Cam

Farlow's product are not just components, it's art. I'm constantly impressed by their ability to create anatomical vessel models that are consistent and meet specifications. I highly recommend their services, even though they are costly. It's worth it.

Strengths: Glass molding, high quality, custom product

Needs to improve: Costly

Wytech industries is the secondary supplier of our PTFE coated mandrels. Their quality is very good, but their price is higher than average, which is why we've chosen another vendor as our primary vendor.

Strengths: PTFE coated wire

Needs to improve: Pricing

SSF is a pricey vendor for silicone fabrication, but they deliver high quality components and work with their customers to meet their exact specifications. They also helped is through the development process and was receptive to feedback. The additional drawback was it was slow to initiate the conversation.

Strengths: Silicone molding, in house expertise, prototyping, development projects, high quality

Needs to improve: High cost, slow response time

There are many injection molding places, but delta pacific is a notch above the rest because of their accurate lead times. They aren't the quickest, but at least they are reliable and you can count on them to deliver components as quoted, which is imperative for manufacturing planning.

Strengths: Injection molding, high quality, good pricing, accurate lead times

Needs to improve: I only have good things to say about delta pacific. Great company!

I've used photometrics a number of times for sem services. Jon is a soft spoken fellow but so helpful when you've clued him in on what you are looking for. On a side note, do make sure that they are paid on time! I have personally seen the list of vendors who must pay by cash or check ahead of time taped to the receptionist's desk because of poor payment track record.

Strengths: Sem, customer service, in house expertise

Needs to improve: I haven't experienced any negatives in the 4 years I worked with them

I was introduced to kui co a year ago and have been pleasantly surprised by their professionalism and expertise. After one conference call, they were able to mock up a decent drawing and within 3 conversations we had prototypes! Excellent customer service.

Strengths: Injection molding, mold tooling, from paper to product help

Needs to improve: I have no complaint about kui co

I've used Johnson Matthey many times for prototyping since they normally carry the largest selection of precious metal marker bands. They are a good supplier for stock sizes since the turnaround is decent and pricing is on par with competitors. Their lead times could be improved for custom orders though, especially for the first few initial runs. Best to just order a lot

Strengths: Precious metal tubing, marker bands, quick turnaround for off the shelf parts

Needs to improve: Long lead time for custom marker bands

I use ot precision to machine some rather small parts and am really impressed by the quality of their products. 90% of the time, there are no issues. In one instance, we were running a prototype and they misread the drawing. Luckily we were not charged for it, and they made replacement parts, but it was a rather straightforward job in my opinion.

Strengths: Micro machining, quick turnaround

Needs to improve: Price and ncr

In the past, I've mainly used syringe filter adapters for my short term needs. I turned to porex when I needed a filtration system that would handle several gallons since I didn't want to get carpel tunnel. Porex worked well to prepare solution for my particulate testing, but it could be cheaper for what it is. Maybe I'm just not getting its full potential.

Strengths: Water filtration

Needs to improve: Pricing is higher than is like for this product

I've used bae on several occasions for material. I've used their sem images for reports and also had them conduct material composition analysis, which I ended up submitting to the FDA. I'm pleasantly surprised that they have competing prices for being a large company who mainly works with the government.

Strengths: Material analysis testing (sem, ftir), multiple locations, decent pricing

Needs to improve: I have no complaints about bae in San jose

in production, we have 6 microblasting stations running approximately 14 hours a day. we use 6 of their clearview workstations and one DC3100 for dust collection. the room housing these units are rather loud, which is to be expected, but they’ve worked well in keeping the aluminum particles contained. i chose the clearview station because it had the smallest footprint and is a tabletop setup. the angled openings are also more comfortable for the operators who’ve work on the machine continuously for up to 8 hours a day.

Strengths: microblasting technology, workstations, dust collectors

Needs to improve: none in the 1 year i’ve used their equipment

westpak is my goto vendor for packaging related testing and aging. wil and katie are professional and follow-up with their clients to ensure that the product is handled correctly. i’ve always received the official report in less than 5 days, which is the quoted delivery time.

Strengths: packaging testing, accelerated aging conditioning

Needs to improve: i’ve worked with them for 3 years now and have not had any issues

overall, simco is a very capable calibration house. they are responsive over e-mail, not as good over the phone. they offer equipment pick up and drop off if the calibration service doesn’t meet their minimum PO amount for on-site calibration. on one instance, i found out that they double booked, but hopefully that was just because they were busy while moving facilities.

Strengths: calibration services, responsive, offers equipment pickup/drop off at customer site

Needs to improve: scheduling can be difficult: need to call well in advance and double check as the date gets closer

i’ve been searching for a new dispenser hoop supplier and came across contech. i wouldn’t say they provide anything special products, but it is nice that they are willing to send samples and are willing to work with customers. their quality of PE dispensers also seems good so far.

Strengths: dispenser hoop, clips, luers, connectors, customer service

Needs to improve: i haven’t found any areas that contech needs to improved in the 6 months I’ve worked with them

i’ve purchased off the shelf tubing and sheets from bentec at several previous companies and all products have met specifications. their off the shelf product has a short lead time, so they are a great alternative when time is not on your side. their product also comes with certification of medical grade, which is critical in med device.

Strengths: silicone tubing, silicone sheets, customer service, quick turnaround, short lead time
bentec is a solid supplier

Needs to improve: None that I'm aware of

we use one line of dymax adhesive on our product, and i was looking to expand our use with them for a new project, but ultimately did not go with them since i couldn’t get additional information to make the decision. i contacted their sales rep, told them we were existing customers and were looking to use their product on another project and they only sent me general information on their product line, but nothing specific. seemed like they were pretty busy or maybe we just weren’t big enough customers. ended up using loctite instead.

Strengths: wide selection of uv adhesives for a variety of applications

Needs to improve: lead time

fort wayne has been the primary wire supplier at 3 companies i’ve worked. they can hold tight tolerances, which have been key to maintaining yields and delivering predictable and consistent performing product in the field. they offer generous price breaks for large orders, but are very costly for small orders.

Strengths: wire supplier, stainless steel wires, drawn filled tubes, nitinol wire

Needs to improve: cost for low quantities

i have worked with microscopic components for over 10 years now and no tools have come to more use than excelta tweezers and cutters. they are built of high quality and have given me excellent control over small parts. i’ve also used their cutter to trim coils with precision. they aren’t very durable though, so if you drop it, just buy a new one. it’s unlikely that the tip will have survived.

Strengths: hand tools for microscopic assembly, tweezers, cutters

Needs to improve: durability

allied electronics is likely to carry and have in stock whatever electrical component you are looking for. great for buying in bulk with their bulk discount, but onesie, twosies can be pricey. after using their website one time and getting frustrated, i now just call them to place my order.

Strengths: wide variety and large selection of electrical components

Needs to improve: website can be hard to navigate, even when i know what i’m looking for; pick up the phone and call them instead

i was first introduced to motion dynamics 10 years ago and have taken them with me to every company i’ve been to since then. time and time again, i have been impressed with their ability to continuously improve themselves in the coil winding area and also in providing secondary services. they deliver product on time and are very reliable. they are a supplier you want to grow with.

Strengths: small coils, customer service, custom parts

Needs to improve: none