FifthFlower

We use their CA in our products and they've worked well so far.

Strengths: Cyanoacrylate

Needs to improve: None

They carry a large catalog of electrical components and supplies. Good resource for components.

Strengths: Electrical components

Needs to improve: None

An excellent source for o-rings

Strengths: O rings

Needs to improve: None

They've come a long way from their mining days. We use their sandpaper for abrading surfaces and they work well.

Strengths: Abrasives

Needs to improve: None

WD-40 is a solid product for lubrication and rust protection, but it's not always suitable for fixtures where the oil may come into contact with implantable devices. Take care before use!

Strengths: Lubricants, Rust Protection

Needs to improve: Care should be taken if equipment interacts with implantables

For the most part, oscilloscopes are straight forward to use, but it seems that in the recent years, tektronix has tried to add more features, which has cluttered the simplicity of their earlier designs. Nonetheless, they are great pieces of equipment.

Strengths: Oscilloscopes

Needs to improve: Ease of use

Their tools have proven to be durable and reliable through many uses. A good investment for the long term for both facilities and production needs.

Strengths: Power Tools

Needs to improve: None

It's nice to have a company that will properly dispose of large amounts of confidential information. It beats having to sit next to a shredder for half the day after a project is complete and all the pertinent released documents have already been filed away.

Strengths: Confidential data management

Needs to improve: None

We use Canon cameras (both point and shoot and SLRs) for image acquisitions when we need to add pictures to manufacturing procedure instructions. They are easy to use and easy to transfer from the camera to the computer. Usually there is no additional software needed.

Strengths: Cameras

Needs to improve: None

Their kim wipes are a must have in our clean room to maintain low particulate counts and low rejects due to debris. Works excellent!

Strengths: Lint free wipes

Needs to improve: None

Their laptops are unreliable and definitely not durable. I’ve purchased 3 around the same time and all have failed within 2 years. They were good about replacing it since it was still under warranty, but the replacements weren’t any better. Their printers are decent though, although the toner will cost you an arm and a leg.

Strengths: Printers, Replacement for Parts Under Warranty

Needs to improve: Laptops

For buying systems in bulk, there is none better than Dell. It’s easy to purchase large amounts and they are reasonably priced, as well.

Strengths: Business Laptops and Desktops

Needs to improve: None

Their printers generate high quality labels and are easy to use.

Strengths: Label Printing

Needs to improve: None

Their large inventory and fast shipping are their main selling points.

Strengths: Industrial Tools

Needs to improve: None

Their pricing can’t be beat. One of my go to places for tools.

Strengths: Industrial Tools

Needs to improve: None

If you’re not doing anything fancy, Chatillon is a good alternative to the more expensive MTS and Instron mechanical testers. As with all testers, you can control speed and distance, even some very simple cycles, if necessary.

Strengths: Tensile Tester

Needs to improve: None

Compact force gauges for those on the spot tensile/tension measurements when it’s not feasible to stick your part onto a large machine.

Strengths: Force Gauges

Needs to improve: None

The one at work looks like it came from the Jurassic ages, but it still chugs along. I can only conclude that it must be quite reliable. On top of that, the machine seems durable as well since it’s running 24/7, and I haven’t seen it break down yet.

Strengths: Braiders

Needs to improve: None

A straight-forward company who delivers to print.

Strengths: Centerless Grinding

Needs to improve: None

They are another option for hot boxes if you don’t want to use Beahm.

Strengths: Hot Boxes

Needs to improve: None