RF Tip Machine-reduce Variability

Sponsor: Merit Medical Systems

Team: Sheath Smart Advantage (SSA)

Coach: Jerry Bowman

Students: Alan Bordon, Trenton Bytheway, Brian Caldwell, Fred Saavedra, Sam Wilkinson

SSA developed an improved process for forming plastic medical devices. The machine increases productivity and part quality.

The original plastic formation process was not reliable in that it used too little or too much plastic on occasion. Team SSA developed a device that can detect when the plastic forming process is complete. Upon completion, a signal is sent to the controller via a closed feedback loop. This shuts off the power and removes the plastic from the molding.

The new device will decrease setup time from 30 minutes to less than 10 minutes, and includes a five-year savings of $1-2 million.