MrR0b0t0

JH Technologies is a distributor for a variety of microscope and imaging manufacturers, including Leica and Navitar. What sets JHT apart is their ability to allow customers like me to try out the product before purchasing. They have a showroom with various equipment set up and Shawn, our rep, encouraged us to bring our actual parts for a test run to ensure that we’d be happy with our purchase. We purchased a Navitar system and he offered to show us some advanced imaging techniques to optimize picture quality, so that we get the most use out of the equipment.

Strengths: Inspection Equipment, Microscopes, UV Curing Equipment, Wide Selection, Various Brands, Replacement Parts, Maintenance and Repair, Microscopy Training

Needs to improve: None

Nelson Labs is my goto biocompatibility vendor, but sometimes they don’t always have the capability to perform all the tests. That’s where Toxikon comes in. Their staff is knowledgeable and well aware of the regulatory climate and what expectations regulatory bodies are looking for.

Strengths: Biocompatibility, Material Analysis, Knowledgeable Staff

Needs to improve: None.

SIMCO Electronics is a calibration service house that offers decent pricing for their services. Unfortunately, they won’t make an on-site visit if the servicing doesn’t amount to at least $1000 (or pretty close to it), but they will offer to pick up the equipment for calibration back at their labs. Email doesn’t seem to be the best method for scheduling services, so it’s best to pick up the phone to speak to your rep and schedule a visit. On one occasion, I had scheduled an on-site visit 4 weeks in advance. I didn’t receive a confirmation from them, so I called and spoke to the rep and found out that they had been double-booked. She did admit to the mistake and rectified it by splitting up the calibration into two days so both sites could be serviced and didn’t charge for the second on-site day.

Strengths: Calibration Services, Will pick up equipment for calibration, Quarterly email reminders for equipment due for calibration

Needs to improve: Extensive follow-up needed for scheduling services, Won’t make an on-site visit unless there’s a $1000+ PO

Nelson Laboratory is my number one biocompatibility test laboratory. Yes, there is also Toxikon and WuXiAppTech, but Nelson is my first quote. They genuinely embrace the idea that we’re about saving people’s lives rather than trying to make a buck. I’ve worked with four different associates so far and each one has been consistent and one time in delivering test results. They don’t hesitate to offer advice on how to effectively complete the biocomp testing while using the minimum amount of samples, which is instrumental when you’re on a budget.

Strengths: Biocompatibility, Material Analysis, Knowledgeable and Responsive Staff

Needs to improve: None. They have a solid staff there.

I’ve used three different packaging test companies in my career so far. Westpak has been my favorite by far. Although all three companies are well informed in packaging standards, Westpak’s customer service trumps them all and that’s why they’ve earned my business. Wil and Katie were great assets when we encountered a pouch seal issue, which penetrated through multiple lots of several lines of product (that’s what happens when you use the same packaging for all products; take one down, take them all down). They offered advice as to how to proceed with the root cause analysis and even supplied some test supplies on the house. On a side note, if you attend their annual open house, you get a 10% discount on your next quote. Todd in shipping and receiving is also a friendly face to see when you’re dropping off product or picking them up.

Strengths: Accelerated Shelf Life Conditioning, Climatic Conditioning, Packaging Evaluations (Bubble Test, Pouch Peel, Dye Penetration), Packaging Design

Needs to improve: I have nothing poor to say about Westpak. Their entire staff, from the support staff up through the engineers are a pleasure to work with.

A lot of companies provide packaging components, but we use CleanCut for their tabless packaging--they weld the dispenser hoop straight onto the card. For people who have dealt with packaging issues before, they can attest to the headache (more like migraine) that a packaging issue can cause. CleanCut was responsive in helping to re-tool the initial die to minimize the cost to update the card. Additionally, they delivered 1 week ahead of the promised date.

Strengths: Packaging Components: Backer Cards, Clipless Dispenser Hoops, Tabless Packaging

Needs to improve: The initial tooling cost to cut the backer cards is higher than desired

Laser welding is much of an art form already, and LaserStar makes it more affordable to perform this process in-house. Furthermore, their small footprint makes it a good choice when space is limited (when is it not?). My key issue with LaserStar is the setup. We received 3 machines (same model), but the parameters to produce the same tensile strength weld was wildly different between the 3. Although, for the price, they can’t be beat, so I’ll likely order from them again.

Strengths: Economic Laser Welding Machines, Small Footprint

Needs to improve: The variation from equipment to equipment (same model) could be much less

There are many companies that can perform coil winding and provide springs, but the top reason why I keep going back to Motion Dynamics is their excellent customer service. Chris, their President, has visited our facility on multiple occasions (even hand delivered the first prototypes of a component we were looking for them to source) to personally discuss new technologies MD is developing and existing components we currently purchase from them. Additionally, they have yet to turn down a job due to difficulty, which makes them a great asset during the prototype phase.

Strengths: Wire Formation, Coil Winding, Springs, Secondary Processes

Needs to improve: I have nothing but great things to say about Chris and his staff at Motion Dynamics

Cobalt Polymers supplies several different sized polyolefin tubing for us. So far, we have received 6 different lots in 3 different sizes, and no IQC have arisen. The components have been consistently delivered on time and within specifications.

Strengths: Polyolefin Tubing, Pebax Tubing

Needs to improve: Can’t think of anything glaring since we use off-the-shelf product

Any customer looking to use PET or PTFE should undoubtedly look to Zeus as a potential vendor. They carry a huge variety (most of which can be viewed at their website) and are open to sending a few samples (obviously extras from a previous run) for any prototyping needs. If your needs fall into their normal production, I wouldn’t look any further as they are the industry leader. Unfortunately, that’s where the fun ends. Even coming from a large company who has given them thousands of dollars in business, they are hesitant in committing to any job that doesn’t follow their cookie cutter process. Secondary processes are possible, but Zeus offers them at a steep price.

Strengths: PET Heat Shrink, PTFE Tubing, PTFE Beading

Needs to improve: Large company mentality who is unwilling to accept jobs that “push the envelope” without a quick ROI