For the inaugural episode of the Better Product Solutions Podcast, Steve is joined by Len Allison from Engineered Material Systems to discuss flexible printed electronics, changes in materials, ASTM standards and the overall durability characteristics that make this a reality. Watch the video or read the full conversation transcript.

Millions of patients depend on medical devices for diagnosis, monitoring, or treatment of health conditions. An incredible amount of time and expertise is required to ensure these devices work properly – from extensive research and development to hands-on care from a medical professional. But at the end of the day, a medical device can only do its job when it’s effectively attached to the patient, which is why securement is a critical aspect to consider during product development.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many questions as to how we will move forward once the spread of the virus is reduced. While no one knows for sure what the future will hold, it’s safe to say that everyday life will not be the same for some time. The “new normal” may likely include wearing masks, avoiding large crowds, reducing travel, and other precautions. There may also be a new expectation for OEMs to produce products with an elevated focus on consumer health and safety.

In our personal lives, long-term and valuable relationships are rarely formed based on a single attribute. The same goes for having a productive relationship with a contract manufacturer. While there are numerous benefits to outsourcing manufacturing, it's critical that you select the right partner. To do so, there are also many factors to consider (hint: not just price).

The more innovative and unique your product is, the more likely that you will need to create new components that aren’t readily available. This may sound like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite practical through custom materials converting. Custom converting is an overarching term that applies to any process that modifies original material to suit your product design. It can be as simple as slicing a sheet of material to a different size, or as complex as combining multiples processes to create an innovative, fully operational product. While the possibilities of custom converting are virtually endless, there are a handful of popular processes you can use.

Your electronic device is constantly under attack. It can come from anywhere and have devastating consequences on the circuits and performance of your device. We’re talking about electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). In the fight against interference, one weapon you have at your disposal is shielding tape. Let’s explore how this product can be an effective and cost-efficient solution for protecting your device from EMI/RFI interference.

Wearables are the next frontier for medical and electronic device companies. The demand for consumer products to monitor fitness and personal health is on the rise. According to Accenture, the use of consumer wearable devices quadrupled in four years – going from 9% in 2014 to 33% in 2018. On the clinical side, wearable health technology such as EGG monitors, blood pressure monitors, and biosensors allow doctors to base decisions on real-time data, improve patient outcomes, and improve the efficiency of nurses and other medical staff. The development of wearable devices comes with unique design and manufacturing challenges. Here are two things to consider when developing a wearable.

Product designers are continually challenged to develop the “next big thing.” However, novel products call for new, complex components. That leaves OEMs with two options: either invest in additional equipment and labor to manufacture the components in-house, or outsource the task to a custom materials converter. More and more, forward-thinking companies are opting for the latter. In this article, we’ll discuss the advantages of partnering with an experienced converter.

One of the many benefits of working with a custom converter is tapping into your partner’s material expertise. Through consultation and collaboration, a converter should be able to help you identify the ideal materials and converting processes for your specific application – instead of modifying your design to accommodate available stock components. If you’re new to working with a custom materials converter, here’s a quick idea of how the process works.