As part of the larger IME West advanced design and manufacturing show, Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West returns to the Anaheim Convention Center beginning April 12. The three-event extravaganza was staged in person in 2021, and the 2022 show is expected to draw more attendees interested in gaining knowledge on how to continue to navigate the turbulent world of manufacturing and design.
“As our industry learns from past challenges and introduces new technologies to keep up with growing demand, it’s important for us to cater our education and show floor offerings to mirror the unique needs of our community,” said Adrienne Zepeda, group event director, IME West, Informa Markets. The show co-locates with WestPack, Automation Technology Expo (ATX) West, Design & Manufacturing (D&M) West, Plastec West and CannPack West.
Dozens of key industry suppliers have committed to the 2022 event, and those who attended the 2021 show are looking for greater attendance and interaction with a continuing eye on safety.
“The safety of our community is of utmost importance to ensure a constructive live event that advances the dynamic advanced design and manufacturing sectors that rely on IME West.” Zepada said.
Education a Key Component on Day 1
After two years of video calls, attendees at MD&M West will get the opportunity to see dozens of presentations from live presenters. The talks range from technological innovations to strategies to improve product design, enhance product development and showcase new manufacturing techniques.
Two of the Day 1 presentations on April 12 are:
Outsprint Your Competition to Market Launch by Streamlining Your Collaboration Roadmap. April 12 at 9:30 a.m. PST
Device companies must move toward higher levels of collaboration in order to reduce time-to-market schedules, coupled with revised strategies on product specifications and iterations to reduce scope, risk and ultimately time. The session will explore how to involve all members of your design and manufacturing team—from sales to production and from the C-suite to maintenance to enforce the standards around design, market strategy and regulatory requirements.
How Machine Learning and Performance Technology Can Improve Your Quality & Bottom Line: April 12 at 4 p.m. PST
This session will look at the complex issue of finding and training workers in a digital age to now just maintain production levels but to increase productivity and capacity. The session will focus on three areas:
- Evaluating production outcomes, including correlating performance with variances, using data for better estimating, notice trends and predicting future outcomes
- How technology tools can accelerate the improvement in overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
- Technology options that offer affordable real time machine performance tracking tools
A full summary of MD&M West educational sessions can be found here.
Product Innovations Take Center Stage
Exhibitors at MD&M West are anxious to present their new product innovations and demonstrate their capabilities to a live audience. Among the product announcements at MD&M West in 2022 are:
Altech: The PSC Family of power supplies includes five models ranging from 75 to 480 W of available power and covered by a three-year warranty.
Dimensions of this ultra-compact supply family are 4.85 (d) 1.25 (w) x 4.9 (h) in. for the 75 W supply up to 4.85 (d) 2.75 (w) x 4.9 (h) in. for the 480 W unit. All units are DIM rail mountable.
The PSC Family has a universal input voltage range of 85 to 264 V AC, output voltages of 12, 24 and 48 V DC. Key features include a built-In current sharing function, current limiting, comprehensive output protection and built-in active power factor correction, PFC, to reduce energy usage with PF >0.95. DC power and self-test LED indicators provide visual status of operation.
The current sharing capability of these supplies enables users to connect them in parallel to support 1+1 to N+1 units for additional current availability or redundancy. Output protection the PSC Family provides are over voltage, overload, short circuit and open circuit.
Key PSC Family specifications include efficiency to 91%, 150% peak load capacity and output voltage accuracy of ±1%. Operating temperature range is -25 to +70 °C.
igus: The latest in 3D printing and gears from igus will be on display. igus offers a 3D printing service that can produce parts in as little as 24 hours. The company, whose U.S. operations are based in Rhode Island, will also be showcasing its expansive range of gears, which are embedded with solid lubricants that eliminate the need for external oil and grease. Booth visitors can also discuss the company’s ROIBOT 2022 competition, which offers prize money for the most creative applications with low-cost automation and robotic systems.
Emerson: The ASCO Series 284/384 Two-Way Solenoid Pinch Valves are designed for use with highly aggressive or high-purity liquids in analytical and medical instrumentation, and sterile and aseptic systems. The aluminum-body, two-way valves are often used in dialysis equipment because they provide complete hermetic separation of the control mechanism and the fluid within the tubing to prevent particulate contamination caused by friction of moving parts and ensure maximum purity of liquids. Besides hemodialysis equipment, other typical applications include urinary collection and intravenous (IV) systems, and drug dispensing.