Titanium-Copper Alloy May Improve 3D Process for Medical, Aerospace Applications

December 19, 2019 / ALLOY FABRICATIONS NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS, TITANIUM PROCESSING TECHNICAL CONTENT

Source: Today’s Medical Developments

A new category of high-performance titanium-copper alloys for 3D printing is being considered for medical device, aerospace, and defense applications, and heat-treating may improve the process further.

In a collaborative project, leading researchers from RMIT University, CSIRO, the University of Queensland, and The Ohio State University studied the problem of titanium alloys being prone to cracking or distortion due to cooling and bonding together in column-shaped crystals during the 3D printing process. But a titanium-copper alloy developed by the research team seems to have solved this dilemma.

“Of particular note was its fully equiaxed grain structure,” said Professor Mark Easton from RMIT University’s School of Engineering in Today’s Medical Developments. “This means the crystal grains had grown equally in all directions to form a strong bond, instead of in columns, which can lead to weak points liable to cracking. Alloys with this microstructure can withstand much higher forces and will be much less likely to have defects, such as cracking or distortion, during manufacture.”

More from this Best of the Web:

CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist, Dr. Mark Gibson, says their findings also suggest similar metal systems could be treated in the same way to improve their properties.

“Titanium-copper alloys are one option, particularly if the use of other additional alloying elements or heat treatments can be employed to improve the properties further,” Gibson says. “But there are also a number of other alloying elements that are likely to have similar effects. These could all have applications in the aerospace and biomedical industries.”

Main photo credit / caption: RMIT University / 3D-printed titanium-copper bars with titanium powder and copper powder.

Titanium-Copper Alloy May Improve 3D Process for Medical, Aerospace Applications Read More »

Heat Treat Today Launches Live Link to Digital Edition of 2019 Medical/Energy Heat Treat Issue

December 15, 2019 / MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today has launched Medical & Energy Heat Treating special edition in print and digital form, the fifth print magazine and the third in a series of industry-specific quarterlies.

The print edition of Medical & Energy Heat Treating entered the mail stream mid-December and landed in the mailboxes of 6,000 medical and energy manufacturing suppliers and OEMs. The digital edition is available by clicking here.

In this special magazine, Heat Treat Today delivers quality content both new and original as well as a round-up of past medical- and energy-related news, technical articles, and tips, including:

“Medical Alloys: Their Uses & Heat Treatments” / Diagnostic guidewires, minuscule screws for implants, complex surgical tools operated robotically, and the sophisticated metals and alloys used in their development.
“Making Superalloys Even More Super for Energy Applications“
“Heat Treating Melanin for Modern Biotechnology Applications” / Developing an annealing process for eumelanin, an electrically conductive type of melanin.
“Temperature Control System Improves Precision, Efficiency on Heat Treat Equipment: A Case Study” / A century-old die-forgings producer’s journey of improving its temperature process control system.
“Megatrends with Gary Doyon” / During a wide-ranging conversation, Gary Doyon, president and CEO of the Inductotherm Group, discusses international heat treating megatrends, as well as cybersecurity, immigration, the impact of electric vehicles on the heat treat supply chain, and Brexit.

If you haven’t done so already, you might want to join one of Heat Treat Today’s LindedIn Groups: “Leaders in Medical Heat Treat” and “Leaders in Energy Heat Treat“. You’ll need to sign in to LinkedIn before you can join the group.

Go here for the digital edition, or go to www.heattreattoday.com and click on the Resources tab to link to the Digital Edition.

Heat Treat Today Launches Live Link to Digital Edition of 2019 Medical/Energy Heat Treat Issue Read More »

NY Med Device Outsourcer Acquires Assets of Maker of Complex Braided Biomedical Structures

December 3, 2019 / MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

A medical device outsource manufacturer based in Clarence, New York, which offers heat treating capabilities, recently announced its purchase of certain assets of a manufacturer of complex braided biomedical structures for disposable and implantable medical devices.

