Ahann

Laserstar machines occupy a small footprint, so they are ideal for smaller production rooms.

Strengths: Laser welding equipment

Needs to improve: Equipment to equipment variation

MSI works well for general catheter and implant devices in the peripheral, but the equipment sensitivity leaves something to be desired if you work in the neurovascular space.

Strengths: Crimper, Track Tester

Needs to improve: Price

An alternative vendor for device characterization

Strengths: Material Analysis

Needs to improve: None

Excellent vendor for PGA, PLA, or some combo of the two.

Strengths: Bioabsorbable Filaments

Needs to improve: None

They supply CER gowns and shoe covers for production. Clothing feels clean when first opened so I have no qualms about their products.

Strengths: CER Uniforms

Needs to improve: None

Large company with many skills and products to offer, but not all sales reps know about the capabilities. You’ll have to do some research yourself.

Strengths: Wire, Hypotube

Needs to improve: None

Fluke multimeters are durable and reliable. I’ve been using the same one for 10+ years and it’s still going strong. It’s been re-calibrated multiple times with no issues.

Strengths: Multimeter

Needs to improve: None

Equipment is easy to use and works as expected

Strengths: Friction Tester

Needs to improve: None

The group at laserage is my goto team for any material processing that requires laser cutting. They are attentive, knowledgeable, and always friendly.

Strengths: Laser Welding

Needs to improve: None

Their business service is great for stocking up the office supply cabinet with the usual pens, CDs, and binder clips (because who doesn’t love binder clips).

Strengths: Office Supplies

Needs to improve: None

Staples, Office Max, and Office Depot: whoever is cheaper is getting our business for office supplies. They all sell about the same things.

Strengths: Office Supplies

Needs to improve: None

A production quality sterilizer

Strengths: Sterilizer

Needs to improve: None

A good supplier for custom silicone tubing. They do charge an initial setup fee, so it’s best to group your order if you’re using the same material.

Strengths: Silicone Tubing

Needs to improve: Initial Run Setup Cost

I’ve used Minitab to put together DOEs, analyze cpK, and perform data transformations. Their help guide is useful when trying to teach yourself a new statistical method.

Strengths: Statistical Analysis Software

Needs to improve: Licenses

They offer a wide variety of plastics and adhesives

Strengths: Supplies

Needs to improve: None

We’ve had a Beckman Coulter centrifuge for 3 years now and it still works well. It goes through a yearly PM by the Beckman technician.

Strengths: Centrifuge

Needs to improve: None

They provide the argon we with our laser welders. Always on time, but we are on a contract.

Strengths: Medical Grade Gas

Needs to improve: None

Instron is another option if you don’t like the MTS.

Strengths: Tensile Tester

Needs to improve: None

They rep one of the best tools out there, Excelta tweezers and cutters! When they come by and give a couple sample tweezers, it’s like Christmas came early!

Strengths: Representative

Needs to improve: None

A good resource to pick up some simple electrical components quickly.

Strengths: Electrical Components

Needs to improve: None