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Should you set up shop in Singapore?
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Not long ago Merlin MD, a small start-up that makes stent-like devices for endovascular therapies and treatment of cerebral strokes, was looking for a place to locate. It didn’t even consider setting up shop in the United States, says President and COO Michael O’Connor. “Funding is extremely hard to obtain and government support schemes are complex,” he says. “Our choice came down to Switzerland or Singapore. We selected Singapore because government agencies there were ready, willing, and able to support us. For example, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) provided a Research and Development grant and equity-based funding, the Standards, Productivity, and Innovation Board (Spring Singapore) gave us a Development grant, and International Enterprise (IE) Singapore helped introduce us to new markets such as Brazil and Mexico.” Read the rest of the story
—Leslie Gordon, Senior Editor
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Medical instruments are increasingly sophisticated, which has increased regulatory requirements and compliance testing. In the past, systems tended to use one centralized computer for motion control. This balanced the then expensive processors against the cost and complexity of wiring and interface boards that were needed to bring all the signals back to the central processor. Unfortunately, it was all too- easy for electromagnetic noise from a nearby walkie-talkie to grind a whole machine to a halt. Additionally, sharing so many diverse real-time operations on a single processor required much more testing. That is, whenever any module or functional unit was changed in the system, all of them needed revalidation.
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Field failures in medical electronics systems often originate in structural anomalies in the plastic-encapsulated microcircuit, or PEM. The structural anomalies may be very small, but over time thermal stresses and exposure to moisture and contaminants can cause them to grow until they cause an electrical failure. The types of stress depend on environment. That is, an implanted device sees essentially no thermal stress, but may be susceptible to residual stresses originating in its construction. These field failures may be avoided by eliminating the structural anomalies from production.
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Fasson, Pasadena, CA (a division of Avery Dennison) pressure-sensitive label materials have been qualified for use in the Epson SecurColor printer for optimized color-enhanced printing in healthcare applications.
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Maxon is working with National Instruments Corp. (NI), Austin, TX, on the design and development of ViNI, a robotics platform that supports such products as the Da Vinci Surgical robot. ViNI is driven exclusively by Maxon motors, gearheads, and encoders and NI CompactRIO embedded controls.
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The ADM X3 Mobile Bearing Acetabular System for hip replacement surgery from Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, NJ, is intended to minimize the risks associated with total hip-replacement surgery.
The device uses the developer's special advanced bearing technology, which is designed to increase the longevity of implants. According to the company, lab tests have shown a 97% reduction in volumetric wear compared to conventional polyethylene.
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Mark May 6th, 2010 on your calendar!
 The Energy Efficiency Technology Conference and Expo is a one-day event featuring technical sessions aimed at engineers and technologists engaged in projects involving energy efficient products and processes. Sessions will cover topics in LED lighting, energy harvesting, energy efficient motor and drive technology, energy monitoring, smart grid applications, energy efficient power supplies, legislated energy mandates, and related subjects. Breakfast, sessions, lunch, product exhibition, networking opportunities and a cocktail reception are included throughout the day. Special keynote: Where Are The Government Grants/Subsidies presented by Roland Riser, Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy.
 Machine Design’s WORLD’S SMARTEST DESIGN ENGINEER online video contest is off and running. Players from across the globe are competing for fun, education, prizes and the ultimate bragging rights. Thanks to our sponsors for their support of the exciting online opportunity for engineers!
All Motion
Altech Corp.
Avago Technologies
AutomationDirect.com
Balluff
Digi-Key Corporation
Dynaflo Vacuum Pumps & Compressors
Ensinger
Forest City Gear
Fortus
FRABA Inc.
Hewlett Packard
KNF Neuberger
Lemo USA, Inc.
Nippon Pulse
R+W America L.P.
Ringfeder
Shimpo Drives, Inc.
Smalley Steel Ring Co.
Wittenstein, Inc.
Efficiency Loss & Capture in Mechanical Gearboxes and Motor Systems
Sponsored by Wittenstein
DATE: April 15th, 2010
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
Make a large impact on system efficiencies through gearbox and motor – whether in new designs or existing machines. The heart of any motion system is the motor and delving into the mechanical components around it play an integral part in optimizing overall system efficiencies, providing designers with energy and cost savings. Having introduced the world’s first low-backlash planetary gearbox, Wittenstein has spent 25 years on developing and identifying mechanical and electrical specifications.
Click here to learn more and register!
Cable Basics: Sizing and Selection
Standard vs Custom Cable for OEM Applications
Sponsored by Northwire Inc.
DATE: April 22nd, 2010
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
OEMs are pushing engineering teams for the fastest development cycle possible. Component selection errors can cause big delays and reliability issues after the products are in the hands of customers.
To help engineers make the best cable decision for their projects, Northwire is teaching a technical course that dives into the key issues that affect cable performance and the final cable solution attached to the project.
Click here to learn more and register!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.
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Fast doesn't mean simple
Proto Labs created The Protomold Torus to demonstrate interesting, complex features that can be designed into your parts for an assortment of different purposes. "The Torus" comes with an informational user key that describes the features and mold-making techniques used to produce those features.
Request one today!
Boker’s 2010 Washer Catalog
Boker's free 2010 Washer Catalog features over 24,000 non-standard flat washer sizes with ODs of 0.080" to 5.140"; numerous IDs and thicknesses; 2,000 materials; and no tooling charges. ISO 9001:2008 Registered.
www.bokers.com/mee
Free Machining Tips
Would you like helpful advice about designing your parts for CNC machining? Our new First Cut Machining Tips email newsletter will arrive in subscribers' inbox and will deliver tips or suggestions for efficiently and cost-effectively machining prototype parts. Sign-up today!
Phillips Plastics Corporation®
Medical OEM projects often require more that a custom part or a vendor with limited services. Learn more about the engineering services, materials support, clean rooms, quality control, packaging, sterilization, manufacturing technologies available from Phillips Plastics.
Product & Material Testing
Medical OEMs are product and technology experts, but understanding test requirements and carrying them out is challenging, taking you away from what you do best. Learn more about medical product test methods and requirements from the experts at DDL. www.testedandproven.com
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