Harper International promotes new CEO and COO

Harper International, Buffalo, New York, announced the promotion of Janelle Camesano to Chief Executive Officer and John Schenk to Chief Operating Officer. Camesano, who holds an MBA and PHR certification, has been with Harper for 13 years, rising through human resources and administration roles before assuming the top leadership position. Schenk has been part of the Harper team for over 14 years, most recently serving as Vice President of Operations. The leadership transition reflects an internal succession at the global thermal processing equipment manufacturer, which provides customized furnace, kiln, and oven systems for production of advanced materials including carbon fiber, battery materials, and technical ceramics.

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Fort Wayne Metals receives Medtronic 2025 Supplier Innovation Excellence Award

Fort Wayne Metals, Fort Wayne, Indiana, received Medtronic’s 2025 Supplier Innovation Excellence Award for its nitinol melt program, which Medtronic recognized for strengthening global supply chain resilience and supporting the advancement of life-improving medical technologies.

Fort Wayne Metals is a fully integrated nitinol supplier, controlling every step of the manufacturing process from ingot melting through custom finishing of wires, tubes, and components. The company began working with nitinol in 1991 and established a dedicated melt facility in 2012. Between 2022 and 2024, production of melted nitinol for medical applications doubled, and a second vacuum arc remelting (VAR) furnace brought online in early 2025 positions the company to double output again. Melted nitinol now represents 74 percent of all nitinol products the company sells.

“Our goal is to enable our customers to develop their innovations, from nitinol melt to custom finishing of products,” said Scott Glaze, President and CEO of Fort Wayne Metals. The award reflects the company’s role as a critical upstream supplier to medical device manufacturers developing stents, guidewires, and implantable components that rely on nitinol’s unique superelastic and shape memory properties.

Fort Wayne Metals employs more than 2,000 people across its Fort Wayne, Indiana headquarters and facilities in Columbia City, Indiana, and Galway, Ireland.

[Read further here](https://www.medicaldesignandoutsourcing.com/medtronic-nitinol-supplier-fort-wayne-metals/)

Dynalloy transfers Flexinol actuator wire technology to insulin pump leader

Dynalloy Inc., Irvine, California, announced the transfer of its Flexinol actuator wire technology, equipment, personnel, and know-how to support vertical integration at one of the world’s largest providers of insulin pump delivery products. The agreement also includes exclusivity for direct-to-human drug delivery applications.

Flexinol actuator wires are made of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy and contract when electrically heated, functioning as compact, silent, lightweight actuators ideally suited for the precise mechanisms required in miniaturized medical devices. The technology transfer enables the insulin pump manufacturer to integrate advanced SMA actuator capabilities directly into its production operations.

In response to the transfer, Dynalloy has relocated to new state-of-the-art facilities to support increased Flexinol actuator wire manufacturing and related value-added products and sub-assemblies for its broader customer base spanning automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace, and industrial automation applications.

[www.dynalloy.com](https://www.dynalloy.com)

Integer to showcase neuromodulation innovations and fast-charge battery at NANS 2026

nteger Holdings Corporation, Plano, Texas, showcased its latest advancements in neuromodulation and next-generation miniaturized active implantable medical devices at the North American Neuromodulation Society Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, January 22-25, 2026.

The company highlighted the Xcellion Gen 3 Fast Charge lithium ion battery, which delivers best-in-class runtime and can recharge in as little as 30 minutes. Integer also demonstrated end-to-end contract development and manufacturing capabilities spanning high-performance batteries, fully integrated implantable pulse generators, and lead systems designed to accelerate development timelines and reduce risk for device companies bringing novel therapies to market.

“Miniaturization is transforming the future of implantable technologies, and we’re proud to partner with customers to make that future a reality,” said Jim Stephens, President of Cardiac Rhythm Management & Neuromodulation at Integer.

Integer Holdings is among the world’s largest medical device contract development and manufacturing organizations, serving cardiac rhythm management, neuromodulation, and cardiovascular markets. Its brands include Greatbatch Medical and Lake Region Medical.