Integer Holdings Corporation’s acquisition of US BioDesign, located in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, will add differentiated capability for complex braided and formed biomedical structures to Integer’s broad portfolio.

Founded in 2011, US BioDesign serves the cardiovascular, neurovascular, and general surgery markets with nitinol, stainless steel, polymer, and other braided structures that are enabling the next generation of structural heart, peripheral vascular, neurovascular and electrophysiology products. They also provide product development, material testing, and post-processing services, including electropolishing and packaging.

“The acquisition of US BioDesign assets will allow us to partner with our customers to enhance patient lives in new ways,” said Integer president and CEO Joe Dziedzic. “US BioDesign has demonstrated engineering prowess in the area of complex braided and formed biomedical structures, which will set us apart from the competition as we partner with customers to develop life-saving medical devices.”

Tom Molz, currently president and CEO of US BioDesign

“We are excited to bring our complex braided biomedical structures and capabilities to the leader in medical device outsource manufacturing,” said Tom Molz, currently president and CEO of US BioDesign. “Our combined capabilities, engineering and innovation will allow us to accelerate our growth while better serving our customers and their patients worldwide.” Molz will continue to cultivate the complex braiding business while reporting to Payman Khales, president of Integer’s cardio and vascular business.

NY Med Device Outsourcer Acquires Assets of Maker of Complex Braided Biomedical Structures Read More »

Special Metals, Alloys Finding New Uses in Medical Device Manufacturing

October 16, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

Source: Medical Design Briefs

Diagnostic guide wires, minuscule screws for implants, complex surgical tools operated robotically—these are standard devices and equipment in the innovative and technology-rich medical arena, and sophisticated metals and alloys are regularly being used in their development, thanks to continuing advancements in medical technology.

“Titanium has been a consistent performer for a number of years, tantalum is emerging, and copper is re-emerging, while advancements in technology are creating a worldwide demand for a variety of other metals along with new versions of long-established standards. Niobium and nitinol are ideal for use in both internal and external medical applications.”

In this Best of the Web feature, author John Schmidt summarizes the metals industry’s “long history of innovation, development, and processing metals and alloys, in step with medical devices development,” including a quick guide on how these sophisticated materials are giving hope and life through their use in medical treatment.

Photo caption/credit: A sampling of pacemaker-related components made of a titanium alloy / Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals

Special Metals, Alloys Finding New Uses in Medical Device Manufacturing Read More »

Medical Devices Manufacturer Expands In-House Heat Treating Capabilities

September 23, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

A medical device manufacturer has upgraded its in-house heat treating capabilities with a dual-chamber furnace system, which will give the company the same pyrometry requirement in its medical device production as materials and parts produced for the aerospace and defense industry in terms of furnace/oven calibration, classification and performance requirements.

Richard Conway, DELTA H chief technology officer and founder

Straits Orthopaedics in Penang, Malaysia, commissioned DELTA H TECHNOLOGIES for a second dual-chamber aerospace heat treat (DCAHTTM) furnace system. The furnace system, controls, and software are designed for full compliance to the medical accreditation program “MedAccred” as well as the US FDA’s recent recognition and adoption of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aerospace Materials Specification 2750 (AMS2750) pyrometry standard.

“Previously medical device pyrometry standards varied somewhat from manufacturer to manufacturer,” said Richard Conway, DELTA H chief technology officer and founder. “With the adoption of the well-established AMS2750 standard, there is a consistent requirement across the industry. For DELTA H this is an exciting opportunity in a market that now has the same uncompromising demands for performance and accountability which our thermal processing systems are designed for.”

“DELTA H is making great contributions to our heat treating technology which is delighting all our customers,” Mr. TH Su, CEO of Straits Orthopaedics.

