World’s first artificial meniscus; Machine tool, grinding, & cutting tool news

We ran out of work days this week to get you all the latest medical device designing and manufacturing news so I've carried some key industry news over to this weekend's blog so you're not behind on who is selling what machinery, how the cutting tool market is looking, what changes are taking place with machine tool builders, and who's collaborating with whom to help manufacturers be more productive. Keep reading for news from USCTI, Active Implants, EMCO, Milltronics, Foothills Machinery Sales, Unison, Emuge, Broroks Associates, and Speedgrip Chuck Co.

U.S. cutting tool orders up 0.2% in September 2019 YTD

September 2019 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $195.9 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was down 4.3% from August's $204.7 million and down 7% when compared with the $210.6 million reported for September 2018. With a year-to-date total of $1.8 billion, 2019 is up 0.2% when compared with 2018. Please note there were revisions to August 2019.

These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals reported by the companies participating in the CTMR program. The totals here represent the majority of the U.S. market for cutting tools.

According to Brad Lawton, Chairman of AMT’s Cutting Tool Product Group, “The September numbers focus on the one word that describes our everyday attitudes ‘uncertainty,’ and not having a clue of what to expect from our domestic economy and the global economy. So the further understanding of this issue is ever-present from the media, political wars in Washington, the global trade wars, and the overall effects of these issues on the global economies. The changes are not recessionary, but the changes are concerning.”

World’s first artificial meniscus implanted in two patients

Active Implants LLC, a company that develops orthopedic implant solutions, announced that two patients in Israel underwent knee surgery for the company’s NUsurface Meniscus Implant – the first artificial meniscus to be marketed in the Middle East.

In the U.S., the NUsurface Meniscus Implant was recently granted a Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA implemented the new program to expedite the development and review process for medical devices that are novel or offer new technology for patients with life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating conditions.

© Active Implants | https://activeimplants.com

“Filling the gap in treatment options between minimally invasive meniscus repair and total knee replacement is a large unmet need in the orthopedic market,” says Ted Davis, president and CEO of Active Implants. “The NUsurface Implant was invented and developed in our R&D center in Israel, so for us it is very exciting to finally bring the device to people in Israel.”

The NUsurface Implant is a medial meniscus replacement implant designed for patients with persistent knee pain following medial meniscus surgery, or those that have failed meniscus repair, are not suitable candidates for meniscus allograft transplant, or are too young for partial or total knee replacement. The NUsurface implant is made from polycarbonate-urethane (PCU) – a medical grade plastic. As a result of its unique materials and composite structure and design, it does not require fixation to bone or soft tissues. The NUsurface Implant mimics the function of the natural meniscus and redistributes loads transmitted across the knee joint, protecting the cartilage. The NUsurface Meniscus Implant is the first artificial meniscus to be marketed in Europe and, if cleared by the FDA, would be the first artificial meniscus in the U.S. The NUsurface is not yet cleared by FDA.

New logo, machine design reinforces the EMCO brand

Following the redesign of the logo with the slogan Beyond Standard, and implementation of a new communications design, EMCO machine designs have been enhanced from top to bottom. EMCO emphasizes the machines' functionality, user-friendliness, attractive design, and aesthetics. The clear product architecture reflects the machines' precision and high quality. In order to make the human-machine-interfaces as user-friendly as possible, EMCO is continuously optimizing the machines' operating sequences.

© EMCO| https://www.emco-world.us

The products' visual enhancement has led to a variety of changes in the machine design. In order to ensure user-friendliness and a clear arrangement, the machines' main interaction areas (such as the work area) have been highlighted in both color and shape. The enclosure as a whole features a compact and clear design. Clean contours and precise joint patterns convey superior product quality. In order to keep track of the different product classes, price levels and equipment options are also reflected in the design features. The recognition value of the technically sophisticated and ergonomic machines is fully guaranteed by the new design of the EMCO product family.

Milltronics names distributor for Colorado, New Mexico

Milltronics USA has named Foothills Machinery Sales as its exclusive full-service distributor for the states of Colorado and New Mexico.

“We’re excited to be representing Milltronics,” said Tim Beer, general manager of Foothills Machinery Sales. “The Milltronics brand is well known for its line of tool room machines that have integrated conversational controllers that make CNC seamless, but they also have a range of CNC machining centers and CNC lathes that offer shops well-built machines at a competitive price. Another big advantage to the Milltronics controller is the G-code visualization screen that helps conversational programmers see the G-code as the program is being created. We’re really proud to offer Milltronics as an option for our customers throughout Colorado and New Mexico.” 

Unison promotes Baker to general manager

Unison Corporation, a builder of precision grinding equipment, is pleased to announce Robert Baker has been promoted to its senior management team. As the new general manager, Baker will be responsible for the company's manufacturing operations as well as assisting in the sales and service of our equipment.

Baker has been employed with Unison for more than 25 years with extensive experience in all areas of the company. 

Emuge, Brooks Associates collaborate, support customers

Emuge Corp., a leading manufacturer of high performance taps, thread mills, drills, end mills and other rotary tools, and precision machine tools supplier Brooks Associates Inc. have announced a collaborative effort that expands their respective capabilities for customer training, machining demonstrations, and applications testing.

Beginning with the placement of two Hurco machines in Emuge's West Boylston, MA Technology Center, Brooks Associates is increasing its market presence in central Massachusetts by opening a 2,500ft² showroom at Emuge's newly expanded Manufacturing and Technology Center. In addition to the two existing Hurco vertical machining centers (VMC), Brooks Associates will showcase another Hurco VMC, as well as a Hurco turning center, a Takumi die/ mold center, an LK Machinery VMC and LK Machinery drill/ tap center, and a Yama Seiki turning center and Yama Seiki VMC.

Speedgrip announces new representatives

Speedgrip Chuck Co. appointed new sales representation in two of its key markets due to the retirement of long-time Speedgrip sales representatives. Both appointments are effective January 1, 2020.

In the state of Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario, H & N Associates has been selected to replace Marathon Industrial Sales. H&N Associates is led by Don Noble. Other representatives of H&N Associates include Randy Richardson and Ron Juros. In addition to Speedgrip, H&N Associates represents reputable manufacturers of cutting tools, tool holders and other high, quality machine accessories.

In Northern Indiana, Greg Byington and Matt Byington of Jack Dustman Associates are replacing long-time Speedgrip representative Steve Nichols of Nichols Associates. “Greg and Matt Byington are already representing Speedgrip in Southern and Central Indiana, so the transition will be a smooth one” says Allen Boehnlein, Speedgrip director of sales.