[www.integer.net](https://www.integer.net)

Ilika completes first commercial Stereax electrode delivery to Cirtec Medical

Cirtec Medical, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, has received the first commercial batch of Stereax solid-state battery electrodes from Ilika, Southampton, United Kingdom, for Stereax M300 production. The delivery fulfills the first revenue-generating order under a commercial supply arrangement initiated in January 2026.

The electrodes will support Stereax M300 batteries used in validation and customer sampling across multiple active implantable medical device categories, including implanted sensors, neurostimulators, orthopedic implants, orthodontic wearables, and ophthalmology devices. The Stereax M300 is an ultra-thin, millimeter-scale, rechargeable solid-state battery containing no liquid or polymer components, designed specifically for implantable applications.

“Our close technical cooperation with Ilika has developed into an effective operational partnership, ensuring customers receive the highest quality product for device integration,” said Shawn Martin, Vice President at Cirtec Medical.

Cathode manufacturing remains at Ilika’s UK facility as the most complex production step, while primary battery manufacturing occurs at Cirtec’s facility in Lowell, Massachusetts. The milestone marks Ilika’s transition from technology development to commercial supply in the medical device battery market.

[www.cirtecmed.com](https://www.cirtecmed.com)

Smith+Nephew signs exclusive US distribution agreement with RMR Ortho for nitinol fixation system

Smith+Nephew, Watford, United Kingdom, announced an exclusive US distribution agreement with RMR Ortho to add the A’TOMIC Nitinol Fixation System to its Trauma, Foot & Ankle, and Hand & Wrist portfolio.

The A’TOMIC system leverages proprietary manufacturing methods and the unique properties of nitinol to provide compressive fixation implants featuring a wide bridge with barbed, round legs that match drill holes. The system is engineered to achieve stability of fusion, fracture, and osteotomy sites through high strength and active compression, designed to improve implant integrity and patient comfort.

“This partnership strengthens Smith+Nephew’s fixation portfolio by adding a dynamic compression fixation solution that complements our existing technologies,” said Scott Gunn, Vice President of U.S. Marketing, Trauma, Extremities, and Shoulder at Smith+Nephew. The agreement expands the company’s ability to participate in high-frequency fracture and arthrodesis procedures while leveraging established Extremities and Trauma sales channels.

“Partnering with Smith+Nephew represents an important step forward as we continue to expand access to the A’TOMIC Nitinol Fixation System across key U.S. territories,” said Joe Ritz, CEO of RMR Ortho.

Smith+Nephew is a global medical technology company operating in more than 100 countries with approximately 18,000 employees.

[www.smith-nephew.com](https://www.smith-nephew.com)

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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Ipsen USA Receives New Vacuum Furnace Order from Urschel Laboratories

Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Illinois, announced a new equipment order from Urschel Laboratories for a MetalMaster HR 54×48 vacuum furnace. The order marks 40 years of partnership between the two companies, with the new unit replacing an original Ipsen furnace installed in 1986.

The MetalMaster HR is designed for high-performance heat treating applications including hardening, tempering, brazing, and annealing in a vacuum or partial-pressure environment. The furnace features a horizontal front-loading design with an integrated high-pressure gas quench system.

Urschel Laboratories, based in Chesterton, Indiana, is a global manufacturer of precision food cutting equipment. The company relies on vacuum heat treatment to achieve the hardness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability required for its cutting components, which operate under demanding production conditions in the food processing industry.

The replacement of the 1986 furnace reflects both the longevity of Ipsen equipment and the ongoing need for modern controls, energy efficiency, and process documentation capabilities in today’s manufacturing environment. Ipsen reported a 45% year-over-year increase in new equipment units sold in 2025.

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Furukawa Electric named to CDP’s 2024 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard for climate action

Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan announced that it has been named to the 2024 Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA) Leaderboard by CDP, an international environmental nonprofit organization. The recognition places the company among the highest-ranked corporations worldwide for its initiatives addressing climate change across the supply chain and for its transparent environmental disclosures.

