Chauncy

Industry standard solid modeling and drafting software. It works well, and it easy enough to learn.

Strengths: Easy-Use Solid Modeling Software

Needs to improve: Lack of reverse compatibility across versions

WE purchased a pair of their SBL-2 sand baths along with matching TC-9D controllers for heat setting of nitinol. Overall the equipment worked fine and met our needs. It is a nice alternative to salt baths, as the sand doesn't change state, so small spills are less of an issue. The uniformity of the sand, however, is lacking compared to the salt. The heaters seem to be somewhat fragile, and we ended up sending the unit back to Techne for repair every couple of years. It also takes a significant amount of CDA to make it go, so plan ahead.

Strengths: Fluidised Sand Baths

Needs to improve: reliability can be spotty

ClinReg has helped my company with multiple, complex submissions. Their knowledge of the system, has been critical to our regulatory success. Ans since we are a small start-up, we take full advantage of their help in preparing and compiling large submissions for delivery to FDA.

Strengths: Regulatory planning and submission

Needs to improve: none

We have purchased several of these small compressors for use in an R&D lab to provide an oil-less air source for hot boxes and to provide vacuum for degassing solutions. They are loud, but work well enough for these limited uses.

Strengths: Smal, portable air compressors and vacuum pumps

Needs to improve: they can be loud

We purchased a pair of custom extrusion pullers that were used with braiding machines rather than an extrusion line. The equipment was very heavy duty and well built, and worked for it's intended purpose for many, many years.

Strengths: Extrusion Equipment

Needs to improve: none

We purchased a pair of custom extrusion pullers that were used with braiding machines rather than an extrusion line. The equipment was very heavy duty and well built, and worked for it's intended purpose for many, many years.

Strengths: Extrusion Equipment

Needs to improve: none

I have purchase and used many Steeger braiders over the years. My experience revolves mostly around the 16 carrier machines, but they offer up to 288 carriers (good luck with that!). The machines are well built and generally run reliably after some process development is completed. Steeger offers a varietey of options to adapt the machines to your specific needs - I normally am running fine wire, so I get a range of springs and the narrow pulleys.

Steeger is generally good about braiding small quantities of sample braid for evaluation and can also custom build a machine to your specifications.

In my experience, the Steeger hardware is very reliable. The automation components and software require more attention.

Strengths: Braiding Machines

Needs to improve: custom machines may require significant debugging upon arrival

We used several of the Captair ductless fume hoods both inside the CER for manufacturing and in the R&D lab for development. The hoods worked well, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing a compact, portable solution for processing of chemicals. erlab does offer a range of filters as well as a method of testing filter performance so the units do require a little planing and maintenance.

Strengths: Ductless Fume Hoods

Needs to improve: none

Densie and the Implant Analysis team has done a great job helping us to iterate a implant design very different from the standard stent. They have been able to customize the FEA to our specific needs, and complete reports that can be used to verify patient safety.

Strengths: FEA analysis for implantable medical devices

Needs to improve: none

MLPC took on a challenging laser welding project and came thru with good results. They were able to reliably tack wires .003' diameter to one another which made our assembly possible.

Strengths: Laser Welding

Needs to improve: none

I have used several models of Ametek handheld force gages. They seem to be consistent and re-calibrate every time. The ones I have aren't as feature-filled as some competitors, but they work for our purposes.

Strengths: Relatively inexpensive handheld force gages

Needs to improve: none

We use the Colder quick connects on many of our bench testers and they work great - just be sure you get compatible parts as they have a couple of different sizes.

Strengths: Quick connect fluid fittings

Needs to improve: none

We purchased a variety of Mott porous metal parts for a novel medical device. Mott was able to provide a series of components with different flow characteristics which we built into prototype units for bench testing. Porous metal is complicated by its very nature, but if you need it, Mott is a reasonable place to start.

Strengths: Porous Metal Components

Needs to improve: development can be time consuming

Oasis has provided me with sterile, individually packaged flushing needles (blunt cannulae). The company has always had sufficient stock of product and was willing to provide all necessary documentation and certification.

Strengths: Sterile, individually packaged blunt cannulae

Needs to improve: none

Over the years, I have purchased several Therm-X thermocouple welders. This unit is great for welding thermocouples as well as running up a ball on the end of most any wire. Very handy tool for prototyping and product development.

Strengths: Thermocouple Welding Machine

Needs to improve: none

Seth at Servicor was instrumental in helping to design, quote and install our modular CER. He helped us to avoid some of the pitfalls and we ended up with a great cleanroom in a small space for manufacturing of our devices. Highly recommended.

Strengths: Excellent quality & service

Needs to improve: Rumor has it they no longer manufacture domestically

Peterson is the highest precision grinding shop that I have found after years of looking. They are more than helpful and will help to guide you to determine the level of precision that your project really requires rather than suggesting overkill. Highly recommended - I don't go anywhere else.

Strengths: High Precision Grinding

Needs to improve: none

I have used Pacific many times - mostly to harden forming dies and anneal stainless steel tubing. The service has been good and timely. I usually drop my items off at the end of one day, and pick the parts up the next morning.

Strengths: Quick turn heat treatment of steel

Needs to improve: none

I have purchased luer components and tear-away sheath assemblies from Martech. Their luer selection isn't as large as some of the others, but they had exactly what I needed. Tear-away sheaths can be a hassle, but Martech took it off my hands and supplied good product.

Strengths: Luers & Tear-Away Sheaths

Needs to improve: none

Lemo connectors are well built and highly reliable. We used them to connect a handpiece to a computer unit for data aquisition and analysis. They are expensive, but worth it.

Strengths: High Quality Electronic Connectors

Needs to improve: Price