as an entry-level machine for applications as diverse as rapid prototyping, foiling and embossing dies, fascias, control panels, PCBs and precision engraving. Built with the company’s trademark granite table to offer high precision, stability and robustness, the Datron M75 system is equipped with a 1.2 kW spindle that is capable of operating up to speeds of 30,000 rpm. The same design principles have also been applied to the M75 with the 520 × 650 × 240 mm worktable within a small 1300-mm2 machine footprint. A 10-position self-tool changer with tool length sensor is also offered as standard.

An optional probe can be fitted at extra cost, depending on the purchaser’s requirements. In operation, the fast-acting probe will automatically swing down as programmed, without the need to clear the tool out of the way. A full tooling package is also available.

At high speeds, robustness and stability is vital during the cutting process and vibration can be problematic. The manufacturer has overcome this by not only incorporating a granite table into the M75 but also developing a unique matrix cone clamping system, which ensures that fixtures are located quickly and accurately every time. This provides reductions in set-up time as well as the flexibility to be able to take off one job and put another on if priorities require, with no loss of accuracy because of the location system. Cycle times are also appreciably shortened.

Providing powerful control and fast cutting capability over 6 axes, the M75 shows its versatility, for example, by being able to engrave over a curve, such as a pump housing or cylinder. It is quiet in operation and is equally efficient cutting ureol, CFRP or acrylics as well as stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper and the harder metals

Posted in machining

Straight Hemostasis Valve Eliminates Backflow

A straight hemostasis valve by B. Braun OEM Division eliminates the backflow of fluid and accommodates catheters, scopes, lasers and guidewires. The valve’s compact design features a large, easy-to-grip cap that facilitates smooth opening and closing of the valve. Its precision silicone closure gasket seals completely with or without a device in place. The valve has a standard ISO male luer with rotating Spin-Lock collar and its body, cap, and collar are polycarbonate. The valve is available bulk non-sterile or can be incorporated into a custom assembly, and it joins the manufacturer’s hemostatic adapter offering, which includes hemostasis valve adapters and hemostatic Y-connectors that meet a variety of interventional applications.

Posted in medtechinsider, valves

Single-Use Sterilisation Packaging Offered for a Variety of Medical Applications

A variety of packages for medical product applications, including bags, pouches and tray liners and wraps, are produced by Westfield Medical Ltd. Concentrating on single-use sterilisation packaging but also making Class I nonsterile devices, the company offers both standard packages and rollstock and custom solutions. All packaging is manufactured in-house under quality systems certified to ISO 9001:2000. Production is continuously monitored within a QC laboratory also located under the same roof in order to ensure conformity to specifications, including the performance of sterilisation indicators. The range of services encompasses custom design, computer-controlled production, multicolour flexographic printing and the conversion of plain and printed materials into bags, pouches, rolls and sheets. Warehousing and worldwide distribution are also offered. Materials employed include plain, crepe, registered-adhesive and coated papers, coated and uncoated Tyvek and several types of extruded and laminated materials.

Posted in packaging

Dolomite Introduces Resealable Chip Holder

Dolomite, a specialist in microfluidic design and manufacture, has introduced the Mitos resealable chip holder, which has been designed to allow researchers complete flexibility in their cell culture and analysis, dielectrophoresis, impedance detection and biosensor detection. With eight fluidic and eight electrical connections, microfluidic chips can be easily opened and then resealed, allowing deposition of reagents or cells onto the channel surface at different times.

The low-profile chip holder fits easily on a microscope stage, and windows at top or bottom allow a microscope objective lens to get within millimetres of the microfluidic channel, allowing easy viewing in a laboratory environment. The chip holders are easily taken apart for easy cleaning and have very good chemical resistance.

Posted in microfluidics

Watson-Marlow Offers Small Batch Filling and Plugging System

Watson-Marlow, a manufacturer of peristaltic filling systems and capping equipment for the pharmaceutical, bio-technology and diagnostic industries, has introduced a fully automated filling and plugging system that offers accuracy, flexibility for aseptic filling, capping in clinical trials and scale-up applications.  The FPC50W is equipped with a Wipotec weighing cell, which measures the weight of each individual fill with an accuracy rate of +/-0.002 g.

The compact filling and capping system handles filling requirements for clinical trials and medium batch productions with peristaltic aseptic filling from 0.1 to 100 ml. For operator convenience, the FPC50 system can also accommodate a range of vial sizes and neck finishes without the need of extra format parts. The weighing cell is connected to the filling system, allowing for fully automatic recalibration of the pump throughout the batch. Additionally, the FPC50W can employ a changeover of the single-use fluid path, which includes pharmaceutical-grade silicone tubing and plastic filling needles, to adapt to multiple batch processes or different product fill volumes.

The system is equipped with an automated precision turntable infeed, an in-line filling station, and a rubber plug closure applicator that is capable of filling and capping vials at rates up to 20 vpm. The FPC50W comes standard with a one-touch 12-in. screen/HMI for easy setting of all process parameters. If desired, the machine can be configured for password protection in three levels.

Posted in assembly and automation equipment

Polymeric Materials Tailored to Optimise Medical Device Functionality

Polymers and polymer based–materials from Advansource Biomaterials are tailored to optimise end-product functionality. Recent additions to the supplier’s product portfolio include antimicrobial materials, coatings for improved biocompatibility, heightened lubricity or drug delivery, extrudable and solution-based adhesives for the bonding of dissimilar materials and homogenous colourant technologies.

The company works in collaboration with customers to provide materials that optimise the critical characteristics of the final device. It specialises in research, development, scale-up, and manufacture of biomedical polymers specifically tailored to customer requirements. The company offers full partnership support from concept initiation through full-scale manufacturing. Materials are biocompatible, biodurable and possess controlled hydrophilicity. Antimicrobial and radiopaque materials are also available.

Posted in Materials