The CDP supplier engagement assessment evaluates corporate actions that promote emissions reduction and collaboration throughout the value chain. This marks the fifth time Furukawa Electric has earned a place on the leaderboard, reflecting sustained progress in environmental management and reporting.

Aligned with its “Furukawa Electric Group Vision 2030,” the company has advanced its ESG-driven management strategy to enhance long-term corporate value. Under its Environmental Vision 2050—first established in 2021 and updated in March 2025—Furukawa Electric is pursuing initiatives that contribute to a carbon-free society. The company also received SBTi 1.5°C certification in July 2023 for its science-based emissions reduction targets.

Furukawa Electric stated that the recognition underscores its commitment to tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout its supply chain. Future plans include expanding the use of renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric and solar power and continuing energy efficiency improvements across offices and manufacturing plants. The company reaffirmed its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.

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Ilika and Cirtec advance miniaturized medical implants

Cirtec Medical, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota announced a collaborative approach with  Ilika, Southampton, United Kingdom, combining application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology with solid-state battery (SSB) innovation to power the next generation of active implantable medical devices (AIMDs). The integration aims to enable compact, rechargeable, and efficient implants for applications such as neuromodulation and cardiac sensing.

The joint solution addresses long-standing design challenges in AIMDs, including limited energy storage capacity, wireless power transfer efficiency, and stable memory retention during low-power or pulsed operating cycles.

Ilika’s Stereax M300 solid-state battery delivers high energy density in a miniaturized footprint, reducing recharge times and extending implant life to minimize the need for replacement surgeries. Cirtec’s ASIC platform complements this by managing power regulation, memory integrity, and startup control, even under variable energy conditions.

By combining these technologies, Ilika and Cirtec offer a scalable and reliable energy architecture for medical device developers, supporting safer, longer-lasting, and more sustainable implant designs that enhance patient outcomes while accelerating product development for medtech innovators.

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One Minute Mentor: Effects of cyclic treatments on martempered L3 steel

The effects of various subcooling and tempering cycles on martempered L3 steel were investigated with changes in specimen length tracked throughout the treatments. All length changes were measured relative to the original, as-martempered state.

The study included four treatment protocols, each maintaining a total tempering time of 10 hours at 120 °C (250 °F), though distributed differently across cycles:

  • Treatment A: Specimens were cooled to −195 °C (−320 °F), then cycled ten times between 20 and 120 °C (68 and 250 °F), holding for 1 hour at 120 °C in each cycle.
  • Treatment B: Samples were tempered for 1 hour at 120 °C, then cooled to −195 °C and held for 1 hour. This sequence was repeated for a total of ten cycles.
  • Treatment C: Specimens were first cooled to −195 °C and held for 1 hour, then tempered at 120 °C for 1 hour. This subcooling-tempering sequence was also repeated ten times.
  • Treatment D: Specimens were cooled to −195 °C and then tempered continuously for 10 hours at 120 °C.

For clarity, the length changes from Treatment D were omitted from the associated figure (Fig. 3), though its net expansion was found to be comparable to that of Treatment A.

Results indicated that the first two refrigeration cycles following martempering were effective in reducing retained austenite in L2 and L3 steels. However, additional cycles beyond the initial two offered no significant benefit. Regardless of cycle structure, maintaining a cumulative tempering time of 10 hours at 120 °C appeared to be a critical factor for dimensional stability.

Two particularly effective strategies combining tempering and subcooling were highlighted:

  • Temper for 1 hour at 120 °C, subcool, repeat the cycle, then temper continuously for an additional 8 hours.
  • Subcool, temper for 1 hour at 120 °C, subcool again, then temper continuously for 9 hours.

These approaches suggest that combining initial subcooling with sufficient cumulative tempering can effectively stabilize the microstructure and dimensions of martempered L3 steel.

