Ultrasonic Cutting

You answer my reply.....

I was having a discussion with a colleague

anyways....this colleague, is he a manager? ^{They have a tendency of showing up after the ball is already rolling.}

Asked yourself this, what will I gain by changing the trigger process with the investment:

- easier to change set-up?,

- make it more versitile?

- More accurate?

- more productive?

- solve issues your currently having?

- .....ect....

this will begin to answer your question

p911

If you are making decisions about the manufacture of medical devices then you need to fully understand all issues so you can make the correct choice. I hate to think of medical device design decisions being made by postings on an internet board where half of the people are named "Guest".

Thanks for the feedback. Don't worry decisions will not be made based on me getting the thoughts of posters on a discussion forum. I was interested to know what others do that's all. We are not experiencing any problems but there is always more than one way to Rome.

And I quote, "i should really be asking people in dukane, branson or other specialists in the field". Yes you should.

I've only welded with ultrasonics, so I'm no help.

I am no expert on the subject, however I do have some Ultrasonic equipment.

There are likely 2 triggers, one for advance the head (time is usually OK), and one for "fire"(turn on the ultrasonics), distance to start fire would eliminate the Ultrasound to be on when it is too early (not compressing).

You are likely talking about the latter trigger, I would say distance makes more sense, pressure seems more applicable to welding. It seems to realy depend on the resolution of a distance measurement and the thickness of your cut. When you are through cutting (distance) you can shut off.

What is under the cutting head, or can it do this in mid air? If so my distance theory is out the window, pressure wont likely work and we are going back to the future (time).

The exact setup needs to be known. Timed pressured distance prevails... sorry couldn`t help it. It would be interesting to see what the Experts have to say...

Hi. Thanks for you're comments. The ultrasonics is switched off when the sonotrode touches a metal mandrel that is inserted into the catheter. (Once there is continuity made between them) The mandrel supports the catheter while it is punched.

OK, coats,

so the mandrel is stationary? or does it "float" with the catheter and becomes part of it?

Ya the catheter is stationary. The sonotrode moves vertically to meet the catheter. The mandrel is then removed from the catheter when punched and a fresh catheter is loaded onto the mandrel and the process starts again.

Ok, so distance seems to make sense unless the material thickness variances cause this no to be useful.

Since it is a medical device - of course we are just disussing things here, as I said I am not an expert in the area of ultrasonic cutting. Make sure you consult an expert for making any changes if you feel there is a benefit.