MedDevice Engineer

I have used Zeus products for several years. The FEP and PTFE Heat Shrink Tubing is outstanding. I am now just starting to use them for custom extrusions. So far the extrusions have met all my needs. I will continue to go to Zeus for heat shrink tubing and give them strong consideration for custom extrusions.

Strengths: FEP Heat Shrink, PTFE Heat Shrink, PTFE Beading, Custom Extrusions (Pebax, Hytrel...)

Needs to improve: Long lead times. Can be expensive

I purchase blow mold tubing and PET shrink tubing for my products. The shrink tubing can be delivered in only a couple of days and always meets my needs. Blow mold tubing is a custom order but usually arrives in under three weeks.

Strengths: Quality Products. Tight tolerances. Fast turnaround. Knowlegable staff

Needs to improve: none

Master Bonds technical staff works closely with you to formulate the best adhesive for your application. This is different from Dymax and Loctite who sell adhesives that are already formulated.

Strengths: Master Bond provides a quality adhesive that is formulated to your specifications. The technical staff will work with you to identify the appropriate adhesive for your application. They will then formulate your custom adhesive and ship it out in only a few days. They are a good alternative to Dymax and Loctite

Needs to improve: Masterbond adhesives are custom order. They do not stock any adhesives that can be shipped immediately.

Mangar's GM worked directly with me in identifying the proper pouch for my device. This is a good example of how Mangar will go out of their way to help.

Strengths: I have used pouches from Mangar for several years now. I find their pouches to be of very high quality. I have also reached out to them for advice on the appropriate pouch for my particular product. They were very helpful in this process.

Needs to improve: Long lead times

When I need to purchase adhesive I can usually count on R.S. Hughes to have it in stock. They are local making it easy to get what I need the same day. If they don't stock it, they can have it shipped from the supplier directly to my work.

Strengths: R.S. Huges usually has what I need in stock. Knowledgeable and friending staff.

Needs to improve: None

I've purchased hot air systems and custom equipment for bonding, tube slitting and laminating equipment. The equipment that Beahm Designs makes is of the highest quality and they stand behind it. The prices and lead times are reasonable. Brian Beahm and his team are always a pleasure to work with!

Strengths: Beahm Designs provides custom equipment for medical device testing and assembly. The staff is very friendly and the lead times are reasonable.

Needs to improve: None

I have used the lubricious coatings for several medical devices. The durability is exceptional and the friction is extremely low. The coatings are easy to apply and the cure times are very short. The staff is very knowledgeable and willing to provide technical assistance when needed. When considering a lubricious coating I will choose Surmodics first.

Strengths: Surmodics provides lubricious, hemocompatible and drug delivery coatings for medical device applications. The quality is exceptional and the staff is very helful.

Needs to improve: Surmodics coatings can be very expensive.

I purchase PTFE coated mandrels from Applied Plastics. The mandrels are usually in stock so the lead time is usually very short. The quality is high and the customer service is great.

Strengths: Applied Plastics provides a quality PTFE coated mandrel. Items are usually in stock.

Needs to improve: None

Tap Plastics has built several water tanks for me for my bench testing. I've only needed to supply a rough sketch and they do the rest. The quality of the finished product is very good and the staff is very helpful.

Strengths: Quality Service. Knowledgeable staff. Fast turn-around.

Needs to improve: Expensive

I use Fort Wayne Metals to supply stainless steel wire and nitinol wire. The quality is always great. They can meet critical dimensions and hold very tight tolerances. The staff is very knowledgeable and always willing to help. My only issue is the long leads times. Other than that, they are an exceptional vendor.

Strengths: High Quality, Great Customer Service, In-house Expertise. Reasonable Cost

Needs to improve: Long lead times

I use components from Qosina for many of my device prototype builds. Many times I am looking for small quantities for proof of concept. Qosina is always willing to provide these small quantities. Once I've locked in the design, Qosina is there to provide components in much larger quantities. The delivery time is usually fast and the customer service is very helpful.

Strengths: Qosina has a large inventory of medical device components. The online website is easy to use. The customer service is exceptional.

Needs to improve: Some components have a long lead time. Some components can be expensive

I've used Pacific Heat Treating for nearly 15 years now. They provide an excellent service for a reasonable cost. Many times I've requested last minute service and they have never turned me down. The turn-around is fast and the quality is exceptional.

Strengths: Quick turn around. Low cost. High Quality

Needs to improve: None

I don't use McMaster Carr as much as I used to but I still enjoy the experience. I go to the website, search for my items and place the order with a few clicks. Within seconds I get a confirmation of my order. It is then followed with a shipping confirmation. McMaster Carr is simply Awesome!!!

Strengths: McMaster Carr always seems to have what I need. There are very few times when someting needs to be shipped from another location. The website is extremely easy to use.

Needs to improve: I think the packaging could improve. I have never received damaged product but at times I have received a small item packaged in a large box. This seems wasteful to me.

I have been using Loctite adhesives for medical device applications my entire career. I know that I can rely on them to provide an excellent product. Their staff is knowledgeable and very helpful in identifying the right adhesive.

Strengths: Loctite provides a great product and service. They have many types of adhesives for medical device applications. Their staff is knowledgeable and very helpful.

Needs to improve: Sometimes it can take a few days to receive an adhesive.

For nearly 20 years I have used Dymax UV curable adhesives for medical device applications. Their staff is knowledgeable and very helpul in identifying the appropriate adhesive for the situation.

Strengths: Dymax provides an excellent product and service. They have many UV curable adhesives for medical device applications. Their staff is knowledgeable and very helpful.

Needs to improve: The curing systems can be very costly.

I use Fedex for all of my next day deliveries. At times it can be rather expensive, especially when shipping first overnight (8:00 AM), but having this as an option makes it worth the addition charges. I feel that they can be trusted to deliver my packages safely and on-time. It is easy to track delivery status using the Fedex website.

Strengths: Speedy Delivery, Tracking, On-time delivery

Needs to improve: Expensive

Over the years I've sent and received many packages through UPS. To date I have rarely had any problems with their service. I primarily use UPS for all of my ground deliveries. I feel that they can be trusted to deliver my packages on-time. I find their website easy to use, especially when it comes to tracking packages. It is always nice when I can look and see exactly where my package is, and when it is expected to arrive.

Strengths: Low Cost, On-time delivery, Good tracking system

Needs to improve: Occasional damaged product, Limited pick-up times