One Minute Mentor: Distortion in Tool Steels

To control the distortion that occurs both during and after heat treatment, proper consideration must be given to such factors as design, composition, initial condition, machining procedure, and heat treatment. The design of a tool-steel part directly affects the susceptibility to shape distortion on heating and cooling. Limitations imposed by the design on composition, machining procedure, and heat treatment may indirectly affect both shape and size distortion.  The figure shows the expected magnitude of shape distortion for this range of sizes. The difficulty involved in economically attaining the final dimensions of a part is largely determined by the magnitudes of the specified tolerance limits. 

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 2.Jon L. Dossett; George E. Totten, Control of Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014 https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.9781627081689

 

Lindberg/MPH ships aluminum melting and holding furnace with integrated preheat hearth

Lindberg/MPH, Riverside, Michigan announced the shipment of a gas-fired reverberatory aluminum melting and holding furnace equipped with a preheat hearth. The system is designed for aluminum parts manufacturing and features a melt rate of 10,000 pounds per hour.

The furnace offers a maximum operating temperature of 1,450°F and has a total holding capacity of 85,000 pounds, based on a density of 155 pounds per cubic foot of molten aluminum. Key design features include a full-width, vertically rising air-operated door for loading the preheat hearth, and a full-width cleanout door at the rear for unloading.

Engineered for ease of use and thermal efficiency, the furnace includes an elevated base, a bottom-mounted magnetic stirring mechanism, and an air pressure pump well for dispensing molten aluminum. This configuration enables consistent operation even after extended idle periods, such as weekends, without significant temperature variation between the pump and the furnace.

The system is equipped with three temperature controllers—one for bath temperature regulation and two for high-limit safety control. Standard flame supervision features include timed forced-air purging during start-up or restart after flame failure, and automatic low-fire shutdown in response to excess or insufficient gas or air pressure, or electrical issues.

Lindberg/MPH noted that the shipment reflects continued demand for advanced, high-capacity aluminum melting solutions with integrated safety and operational enhancements.

https://www.lindbergmph.com/about-us/news/lindberg-mph-ships-aluminum-melting-and-holding-furnace-with-preheat-hearth/

Norman Noble receives NTMA Superior Safety award for second consecutive year

Norman Noble, Highland Heights, Ohio, has been honored with the National Tooling & Machining Association’s (NTMA) 2024 Superior Safety Award for the second year in a row. The accolade recognizes member firms achieving exceptional workplace safety performance, and Norman Noble earned this distinction by keeping its incident rate well below the industry average across all advanced manufacturing sites.

The company uses a daily management system to track key performance indicators—such as lost-time claims, recordable injuries, first-aid incidents, near misses, days of restricted work activity, and streaks without a lost-time claim—to monitor progress toward its health, safety and environmental objectives. Julie Bennett Lowry, director of facilities and environmental health and safety, explained that integrating safety observations into daily gemba walks and immediately logging any issues ensures rapid follow-up. Thanks to this proactive process, the firm recorded zero lost-time claims in 2024 and, as of May 1, 2025, has surpassed 1092 consecutive days without a lost-time incident.

Operating over 275,000 square feet of manufacturing space with more than 500 employees, Norman Noble produces precision components for life-saving medical vascular and orthopedic implants. The company said its continued focus on safety underpins both employee well-being and its commitment to maintaining rigorous quality standards.

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Platinum deficit predicted for third year as palladium returns to balance, Johnson Matthey reports

Johnson Matthey, London, England announced that the platinum market will remain in deficit in 2025 while palladium moves back into balance, according to its 2025 PGM Market Report released ahead of London Platinum & Palladium Market week. The company forecasts a 3% decline in primary platinum output due to operational restructuring, extreme weather and maintenance in South Africa, with secondary supplies subdued globally except in China, where a renewed trade-in incentive scheme is boosting scrap returns. Industrial platinum demand is expected to grow modestly, driven by capacity expansions in chemicals, fibreglass, biofuels and synthetic fuels, even as automotive use declines 5% amid the shift to battery electric powertrains.

Palladium, which faced structural deficits from 2012 to 2024, should reach equilibrium in 2025 as stronger recycling in China offsets reduced primary output from South Africa and the U.S., despite weaker scrap flows elsewhere, and a 5% drop in automotive palladium use.

