Confluent Medical Debuts Filmcast Select for Tailored Polymer Tubing Performance

Confluent Medical Technologies, Chattanooga, Tennessee, announced the launch of Filmcast Select, a materials customization program that enables medical device OEMs to tailor key performance attributes of Filmcast PTFE and polyimide tubing for specific applications.

The program addresses a growing challenge in minimally invasive device design: as procedures advance and devices become smaller and more complex, the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to polymer tubing is no longer sufficient. Filmcast Select allows customers to select tubing based on the characteristics that matter most, including flexibility, strength, durability, surface finish, and optical clarity.

The program includes several specialized PTFE options: FlexaCast for increased flexibility and elongation, DuraCast for enhanced abrasion resistance, and UltraCast for higher tensile strength in demanding applications. Confluent can also work with customer-preferred PTFE dispersions, allowing OEMs to leverage existing biocompatibility data and reduce development time.

Confluent Medical Technologies is a global leader in the design and manufacture of medical devices and components, specializing in nitinol, polymer, and catheter-based technologies.

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One Minute Mentor: Mechanical Shock

Mechanical shock is sometimes used to stabilize tool steels. One method of producing shock is to suspend the part so that it hangs freely and then strike it with a wooden hammer. This is believed to set up elastic waves which add to the magnitude of the residual stress imparted by the previous heat treatment. At locations where the resultant magnitude of stress exceeds the elastic limit, plastic flow should occur and result in stress relief. This would be manifest by higher dimensional stability. A shock treatment should not be considered as a substitute for a thermal method of stabilization but rather as an auxiliary method which enhances stabilization.

Dimensional changes in W1 steel resulting from dropping on a concrete floor as determined by Fletcher (are shown in Fig. 6. The untempered specimens showed greater dimensional changes than the tempered specimens due to the higher level of residual stress in the untempered condition.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 6.

Jon L. Dossett; George E. Totten, *Control of Distortion in Tool Steels*, ASM International, 2014
https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.9781627081689

Automotive parts manufacturer in Germany implements Qmulus to advance digital transformation

Qmulus, Finsterwalde, Germany announced that a leading European automotive parts manufacturer has implemented its digital platform to initiate a major transformation in smart manufacturing. This marks the client’s first step toward digitalization, with a focus on enhancing furnace operations through remote monitoring and data collection.

The client selected Qmulus to address a critical need for digital control of industrial belt furnaces, which previously lacked any remote system. The initial implementation connects two key furnace assets to the Qmulus platform, allowing for real-time operational visibility and control, independent of operator location.

The decision to deploy Qmulus was shaped by the manufacturer’s prior experience with UPC-Marathon, reflecting a foundation of trust and established collaboration in the sector. The project is secured through a multi-year Software as a Service (SaaS) agreement, underlining a long-term commitment to operational improvement and scalable technology integration.

Although the implementation is in its early stages, Qmulus stated that the groundwork has been set for substantial efficiency and productivity gains. The company emphasized that this partnership demonstrates its growing role in supporting manufacturers with connected, data-driven systems designed for long-term impact.

Read further here:  www.qmulus.ai.

Kanthal wins e-prize for industrial heating electrification

Kanthal, Amherst, NY, announced that it has been awarded the prestigious E-prize in the energy optimization category for its innovative technology supporting fossil-free industrial production. Organized by Sweden’s leading business newspaper Dagens Industri, Aktuell Hållbarhet, and the energy group E.ON, the E-prize recognizes groundbreaking advancements in energy innovation. This marks the 16th year the award has celebrated industry-leading solutions.

The jury highlighted Kanthal’s ability to combine a 90-year-old invention with modern innovation to replace natural gas with electric heating in high-temperature industrial processes. This transition enables fossil-free production, reducing emissions and improving working conditions. Kanthal was recognized as a global pioneer in sustainable industrial electrification, with applications ranging from steel production to manufacturing solar cells and batteries.

Robert Ståhl, president of Kanthal, noted the significance of the award, stating that the company’s technology allows industries such as steel, batteries, semiconductors, and glass to reduce emissions by transitioning to electricity for industrial heating. Nicolai Schaaf, sustainability manager at Kanthal, added that electrification not only reduces emissions but also supports the broader expansion of fossil-free energy management.

Kanthal’s technology, rooted in a 93-year-old innovation, is designed to electrify high-temperature processes across industries, eliminating CO2 emissions when powered by fossil-free electricity. These processes, integral to manufacturing sectors such as steel, aluminum, glass, and cement, account for a significant share of global industrial CO2 emissions, making Kanthal’s solutions critical for sustainable industrial transformation.

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Wisconsin Oven ships small batch oven to Canadian manufacturer

Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, WI, announced the international shipment of an electrically heated small batch oven to a Canadian manufacturer of automotive components. The oven, designed for curing parts, has a maximum temperature rating of 650°F and chamber dimensions of 4’ W x 4’ L x 4’ H. Prior to shipment, the oven’s temperature uniformity of ± 10°F was verified through a nine-point profile test conducted in an empty chamber under static conditions.

The unit features patented high-efficiency panel seams for improved insulation, a 4” thick insulated floor, and two carbon steel shelves for part loading, each rated for 5 pounds per square foot. It utilizes combination airflow for optimal heating rates and uniformity, with temperature controlled by a Watlow F4T digital controller, featuring a touch screen, PID control, and Ethernet communication.

The oven also includes a process timer with an audible alarm, ensuring consistent curing and part quality.

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