Infiniti

I have a number DeWalt tools. They have never let me down. Their cordless 1/2 impact has enough torque to remove 100+ lugnuts on a charge. My compound miter saw is accurate and reliable even after bouncing around the bed of my truck.

Strengths: Solid professional level power tools.

Needs to improve: None

If you need a computer component quickly, most likely you can get it at Fry's, that's if you can find it.

Strengths: Large Inventory

Needs to improve: Messy Store

I've often used K-Tube to supply me with R&D lab stocking orders of multiple tubing sizes. Delivery has been fast and volume pricing good.

Strengths: Hypotube of all Sizes

Needs to improve: None

Dialact makes nice Anatomic Flow Models which are great for testing or demonstrating your devices. They have a large variety of vessel models for just about any area of the body. If they don't have what you need they will work with you to mold the vessel you are looking for.

Strengths: Anatomical Flow Models, Silicone Vessels, Liquid Resin Casting

Needs to improve: None

Blockwise makes a nice Radial Force Tester. It has less mass to the mechanism than competitors and therefore has better Signal/Noise Ratio, making better at measuring lighter radial forces. It can also be configured to be used with your existing Tensile Machine, which is a more cost effective option if you already have MTS or Instron.

Strengths: Radial Force Testers, Stent Crimpers

Needs to improve: None

I've used Helix silicone tubing on number of occasions. Most of the time it's been custom extrusions where I chose the dimensions and durometer. One time they were able to provide what I needed without an extrusion run ( I believe it was from an over run) Pricing is fair and quality is good.

Strengths: Extrusion of Silicone Tubing

Needs to improve: None

MWS makes great fine wires as small as 55 AWG. I've used their copper insulated wires in a number of medical devices. The consistency of the wire makes it great in the mfg environment. I've also used their "resistance" wire with good results.

Strengths: Fine Wires, Round, Square and Flat Profiles

Needs to improve: None

J&M Hobby House is awesome. They carry all the raw materials to make stuff. Not just the prepackaged kits, (they have those too) but the raw components to build what you can imagine. More than just for hobbies, they are great for prototyping. Super friendly staff. Well stocked. You just have to see the place for yourself.

Strengths: A true old school hobby shop with just about anything you might need for mechanical prototyping. All types of raw materials: gears, plastic, controls, bearings, servo motors, remote controls.

Needs to improve: There's only one store.

Parker makes high quality quick disconnects for air and fluids. I use them all the time in fluid models and manufacturing equipment. They are reliable and I've yet to have one leak.

Strengths: Fluid and Air Quick Disconnects

Needs to improve: None

Sieg makes great machining equipment for the small shop or startup. When I don't need a knee mill or floor mount lathe, I often look at the equipment made by Sieg. I've used their KX-3 CNC 4-Axis mill, with good results. For about $6K it's hard to beat. Their lathes are solid and accurate. In the USA, their equipment can be found at a number of vendor including Grizzly.

Strengths: Small to Medium Sized Mills, Lathes, Manual and CNC

Needs to improve: None

Jim is a great Manufactures Representative. When placing an order with his companies he follows up to insure the order is going smoothly and after receipt that the order was as requested.

Strengths: Manufacturers Representative: Fort Wayne Metals, MeKo, Minitubes, Wytech

Needs to improve: None

JIm and team are knowledgeable and experienced. They can test fatigue test stents, perform corrosion testing and provide FEA analysis. We've used ConfirMD testing and reports in a number of FDA submissions with no issues.

Strengths: Material Analysis and Mechanical Testing of Medical Devices.

Needs to improve: None

Pelican makes awesome Hard Cases that are water tight and virtually crush proof. I've used them for camera equipment to glass anatomical models. Their foam liners are easily configured for what ever you want to protect. If you have something that you want to guarantee will make it there safely then you want to put in in a Pelican Case.

Strengths: Case, Hard Cases and Soft Cases

Needs to improve: None

BioCoat makes a heat curable Hydrophilic Coating based on hyaluronic acid. The heat curable nature of their coating makes it easier to implement. Other manufactures require UV curing which usually requires the development of custom UV equipment to cure the polymer. With BioCoats coating, an off the shelf oven will do.

Strengths: Hydrophilic Coatings

Needs to improve: None

Techniquip provides great light sources for Microscopes. Our whole lab is equipped with their microscope ring lights. Their value is hard to beat.

Strengths: Light Sources for Microscopes, Fiber Lights, Ring Lights, Video Cameras, Crosshair Generators

Needs to improve: None

Solid Reliable HVAC Equipment. From Commercial to Residential, Modine makes HVAC units. Solid well built units. I've used their heaters for paint booths and other special rooms.

Strengths: HVAC Equipment

Needs to improve: None

I've used B&K Function Generators and Power supplies. Both have been good values for the $. You get the quality of a reputable brand for less than some of the other big names.

Strengths: Electrical Test Equipment, Function Generators, Power Supplies, Oscilloscopes

Needs to improve: None

Berg is a great place when you need drive components. Especially when building new equipment. Their variety of components means I usually only need to look to Berg for all my needs. They also provide .stl files so you can drop their components right into Solidworks.

Strengths: Gears, Couplers, Belts & Chains, Lead Screws, Cams, Shafts, Bearings, Hubs

Needs to improve: None

Malin makes all forms and grades of wire. I've used them for medical wires. I've used Malin Straightened SS wires for Guidewires. And their nitinol wire for other products. They will also provide custom drawn wire to your specification. Great expertise and a huge catalog of wires and materials.

Strengths: Wire, Wire, Wire.

Needs to improve: None

Fluke makes some of the best electrical test equipment around. I've use their multimeters for years. As soon as they came out with their first handheld oscilloscope I had to have one. Over the years I owned numerous Multimeters and Oscilloscopes. Fluke is my first choice for portable test equipment. The are durable and dependable, with the accuracy you need.

Strengths: Electrical Test Equipment. Multimeters, Oscilloscopes, Digital/IR Thermometers

Needs to improve: None