02/10/2009 - Interface Catheter Solutions New Tubing Welding Machine TBW-500 is Cost-Effective and Easy-to-Use for Low-Profile Welds

The Interface TBW-500 Model, Tubing Welding Machine is a compact bench-top welding system that is cost-effective for welding a wide range of tubing sizes and materials for balloon catheter manufacturing. It is designed to weld similar polymer components such as inner lumen to distal shaft or balloon distal and proximal necks to the catheter shaft. There is a wide range of customizable jaws available for strong low profile welds. The TBW-500 is easy-to-use while producing optimal results, such as speed, accuracy and performance.

The TBW-500 is enhanced with a new programmable touch screen that offers storable configurations for setting welding parameters including jaw temperature, dwell time, cooling air jet and single or double welds. Also included is a user configurable lockout password. The welding jaw temperature setting feature will initiate welds only when the jaws are heated within 5° F of the set point improving weld consistency. The temperature setting feature along with the thermocouple burnout and wire disconnect detection element will improve production yields.

Once the weld process is initiated automated heat shields are activated which provide precise positioning by clamping the tubing or shaft so that the welding jaws can then engage the shaft accurately and symmetrically. The heat shield provides protection to surrounding catheter components from radiant heat, such as the balloon. The heated weld jaws grip tubing and heat it to its fusing temperature, resulting in a strong homogenous weld joint.

Interface offers an optional LCD vision system with high-resolution color monitor to improve visibility of the weld for operator efficiency.

Interface Catheter Solutions is the only vertically integrated provider of outsourced solutions for balloon catheter manufacturing. Interface has been solely focused on the balloon catheter market since 1995 and continually sets industry standards through process and equipment advancements in balloon catheter manufacturing.

Interface has created more than 2,000 balloon designs, and offers balloon design and development, extruded balloon tubing, balloon contract manufacturing, plus a comprehensive line of balloon catheter production and testing equipment. Interface is ISO 13485:2003 certified and operates multiple class 10,000 (ISO Class 7) and 100,000 (ISO Class 8) clean rooms in three facilities. Interface’s headquarters is located at 27752 El Lazo Road, Laguna Niguel, California. www.interfaceusa.com Tel 949.448.7056.

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