The rhodium market is forecast to stay in deficit after South African supply falls and auto consumption dips, while industrial demand rebounds with normalized glass-industry purchasing. Ruthenium demand is set to climb 2% on data-centre expansions and robust chemical catalyst use, likely resulting in a significant shortfall without further inventory drawdowns. A slight rise in iridium production should help balance that market, as lower chemical usage is offset by increased crucible demand.

Rupen Raithatha, market research director, noted that uncertainty over U.S. import tariffs could weaken vehicle output and scrap volumes, posing downside risks. Margery Ryan, advocacy and market development manager, added that increased defence spending may drive additional PGM demand given their vital role in military and aerospace technologies.

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One minute Mentor: Numerical Simulation in practice

 The comparison of the change in length, e.g. after hardening and tempering, is the next step in the model validation. The figure shows the comparison in the change in length of the cylinder. In the left part the change in length after hardening with nitrogen and additional tempering is shown; in the right part one can see the effect of a more rapid hardening with helium and additional tempering. More important is the fact that the model very well describes the tendency of distortion with a maximum in the center of the cylinder and higher values for the helium quenching.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 17. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Air Products to withdraw from three US projects, refocuses on core hydrogen and energy initiatives

Air Products, Allentown, PA, announced that it will exit three U.S.-based projects as part of a strategic review initiated by its newly elected board of directors and chief executive officer. The decision, intended to sharpen the company’s project portfolio and resource allocation, is expected to result in a pre-tax charge of up to $3.1 billion in its fiscal second quarter of 2025. The charge, which covers asset write-downs and the termination of contractual commitments, will not affect the company’s adjusted earnings per share for the fiscal year.

The canceled projects include:

  • World Energy Partnership, Paramount, CA: Air Products has terminated its agreement with World Energy for the expansion of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel project, citing challenging commercial conditions and operational concerns.
  • Massena, NY Green Hydrogen Facility: The company has canceled plans for a 35 metric ton per day green liquid hydrogen plant, along with associated distribution and dispensing infrastructure. The decision was influenced by recent regulatory changes that rendered hydroelectric power ineligible for the federal Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit (45V), as well as slower-than-anticipated hydrogen mobility market growth in the region.
  • Carbon Monoxide Project in Texas: A planned carbon monoxide production facility has been canceled due to unfavorable economic conditions.

Air Products also reaffirmed its focus on two major initiatives: the NEOM green hydrogen project in Saudi Arabia, which is nearing 80% completion and targeting green ammonia production by late 2026; and the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, expected to start operations in 2028. The company is actively seeking equity partners for the Louisiana project to optimize capital deployment, particularly in the ammonia loop and carbon sequestration segments.

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Daido Steel launches new vacuum arc remelting plant to meet semiconductor industry demand

Daido Steel Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, announced the successful start of operations at its new vacuum arc remelting (VAR) plant at the company’s Chita site. Developed in collaboration with ALD Vacuum Technologies, the plant is designed to increase production capacity for high-purity stainless steels and nickel alloys used in high-performance applications, particularly within the semiconductor industry.

The first VAR plant became operational in December 2024, with finished ingots now undergoing downstream processing. A second remelting unit is scheduled to begin operation in March 2025, with additional capacity expansions planned over the coming years.

The custom-designed VAR plant, supplied by ALD, enables the production of ultra-clean steel with a homogeneous microstructure, meeting the stringent quality standards required for semiconductor components. VAR-processed materials are known for their durability, purity, and consistency, making them ideal for critical industries.

Daido Steel’s investment reflects a strategic move to support the growing global demand for advanced materials in next-generation technologies. The company continues to position itself as a key supplier in the global supply chain for high-performance alloys.