Medical Devices Manufacturer Expands In-House Heat Treating Capabilities Read More »

Precision Medical Instruments Company with Heat Treating Capabilities Acquires Carbide Tool Manufacturer

July 29, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

A precision cutting company that uses heat treating in its manufacture of precision cutting tools, precision machined components and medical implants and instruments recently acquired a manufacturer of customized solid carbide drills, end mills, reamers, thread mills, and form tools.

ARCH Global Precision (ARCH), a Jordan Company platform company based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, has purchased Siem Tool Company. The Latrobe, Pennsylvania, company will join ARCH’s Cutting Tools division.

Jeff Cederstrom, ARCH Global Precision Divisional President of Cutting Tools

“We are excited to announce the acquisition of Siem Tool, as this acquisition further expands ARCH’s custom cutting tool product offering and deepens our bench of in-house technical application engineers who have a long history of successfully working with end-users to develop custom tooling solutions,” said Jeff Cederstrom, ARCH Global Precision Divisional President of Cutting Tools. “In addition, Siem adds ARCH’s first captive coating center that can be leveraged across the organization, plus Siem’s in-house coating infrastructure can accommodate further expansion in this area. The acquisition of Siem Tool supports our ongoing strategy of creating a market-leading custom tooling provider through the ‘ARCH Specials’ brand and product offering. Furthermore, Siem brings proprietary carbide edge-prep technical application knowledge for further development of ARCH’s high-performance tooling.”

“I am pleased to announce the sale of Siem Tool to ARCH Global Precision,” said John Siemering, the former owner of Siem Tool. “After careful consideration of several potential acquirers of Siem Tool, the decision to sell the business to ARCH became apparently clear based on the strong cultural alignment between our organizations, ARCH’s commitment to support further growth and long history of successfully executing transactions. I am exceedingly confident that Siem will continue to grow and prosper under ARCH’s leadership.”

Main photo credit: ARCH video capture

Precision Medical Instruments Company with Heat Treating Capabilities Acquires Carbide Tool Manufacturer Read More »

Precision Parts Manufacturer Acquires 2 Suppliers of Medical Device Components

May 16, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

A leading provider of precision parts recently announced the acquisition of two companies, both suppliers of tight tolerance, mission-critical components used in medical device, aerospace, and industrial applications.

MW Industries, headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, which engineers springs, specialty fasteners, bellows, and other precision components has acquired both companies from SW Holdings, LLC: Marox, a manufacturer of machined orthopedic implants, and Sussex Wire, a manufacturer of mini and micro cold-formed parts.

John Bagnuolo, Chief Executive Officer of MW Industries

Located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Marox produces precision machined orthopedic and spinal implants in a variety of complex geometries to leading orthopedic device firms. The company also manufactures components used on robotic surgery devices.

Sussex Wire, located in Easton, Pennsyvania, applies cold-forming and roll-forming manufacturing techniques to shape metal wire and special alloys into highly engineered, precision, micro-miniature components. These components play essential roles in medical device applications.

Both companies offer advanced engineering capabilities, material selection advice, and manufacturing know-how for creative solutions that shorten design cycle times and speed time to market.

“Adding Marox and Sussex Wire to our portfolio of medical solutions companies creates a set of technical capabilities and precision machining capacity that is unmatched in the industry,” explains John Bagnuolo, Chief Executive Officer of MW Industries. “Medical device OEMs and CMOs can rely on MW Industries for innovative, cost-effective solutions to their most complex design challenges.”

Precision Parts Manufacturer Acquires 2 Suppliers of Medical Device Components Read More »

Nitinol Tubing Center Launched to Support Medical Device Applications

May 2, 2019 / MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

A nitinol-based components manufacturer recently launched the High-Performance Nitinol Tubing Center of Excellence in response to increasing market demand for High-Performance Nitinol Tubing in challenging medical applications.

Confluent Medical (formerly Nitinol Devices & Components “NDC”) expects the center to support Nitinol component manufacturers for applications such as Transcatheter Heart Valves, Neurovascular, Electrophysiology, and Interventional Pulmonary.

