Industry News

During IMTS Plan a Visit to Booth F-2744
September 08 2008 - During the hectic times at IMTS 2008, taking time to visit Booth F-2744 will be quite enlightening.

Report: Latin American Orthopedic Device Market Growing Fast
September 08 2008 - Reconstructive joint implants are the largest and fastest-growing orthopedic device segment across Latin America, exceeding growth in the U.S. - a fact analysts say will create many opportunities for market entry and expansion.

Pathway Medical Technologies Receives FDA Clearance for Jetstream Pathway PV Atherectomy System
September 08 2008 - Pathway Medical Technologies, Inc., an innovator of endovascular treatments for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has given the company clearance to market Jetstream, a peripheral atherectomy catheter designed for use in the treatment of PAD in the lower limbs.

CNC Software, Inc. Makes the CAD/CAM World a Little Greener
September 06 2008 - CNC Software Inc. made a conscious commitment to incorporate environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices ever since the company was founded, 25 years ago.

New Subsidiary, Hong Kong Location to 'Energize' Sales for Bal Seal
September 06 2008 - Bal Seal Engineering, Inc., a U.S.- based sealing, connecting and energizing products manufacturer, has chosen Hong Kong as a base of operations for its Asia Pacific sales office.

Medical Device Manufacturer MRPC Invests $2 Million in Clean Rooms, Molding Equipment
September 06 2008 - MRPC, a single-source provider of medical device components and assemblies, has added a Class 10,000 and Class 100,000 clean room, and four new molding machines.

Zimmer Holdings Inc. Announces Agreement to Acquire Abbott Spine
September 05 2008 - Zimmer Holdings Inc. announced that certain of its subsidiaries have agreed to acquire the Abbott Spine business from Abbott for approximately $360 million in cash. Zimmer said it expects to fund the purchase price from cash on hand and borrowings under existing credit facilities.

A MUST SEE AT IMTS - Medical Day at the Innovation Center
September 04 2008 - Register today and mark your calendar for Friday, September 12, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. in Booth D-4168, Lakeside Center (East Building). You will be participating in one of the most informative events to educate, enlighten and inform you about the medical industry - IMTS Medical Day at the Innovation Center - sponsored by Today's Medical Developments - "The Future of Medical Technologies and Manufacturing: Where We Are, Where We Are Headed."

Baldor Electric Co. Acquires Maska Power Transmission Business
September 04 2008 - Baldor Electric Company markets, designs, and manufactures industrial electric motors, power transmission products, drives, and generators and is based in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Today Baldor announced that it has acquired Poulies Maska, Inc. of Ste-Claire, Quebec, Canada.

MISUMI TO HOST CONFIGURATION TECH SEMINARS
September 04 2008 - Configuration Tech Seminars to be held in October and November 2008 and Webinars to be held in October and December 2008

IMTS Medical Day at the Innovation Center - Sponsored by Today's Medical Developments
September 03 2008 - Register today and mark your calendar for Friday, September 12, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. in Booth D-4168, Lakeside Center (East Building). You will be participating in one of the most informative events to educate, enlighten and inform you about the medical industry - IMTS Medical Day at the Innovation Center - sponsored by Today's Medical Developments - "The Future of Medical Technologies and Manufacturing: Where We Are, Where We Are Headed."

GibbsCAM Post Processors Available for Mori Seiki's New NZ Series
September 03 2008 - Cimatron Limited has announced today the release of GibbsCAM post processors developed for Mori Seiki's NZ series of machine tools. GibbsCAM's posted output effectively supports the advanced capabilities of these multi-tasking machine tools, because of a collaborative effort with Mori Seiki. As competitive pressures grow, so does the market demand for high-efficiency mass production machine tools like the Mori Seiki NZ line which can dramatically reduce machining time.

HANDS OFF! at the SURFWARE BOOTH at IMTS
September 03 2008 - Surfware, Inc. today announced that CAMcad Technologies, Inc. (CAMcad), one of Surfwares Value Added Resellers that focuses on automating difficult manufacturing processes, will demonstrate their automated, web-enabled, distributed Manufacturing Expert System featuring SURFCAM Velocity Powered by TrueMillﾮ at the IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show, Chicago, September 8  13).

Mitsubishi Electric Displays Palm-Sized Device for Medical X-Ray
September 02 2008 - Mitsubishi Electric Corp. announced Thursday it has developed a palm-size accelerator that generates powerful X-rays for applications like medical diagnosis and nondestructive inspection.