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One minute Mentor: Tool Steels Heat Treatment Simulation Example

The potential of high-temperature simulation (HTS) is demonstrated through the case of a low-silicon, vacuum-arc-melted and remelted H11 hot-work tool steel. To validate the HTS model, a cylindrical steel sample with a diameter and length of 100 mm (4 inches) was selected due to the efficiency benefits of using a simplified 2D geometry. The simulation was calibrated using time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagrams and thermal expansion data obtained from dilatometer experiments. Initial validation focused on comparing simulated phase-transformation behavior with actual dilatometer curves, showing good agreement in key areas such as thermal expansion, austenite formation (with carbides), subsequent contraction, and the transformation kinetics of austenite into martensite, bainite, and pearlite. The model does not currently account for the precipitation of proeutectoid carbides.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 16. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Nitrex division G-M enterprises sees surge in aerospace orders amid market recovery

Nitrex, Quebec, announced that its G-M Enterprises division in Corona, California, is experiencing robust growth, driven by renewed demand in the aerospace sector. 

The division recently secured a significant order from a long-standing aerospace customer for a 6-bar vacuum furnace engineered to meet stringent aerospace manufacturing requirements.

This latest order contributes to a strong fiscal performance for G-M Enterprises in FY2025. The division has already doubled its sales of new hot zone replacements compared to the same period last year, indicating a growing market demand and a sharpened focus on customer engagement.

Mark Hemsath, president of Nitrex and UPC-Marathon, noted that the uptick in aerospace activity is a positive development for the company. He highlighted the strength of G-M Enterprises’ California-based manufacturing capabilities and emphasized the importance of longstanding customer relationships in driving success.

With nearly 40 years of experience in vacuum furnace design and production, G-M Enterprises supports a wide range of applications including additive manufacturing, metal injection molding (MIM), and critical aerospace processes. As part of the Nitrex/UPC-Marathon group, the division leverages integrated heat-treating solutions, automation software, and process control technologies.

As aerospace industry demand continues to rebound, G-M Enterprises is well positioned to deliver high-capacity, precision-engineered systems backed by technical expertise and customer service.

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NUTEC Bickley secures major contract for advanced ceramic core sintering kiln

NUTEC Bickley, Monterrey, Mexico, announced that it has been awarded a contract to supply a four-car shuttle kiln to a leading global energy technology company. The kiln will support sintering of ceramic cores at the customer’s investment casting facility, with firing cycles ranging from 20 to 80 hours, depending on the core specifications.

The gas-fired shuttle kiln is engineered to operate at temperatures up to 2010°F (1100°C) and features a twin-deck kiln car setting. Each car offers setting dimensions of 47 inches long by 63 inches wide by 34 inches high (1.19m x 1.59m x 0.87m), delivering a total effective load volume of 230 cubic feet (6.55m³) across all four cars. The kiln is designed to handle an average total product weight of 970 pounds (440 kg).

Twelve individually controlled high-velocity nozzle-mix burners—firing in a staggered sequence above and below the load—enable optimal heat transfer and temperature uniformity. Each burner includes automatic ignition and a safety system.

The kiln incorporates NUTEC Bickley’s proprietary IMPS® combustion control system, which provides pulse control across eight independent temperature zones, alternating between high and low fire settings. The system allows programmable excess air levels during different stages of the cycle, enhancing fuel efficiency, process precision, and temperature uniformity without relying on constant excess air. IMPS also includes a cooling mode, introducing air through burners and dedicated nozzles for reduced cycle times.

The kiln’s insulation includes NUTEC’s patented Jointless® ceramic fiber system rated to 2600°F (1425°C), ensuring thermal efficiency and durability. Double-labyrinth refractory and insulation brick seals combined with sand seals reduce heat loss and cold air infiltration.

This project builds on NUTEC Bickley’s longstanding relationship with the customer, which includes the delivery of 15 furnaces and ovens over the past decade to its transformer manufacturing division. The award further underscores NUTEC Bickley’s reputation for delivering advanced thermal processing systems to global leaders in high-tech manufacturing.

Read further here: https://www.nutecbickley.com/

Fort Wayne Metals receives 2025 Moving the Needle award for workplace equity

Fort Wayne Metals, Fort Wayne, IN, announced that it has received the 2025 Moving the Needle Award and Bronze-Level honors from the Women’s Fund of Greater Fort Wayne. The recognition was presented at the annual Women in the Workplace Luncheon held on March 12 at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation.

