Case Study

It’s simple: superior medical equipment means faster, more accurate diagnoses, which results in better patient outcomes.  

Precision medicine is about optimizing healthcare for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions in a world full of variables. This initiative considers how patients' lifestyles and genetics affect diseases and disorders. As a result, there has been an increase in patient-centered testing that provides outcome-based information. Medical imaging, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has become crucial to diagnosing and monitoring diseases and disorders.  

One of the top three global healthcare companies specializes in the manufacturing of MRI machines. Since the 1980s, the company has made significant industry-leading advances in MRI scanning technology and its medical imaging equipment is used at top-tier hospitals, clinics, and universities throughout the world. Physicians and patients trust this company to manufacturer MRI machines that deliver consistent, clear, high-quality images. This leaves no room for error in the manufacturing process. How the end product performs could be the difference in detecting cancer early or not detecting it at all.  

Optimizing manufacturing processes 

To stay at the forefront of medical imaging and diagnostics, the leading healthcare company continuously optimizes its MRI machines, upgrading the software, design, materials, and systems. As these machines become more refined and complex, the manufacturing process similarly evolves.  

Specifically, the company began manufacturing smaller, more compact machines that could be easily transported and take up less space in the clinic. This meant that the internal components of the MRI machine were also decreasing in size, and the company needed new tube squaring machines that could cut the small diameter tubing. 

After considering several market solutions, the leading healthcare company selected Tri Tool’s 572AC SEVERMASTER™ to cut the small diameter tubing and Tri Tool’s 301SP Tube Squaring Tool to prepare that tubing for autogenous welding.  

The 572AC SEVERMASTER severs .25” to 2″ (6.4 to 50.8mm) diameter tubes and thin wall pipe. This machine enhances productivity by incorporating the auto-cycle tool model and quick lock collet closure. A cam cycle tool bit feed mechanism, with adjustable depth of feed from .001” to .005” (.02 to .13mm), automatically returns the tool bit to the home position ready to start the next cut, and a variable speed motor provides further cutting speed control for increased tool bit life and ID burr reduction. 

Figure 1. Tri Tool’s 572AC SEVERMASTER 

Tri Tool’s 301SP Tube Squaring Tool machines 1/8” to 1.125” OD (3.18 mm to 28.6 mm) tubing and fittings with minimum grip length. Size-specific saddles and clamp assemblies hold the fabricated fittings to machine the ends flat and square with minimal to no burrs on either the ID or OD of the tube—which is critical when manufacturing medical equipment, such as MRI machines.  


 

Figure 2. Tri Tool’s 300SP Tube Squaring Tool 

 

Medical-grade precision 

Medical equipment fabrication, like the manufacturing of MRI machines, requires fastidious attention to detail to ensure adherence to strict specifications, regulations, and end-user expectations. For over 45 years, Tri Tool has been a preferred partner of numerous medical equipment manufacturers. We recognized the vital importance of precision in the manufacturing of medical equipment and laboratory facilities. Our custom engineering and precision machining solutions deliver outstanding outcomes and achieve extraordinarily tight tolerances with unsurpassed accuracy.   

To learn more about how Tri Tool’s custom engineering and precision machining solutions and services for life science applications, please complete the form below or email LifeSciences@TriTool.com