Powered by Universal Robots’ UR10e collaborative robot, the Vectis Cobot Welding Tool is portable, safe, versatile, easy-to-use, and ready for welding within 10 minutes of set up. Vectis’ Let’s Weld Together intuitive programming interface is accessible through the UR cobot’s teach pendant. The cobot welder can weld thick and thin parts, and the Vectis Weaving Software allows manufacturers to set weave parameters for cleanly tied-in welds with a weld template library that provides parameter starting points for common weld sizes.
The Vectis system comes with hardware on a 3ft x 6ft mobile modular fixturing cart and runs off 120VAC.
Suited for holding castings and tall workpieces, pivoting edge clamps convert from manual to hydraulic operation. The pivoting jaw exerts clamping force forward and downward concurrently. The jaw has a replaceable serrated gripper made of hardened tool steel for high-production durability. The slotted base provides adjustability and has a tapered top surface to prevent the clamp from moving.
The PF chipbreaker for micro boring applications, with low cutting force and anti-welding properties, delivers consistent chip control and surface finish in a range of applications. With a minimum cutting diameter of 5mm, the PF chipbreaker works with EZ Bar PLUS boring bars.
Measurement Specialties Inc., a subsidiary of global industrial technology company TE Connectivity Ltd. acquired Silicon Microstructures Inc. from Elmos Semiconductor AG.
SMI’s micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensor technology design and manufacturing capabilities join TE’s operational scale, customer base, and existing sensors technologies to offer comprehensive global sensing solutions. SMI expands TE’s global leadership in pressure sensing technology, particularly in medical, transportation, and industrial applications.
SMI will now be reported as part of TE’s Sensor Solutions business.
Global biomedical temperature sensors market to reach $10 billion by 2026
According to Stratistics MRC, the global biomedical temperature sensors market was $5.60 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $10.10 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. Driving factors include increasing demand for fitness devices and rising health concerns. However, high costs are restraining growth.
North America is expected to grow significantly due to rising need for medical services and medical sensor providers, who are developing high value-add equipment to meet these needs.
Patient positioning and laboratory automation seem like completely different medical technology fields. However, both applications require small encoders with high position accuracy, absolute measurement without backlash, high reliability, failure safety, and ruggedness.
Comfortable, accurate imaging
ECN 1123 and EQN 1135 rotary encoders with functional safety ensure high availability.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HEIDENHAIN
Examination tables on modern computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines move for positioning, so motion must be measured and controlled in various directions. The table’s height, for example, can adjust to meet the patient’s reach before moving into the scanning area.
Once in the diagnostic machine’s scanning area, the patient must be brought into exact position for examination, requiring longitudinal and transverse positioning and adjustment to inclination.
Heidenhain’s LIC 2100 exposed linear encoder with absolute position measurement ensures smooth motion, providing patient comfort as well as advantages for liquid handling in the lab. By directly measuring the absolute position constantly without a reference run and by transmitting high-resolution position values, the encoders permit highly dynamic closed-loop control of the drives. Acceleration and deceleration are barely perceptible, resulting in smooth and comfortable movements for the patient.
Heidenhain ECN 1123 and EQN 1135 rotary encoders with functional safety allow self-monitoring and self-diagnostics, delivering data for preventive servicing and maintenance intervals. The EnDat 2.2 interface permits online diagnostics of the encoders’ operating status for high availability of expensive diagnostic imaging equipment.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Automated lab sample transfer
Modern, highly automated medical laboratories analyze tiny individual samples in large batches within a short amount of time. Wells on microtiter plates are shrinking and being closely spaced, and large sample batches can be analyzed with minimal expensive reagents.
Laboratory equipment, such as automated pipettors for liquid handling demand precise control (pictured, page 22). One faulty liquid transfer could destroy valuable and possibly irreplaceable samples.
LIC 2100 absolute linear encoders provides exact position data for the pipettes in a pipettor. High encoder resolution and rapid data transfer to and from the control using the EnDat serial interface permit accurate positioning while ensuring smooth, steady control for jerk-free sample movement.
Linear encoder
With high reliability and 15µm/m accuracy grade, the LIC 2100 exposed linear encoder provides accurate position values directly after equipment switch-on, without a reference run. Its measuring standard resists contamination and wear, and the encoder’s scanning head’s IP67 rating protects against dust and moisture for long-term, reliable operation. Measuring lengths up to 3,020mm are available, with specialized solutions up to 6,020mm. This allows accurate monitoring and control of long control and measurement distances in linked laboratory lines.
Safety applications
ECN 1123 and EQN 1135 absolute rotary encoder versions are certified for safety-related applications in conformity with SIL 2 (EN 61508) or Category 3, Performance Level d (EN ISO 13849).
They feature mechanical fault exclusion. Positive-locking hollow shafts securely lock into a corresponding groove in the drive shaft during mounting, preventing slippage in the shaft connection.
Kanfit3D is partnering with the University of Brescia (Italy) to develop unique implantable structures using additive layer manufacturing (ALM) technologies.
Nexa3D, a manufacturer of stereolithography production 3D printers, has started operations in California to increase capacity. The NXE400 prints up to 16L of part volume at speeds up to 1cm/min in Z. It features factory automation compatibility, as well as optional washing and curing units that reduce the time to produce functional prototypes and production parts.
Brescia University (Italy), Kanfit3D collaborate on surface parameters for Ti64 implants
Kanfit3D is partnering with the University of Brescia (Italy) to develop unique implantable structures using additive layer manufacturing (ALM) technologies. The focus is replacing or augmenting missing body tissue with customized surface treatments for improved osseointegration, achieving a better biological response and reduced healing time.
The project involves the use of traditional titanium alloys while various designs will be tested on implant surfaces for anatomical regions that have different mechanical and surface property requirements.
The Mechanical Technologies Group of the University of Brescia (Italy) and Kanfit3D will work together to optimize manufacturing efficiencies for the production and post-processing of implants using additive manufacturing technologies such as selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM). Clinicians from the Nocivelli Laboratory of the University of Brescia, who use ALM technologies, will conduct biological tests and clinical usage, while The Technion – Israel Institute of Metals will mechanically test the printed implants.
MDS2 standard for medical device security
Departments - Regulatory
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning about vulnerabilities that may introduce risks for certain medical devices and hospital networks.
The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) published NEMA/MITA HN 1-2019, Manufacturer Disclosure Statement for Medical Device Security (MDS2), a voluntary standard that supports security risk management within healthcare delivery organizations by providing standardized information on security control features integrated within medical devices.
Development of the standard was led by MITA in conjunction with a diverse group of interested parties. It includes a form intended to provide healthcare delivery organizations with crucial information and security control features within medical devices. It also clarifies the roles of manufacturers and healthcare delivery organizations in ensuring secure medical devices.
The shared responsibility recognized by this standard aligns with the position of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which released a preparedness and response playbook to help organizations address threats to medical device cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning about vulnerabilities that may introduce risks for certain medical devices and hospital networks. A security firm has identified 11 vulnerabilities, URGENT/11, that may allow anyone to remotely control a medical device, change its function, interrupt service, or cause information leaks or logical flaws.
These vulnerabilities exist in IPnet, a third-party software component supporting network communications between computers. Though the IPnet software may no longer be supported by the original software vendor, some manufacturers have a license that allows them to continue to use it without support. Therefore, the software may be incorporated into other software applications, equipment, and systems which used current medical and industrial devices.
Medical device manufacturers are actively assessing which devices using these operating systems are affected, identifying risk and remediation actions. FDA officials expect additional medical devices will be identified.
Elizabeth Engler Modic (Posted by)
