As my post-show coverage of Design & Manufacturing Midwest winds down, the focus is on quality. A number of products were on display that promise to help engineers make the right design decisions, and then ensure that their products are top-notch.

Autodesk showcased its Digital Prototyping solutions, including Moldflow Adviser and Moldflow Insight software. Moldflow Adviser simulates and optimizes part, mold, and tool designs by simulating the injection molding process using a digital prototype. Moldflow Insight software provides plastics engineering simulation tools for use on digital prototypes. It lets users simulate the filling and packing phases of the injection molding process to predict flow behavior of plastic melts.

Gradient Lens Corporation offers the Hawkeye Pro MicroFlex borescope that lets manufacturers of machined or molded medical parts and components inspect for burrs, surface finish, and other defects inside even the smallest medical components. The scope produces high-quality images via a high-resolution fiber-optic image bundle. The fibers also provide the scope’s semi-rigid flexibility, allowing them to reach into narrow, twisting paths.

Thermal Spray Technologies provides a variety of coatings for medical applications, including bio-compatible coatings for implant prosthetics, metallic coatings for EMI/RFI shielding, electrically conductive coatings, and wear-resistant coatings to protect against abrasion, erosion, and corrosion. The types of materials that can be used in the coatings, and the materials onto which the coatings can be applied, are wide in variety. If it melts, it can be sprayed.

Tomorrow, we wrap up our post-show coverage.


Topics: