Medical & Healthcare

Hardinge Inc. announces the release of its newest 5-axis vertical machining center, the Bridgeport XT 630 5-axis. Bridgeport's new generation full 5-axis VMC is a fully digital, high-quality machine tool, designed to achieve maximum capacity and performance in the aerospace, mold and die, medical and automotive industries and many other manufacturing sectors.

HEIDENHAIN announces the introduction of the new and improved +/-1um accurate ACANTO 1217 and 1218 length gages. Paired with the proprietary bi-directional serial interface EnDat 2.2, operators can monitor gages being used in production and detect failures before they occur, allowing mangers to plan and maintain optimal production levels and minimize machine down time.

Unlike conventional microscopes, the eyepiece‐less technology built into the Lynx EVO from Vision Engineering overcomes the ergonomic challenges faced with binocular microscopy. Operators experience both optical and postural ergonomics giving them ease of use with less physical strain.

Thomson Industries Inc. has built upon its selection of miniature metric precision ball screws to include three common interface styles: flanged, threaded and rounded. This comprehensive offering equips customers with even more options when designing small-space applications.

Mitutoyo America Corp., Aurora, Ill., recently celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated M3 Solution Center in City of Industry, Calif.

END USER: Wagner Machine Co., (217) 384-0072, www.wagner-machine.com. SOLUTION PROVIDER: 5th Axis Inc., (858) 505-0432, www.fifthaxis.com. CHALLENGE: Reliably and cost-effectively grip parts during 5-axis machining. SOLUTION: A compact, dovetail-style, 5-axis clamping system.

Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) and Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) optics that are manufactured to specification for FLIR, surveillance, military, and medical applications are available from Laser Research Optics. Laser Research ZnSe and ZnS Optics are custom manufactured to ISO-10110 specifications in sizes from 0.5" to 5" OD and can be coated to achieve specific wavelengths from 7 to 11 µm for ZnSe and 400 nm to 12 µm for ZnS.

Tech-Etch specializes in the photo chemical etching of tungsten. Because tungsten is extremely dense, 71 percent heavier than lead, it is used in medical applications, including grids used to collimate and attenuate stray X-rays in CT scanners, as well as ID tags used in implanted medical devices.

Fives offers the Landis-Bryant RU2 Fuel MGMT grinder. This high-precision grinding technology incorporates a modular multiple-surface grinder with extended flexibility to grind most complex components for fuel systems, valve and drive trains, bearings, aerospace and medical applications.

Swiss ID burnishing tools by Elliott Tool Technologies are ideal for accurate sizing, low microfinishing and surface hardening of ID holes down to 4 mm. With the tool body completely inside the tool block, the new 5918 series features an adjustment knob which protrudes from the rear of the tool shank, thus allowing the burnishing tool size to be adjusted for diameter without removal from the tool block.

In many industries, such as medical and pharmaceutical technology and production, contamination and air purity is absolutely essential. Any contamination can have a damaging impact on products and processes, and incur a range of costs and loss of profits. The e-skin corrugated tube from igus is now available for use to provide a safe, high-strength and flexible energy supply system without generating airborne particles which can contaminate the environment.

Value-added services shorten lead times and increase sales opportunities for parts manufacturers. The decision to bring traditionally outsourced services in-house can be an expensive and scary proposition—one with the potential to either transform a company or send it into bankruptcy. Yet that's exactly what many manufacturing companies do, and often they are pleased with the results. That proved true for the four companies profiled in the following pages.