In recent years, we’ve had a front-row seat and have seen first-hand the growth of the medical device manufacturing. Based on that growth, top-quality, precision welding for medical device manufacturers is one of the primary focuses at Axenics. Advancing medical technologies have led to the demand for challenging, tiny weldments for flow control systems, which is why our metals facility is always evolving and our expert team of welders is consistently adding skills.
It has been immensely rewarding to see concepts for medical equipment solutions arrive at the company in the research and development phase and then reach completion, potentially improving the health and well-being of millions of people. Axenics gets sneak previews of innovations in the medical device industry and offers precision engineering solutions to improve the functionality of final products.
Plastics Welding for Medical Devices
Plastic weldments for medical device component manufacturing surprises some people. However, for some of our customers, plastic is the best choice to ensure high-purity welds and avoid possible contamination of delivery systems that could occur when some gases or liquids flow through metal tubing.
Plastics welding can be used in the production of medical equipment components that will be used to construct patient monitoring systems, diagnostic instruments, purification solutions and instrumentation used in life-saving operations.
The first step we take to reduce the number of potential contaminants on the plastic being used for medical device welding is to use raw tubing that has been professionally cleaned and bagged by the plastics supplier.
Benefits for using plastic weldments in medical device manufacturing include:
- Minimal release of gas under vacuum, which helps maintain a sterile environment.
- Plastic weldments have a strong plasma resistance that reduces the possibility of corrosion.
- Plastic weldments are able to resist thermal degradation and maintain a high operating strength and rigidity in high temperatures.
- Plastic weldments also have a strong resistance to acids, alkalis, greases and solvents, hydrogen peroxide, demineralised water and hot steam.
Axenics has a deep knowledge of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), a.k.a. Tungsten Inert Gas or TIG Welding. Production challenges solved with welding. Get the free guide here.
High-Purity Welding for Medical Devices
The medical device industry demands — and rightly so — that components are free of contaminants. The highest purity weldments must be performed in a cleanroom in order to ensure dirt, dust and other particles are completely removed from the environment. Our clients’ orbital welding projects for medical devices are performed in a Class 100 cleanroom.
Orbital welding is the ideal solution for manufacturing components that will be used within diagnostic equipment and instruments when you require a large quantity welded exactly the same. The weld result is unmatched as there is 100% penetration of the pipes. The repeatable, automated process guarantees welds that are free from craters, sugaring or gaps.
The orbital welding process is also a faster option when you need many welds that are the same with a quick turnaround.
The Human Touch
Because medical devices are used to save lives, there is literally no room for error when it comes to component manufacturing. That said, there are times when an automated process will not work to complete weldments for components.
Yes, sometimes it still takes an actual human to perform accurate, challenging, difficult-to-reach welds. For customers who have such demands, we utilize gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) a.k.a. TIG welding. This repeatable, refined welding process can the ideal solution for a precision fabrication that requires miniscule welds.
The requirements for medical device welding have become increasingly demanding in recent years, which is why our in-house standards are so high. We take reducing contamination at the nano level very seriously, in order to keep your product yield high while maintaining a competitive pricing structure.
Do you have a plastic tube welding project you need help with?
Contact the Axenics plastics division for help with your project.
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