Industry to Standardize Measurements, Reporting of Pediatric Dose From CT Scan
September 02 2008 - Medical imaging equipment manufacturers have agreed to work with the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging to create standardized radiation dose estimates and vendor-sponsored technologist education opportunities.

FDA Issues MRI Implant Guidance
August 28 2008 - The Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) released a guidance document Aug. 21 to establish the safety and compatibility of passive implants in the MR environment.

Elmo Motion Control Launches Web-Based Training Sessions
August 27 2008 - Elmo Motion Control is proud to announce the launch of its free of charge Web-based training instructional modules to help customers get the best results from Elmo's products - at their own pace. Elmo provides professional tools to enrich knowledge and support application requirements as customers implement Elmo's motion control products.

Bridgemedica Achieves ISO 13485:2003
August 27 2008 - Bridgemedica, LLC, a company providing high value innovative concept-to-market services in design, development engineering, sourcing, clean room assembly and distribution of innovative new medical devices, announced today that it has achieved ISO 13485:2003 certification through auditor BSI Management Systems.

Kaiser Celebrates 60 Years of Passion for Precision
August 27 2008 - To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Heinz Kaiser AG welcomed employees, customers, salespeople and licensed partners from all over the globe into its Rmlang, Switzerland facility.

Kaiser Celebrates 60 Years of Passion for Precision
August 27 2008 - For the past 60 years, Kaiser has demonstrated its Passion for Precision in product performance, innovation and service to the industry. Heinz Kaiser AG, founded in 1948 by Heinz Kaiser, specializes in the development and manufacturing of high-precision modular tooling systems. Since its beginning, Kaiser has remained the market leader in precision boring because of its superior standards in quality and manufacturing.

FDA Clears CMS' Autosegmentation Software
August 26 2008 - CMS has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its new Atlas-Based Autosegmentation (ABAS) product.

FDA 510(k) Process Provides Framework for Effective Medical Device Regulation
August 26 2008 - The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) today released a white paper explaining the history and evolution of FDAs premarket notification, or 510(k), process for medical devices and diagnostics. Approximately 90 percent of the medical devices available in the U.S. have been evaluated by FDA through the 510(k) process allowing patients to have access to essential life-saving, life-enhancing safe medical technology in a timely fashion. FDA clears approximately 3,500 510(k)s per year.

GF AgieCharmilles Machining Cells Incorporate Automatic Inspection with Hexagon Metrology CMM Technology
August 25 2008 - GF AgieCharmilles and Hexagon Metrology, Inc. have collaborated to incorporate measurement systems into machining cells. Integrating GF AgieCharmilles machining cells with CMM technology from Hexagon Metrology creates a complete closed loop manufacturing system that introduces a new level of flexibility and efficiency for machining parts. Through this innovative collaboration, Hexagon Metrology is now a project and technology partner for GF AgieCharmilles automation projects worldwide. The new "ProductionCell" debuted in Europe at the Control Show.

Smith & Nephew Shifts Focus to China Operations
August 25 2008 - International medical device maker Smith & Nephew is expanding its China manufacturing facilities for the usual two reasons: the cost savings and the growing importance of the China medical market.

Abbott to Cut 1,000 Jobs From Dagnostic Unit
August 23 2008 - Drug and medical device maker Abbott Laboratories said Thursday it will cut 1,000 jobs as part of a multiyear effort to lower spending on its medical testing business.

FDA Plans for National Joint Orthopedic Device Registry
August 23 2008 - Orthopedic device manufacturers would benefit from the program because it would "offer more timely, comprehensive assessment of the 'real world' experience of their devices and an alternative means to conduct mandated postapproval studies," an FDA spokesman says.

U.S. Patent Office Notice of Allowance for Engagement Milling (TrueMill)
August 22 2008 - Surfware Inc., developer of innovative CAD/CAM software for machining, announced today that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its Engagement Milling technology. A Notice of Allowance signifies that the application has been examined and is allowed for issuance as a patent.

Scientists Design Shield to Prevent Deadly Pacemaker Hijack
August 22 2008 - A 'cloaking' device that stops computer hackers maliciously hijacking pacemakers' radio signals could save lives, say scientists.

Home Diagnostics, Inc. Gets Approval for Blood Glucose Meter
August 22 2008 - Home Diagnostics, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of diabetes testing supplies, announced that it received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the world's smallest blood glucose meter, TRUE2go, and for TRUEresult, the company's latest advanced performance, no-coding meter for at-home testing.

St. Jude Medical Receives FDA Approval of Arecibo Manufacturing Plant
August 21 2008 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved St. Jude Medical, Inc.'s new facility in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, for the manufacturing of pacemakers and cardiac leads.