The Moving the Needle Award is given to the organization that demonstrates the most notable progress across four areas: leadership, compensation, benefits and policies, and recruitment and retention. The selection is based on data collected through the Women’s Fund’s annual Compass Survey, which evaluates local employers’ efforts toward achieving gender equity.

This year, a record 75 organizations participated in the survey, reflecting growing engagement across the community. Fort Wayne Metals’ recognition underscores its focused efforts to foster equitable workplace practices and support the advancement of women in its workforce.

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Integer highlights medical device innovation and acquisition at MD&M West

Integer Holdings Corporation, Plano, Texas, showcased the company’s capabilities and solutions to enable cardiac rhythm management and neuromodulation products in addition to its recent acquisition of Precision Coating  in MD&M West 2025.

Integer highlighted its global rapid prototyping services, which offer direct access to engineering and R&D experts with turnaround times as short as two weeks. These services focus on specialized cardiovascular markets and include components such as catheter shafts, guidewires, steerable sheaths, introducers, braiding and textiles, and machined parts.

Payman Khales, president of cardio and vascular at Integer, emphasized the company’s focus on anticipating customer needs through strategic investments. He noted that Integer remains committed to innovation and collaborative partnerships that accelerate speed to market and reduce development risk for its medical technology clients.

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Confluent Medical Technologies launches ultra polyimide for advanced medical device applications

Confluent Medical Technologies, Scottsdale, AZ, announced the release of Ultra Polyimide, a new high-performance polymer tubing that offers approximately double the strength of conventional polyimide. This innovation is aimed at enabling next-generation medical devices that demand both durability and miniaturization.

Ultra Polyimide addresses the need for thinner-walled tubing that maintains structural integrity, allowing for greater design flexibility and improved device performance. By preserving the inner lumen while reducing material usage, engineers can integrate additional features into delivery devices without compromising mechanical strength.

Jill Ellison, vice president of operations at Confluent’s High Precision Polymer Tubing Center of Excellence, noted that the material enables designers to maintain essential column and tensile strength, which opens up opportunities for innovation in minimally invasive technologies.

The tubing is also manufactured without the use of REACH- or EU MDR-restricted solvents, including NMP (n-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone), a substance identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as posing health risks in industrial settings. By eliminating NMP from the production process, Confluent supports regulatory compliance and enhances both workplace and patient safety.

Ultra Polyimide is now available with lead times of three to four weeks, offering a timely solution to the evolving needs of the medical device industry.

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Norman Noble enhances laser welding capabilities for medical device manufacturing

Norman Noble, Highland Heights, Ohio, announced advancements in its laser welding technology to support the precise manufacturing needs of next-generation medical implants and devices. The company’s state-of-the-art fiber laser systems are engineered to deliver exceptional power and positioning accuracy, resulting in highly precise and repeatable welds.

The enhanced laser welding capabilities enable superior joint integrity for complex geometries, with optimized parameters for weld penetration, width, and positioning. These processes are rigorously developed and tested to meet stringent tensile and fatigue requirements for thin-walled and miniature components, while minimizing visual imperfections in the welds.

Jeff Miller, laser process development manager at Norman Noble, emphasized the company’s ability to weld various materials in intricate applications, such as Nitinol-to-Nitinol joints in orthopedic implants and platinum marker welding for stent-like devices. He highlighted the team’s expertise in creating custom solutions tailored to complex medical device manufacturing.

Norman Noble’s ongoing investment in laser technology, including custom fixturing to ensure alignment and repeatability, reinforces its position as a trusted partner for original equipment manufacturers requiring high-quality components in the medical sector.

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GTP elastomer sockets for high-speed applications

Ironwood Electronics, Eagan, Minn., is now producing elastomer sockets which include a protective “P” layer that allows for more insertions by protecting the elastomer from erosion and debris build up, extending the life of the elastomers to 200,000 plus insertions.

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