Size, geometry and cost constraints posed problems for design engineers at Gyrus Medical in Minneapolis MN, when designing the jaws for a single-use bipolar open-forceps surgical instrument that uses RF energy. Tight tolerances over the length of the part (about 4.5 inches) were also an issue. The instrument will only perform properly if the surfaces remain parallel. Gyrus looked at casting and machining before choosing metal-injection molding. "Any time we need that kind of accuracy, we're going to look for a MIM-molded part," says Craig Stowell, director of engineering for Gyrus Medical. Phillips Plastics developed custom ceramic fixtures to support the parts to eliminate sagging during the production process. The parts then went through a calibration process to meet final print specifications.
Inforbix is leveraging its CAD and product data access technology to power up a free iPad app that lets mobile users search and access engineering data.
Unlike his friends in engineering programs, blogger Jon Titus had little need for calculus except in a few of his college physical-chemistry labs and classes.
In the wake of the Chevy Volt fire investigations, sales are down, and General Motors' (GM) CEO Dan Akerson is blaming the downturn on a spate of bad publicity.
Thanks to embedded electronics, medical devices are getting smaller and smarter than ever. Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators are now able to call physicians. MRIs, CT scanners, and ultrasound machines are gaining mobility. And the venerable Band-Aid may soon be able to detect illnesses ranging from fevers to heart arrhythmias. On February 21, join Design News senior editor Charles Murray for a wide-ranging discussion, "Embedded Angles for Medical Products," which will explore the latest developments in medical electronics. The discussion will examine advances in medical device technology and offer an inside look at the embedded electronics behind it.
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