The High-Performance Nitinol Tubing Center of Excellence has world-class internal capabilities that include high purity ELI Nitinol material; a wide range of Nitinol tubing sizes and tolerances; precise Nitinol tubing processes; and superior surface finish.

Nitinol Tubing Center Launched to Support Medical Device Applications Read More »

Heat Treating Melanin for Modern Biotechnology Applications

April 12, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

Source: Discover Magazine

In furnaces and ovens all over the world, most of the material being heat-treated at 1000°F or above is metal or a metal alloy, with a fair percentage being other materials like glass and ceramics.

Thermal processing is used to heat other materials, as well, though, as we all know, but perhaps one of the most unusual purposes is found at the source article for Heat Treat Today’s Best of the Web feature for today.

Our story focuses on researchers who have developed an annealing process for eumelanin, an electrically conductive type of melanin — yes that natural chemical pigment that gives color to our eyes, hair, and skin, and which protects our skin from harmful radiation, yet which also can lead to cancer. Vacuum heating films of eumelanin at 1112°F (600°C) modifies its properties and makes it more useful for modern biotechnology applications and perhaps even to create devices to help treat Parkinson’s, control artificial limbs, and more.

The researchers have published their findings in an article titled, “Evidence of Unprecedented High Electronic Conductivity in Mammalian Pigment Based Eumelanin Thin Films After Thermal Annealing in Vacuum” in the journal Frontiers in Chemistry.

Photo credit:

Heat Treating Melanin for Modern Biotechnology Applications Read More »

Services Provider for Medical Tech, Device Sector Breaks Ground on Manufacturing Facility

March 14, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

A development and manufacturing services provider to medical technology and devices industries recently broke ground on a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Hudson, Wisconsin, with completion expected in late 2019 to mid-2020.

Phillips-Medisize, a Molex company, announced the new site is expected to support at least 230,000-sq. ft. of manufacturing space for FDA-regulated products. Founded in the town of Phillips, Wisconsin, over 50 years ago, Phillips-Medisize has multiple manufacturing sites around the world, including facilities for heat treating equipment such as continuous debind and sintering furnaces, batch furnaces, dedicated metal injection molding equipment, and metallurgical lab capabilities.

Matt Jennings, CEO and President, Phillips-Medisize

This new Phillips-Medisize facility will be situated on a 34-acre site in St. Croix Meadows development, representing the company’s single largest operation in Wisconsin with opportunity to expand.

“We are proud to invest in growing Phillips-Medisize’s manufacturing presence in our founding state of Wisconsin,” stated Matt Jennings, CEO and President, Phillips-Medisize. “Hudson has been home to Phillips-Medisize for the past 36 years, so we are excited to reinforce our commitment to the vibrant community with our St. Croix Meadows facility. We expect to support over 250 employment opportunities for area residents in jobs, ranging from skilled manufacturing to engineering. It also reaffirms our commitment to better serve customers as a global end-to-end provider of innovation, development and manufacturing solutions.”

“The St. Croix Meadows redevelopment is aimed at transforming the riverfront community,” said Hudson Mayor Rich O’Connor, who hosted the groundbreaking ceremony. “By creating employment opportunities with Phillips-Medisize, I hope to encourage young people to stay in Hudson.”

Groundbreaking of new manufacturing site for Phillips-Medisize in the St Croix Meadows area of Hudson, Wisconsin.

Phillips-Medisize is a provider of innovation, development and manufacturing solutions in pharmaceutical, diagnostic, medical device and specialty commercial market segments.

Photo caption: St. Croix Meadows developer Klint Klaas, Phillips-Medisize Vice President Dave Thoreson, and Mayor Rich O’Connor turn over soil at the ceremonial groundbreaking for Phillips-Medisize.

Services Provider for Medical Tech, Device Sector Breaks Ground on Manufacturing Facility Read More »

Medical Heat Treating