ARTICLE FOCUS:

• Electronic actuated tooling system technology
• Performance in the field
• Eliminating common testing failures

Medical devices, such as pacemakers, drug-delivery systems, and angioplasty catheters are sophisticated devices used to improve human health, which means the margin for error regarding performance malfunction is miniscule. To ensure that crucial medical equipment functions at the expected standard, components that make up these devices must undergo leak testing. Traditionally, these tests are performed using pneumatic sealing tools. However, because these tools rely on high pilot air to create the seal, they are subject to issues such as cross-contamination of pilot air into test media, increased maintenance and particulate generation, introduction of contamination from poor quality pilot air, and higher integration and automation costs of the pneumatic components.

New electronically actuated technology provides a solution that outperforms traditional pneumatic technology for tools used for leak and pressure testing of medical and industrial devices. These tools offer superior control in work holding and pick-and-place applications. For leak testing applications, two key design features are the elimination of internal seals and the ability to electronically control sealing force to create repeatable, leak-tight connections.

For work holding and pick-and-place applications, electronically actuated tooling utilizes targeting current, which enables users to select precisely the force necessary for fail-safe gripping and work holding, even for delicate components.

Due to the many advantages of electronic sealing tools, implementation into leak testing, work holding, and other applications in the medical device industry is the first step in ensuring product dependability while reducing operational costs.

Available with one to four electronic sealing tools and this enclosure, the system delivers simple plug-and-play connectivity to new or legacy leak test instruments.

Benefits include eliminating reliance on high-pressure compressed air, which must be filtered and dried, and the elimination of high-pressure compressed nitrogen used for difficult-to-seal applications.

When factoring in the components and plumbing required to deliver this high-pressure air or nitrogen into the cleanroom environment, the savings can be substantial.

Electronically actuated technology
Adjustable electronic actuation allows for inside- or outside-part testing for leak sealing integrity or function testing. By varying the target current, the device is scalable, providing repeatable and dependable sealing and work holding operation.

For leak testing in cleanroom environments, electronically actuated tooling provides an ideal clean and easy-to-install sealing solution. By operating through a 24VDC motor, the rotary motion of the motor is converted via the drive system into linear seal compression. The electronic drive system locks in the “sealed position,” maintaining secure connections, even under power loss—a safety feature not available with pneumatics. Enclosed in a NEMA IP65 housing, this easy-to-use modular sealing device greatly reduces maintenance and eliminates the risk of contamination and moisture ingress, seal creep, or potential loss of grip, which can occur when relying on conventional pneumatic tooling options.

An electronic tool can serve as a stand-alone device or can be easily integrated into leak test systems, enabling manual, semi-, or fully automated testing. As a stand-alone test fixture, the controller allows the users to easily set the tool operation and sealing force via touch pad or potentiometer.

Additional features such as electronic or remote pilot actuation and communications capabilities allow the tool to easily assimilate into a new or legacy leak test system, as well as monitor and/or change tool settings.