Podcast: Cameron Bell, Design and Application Engineer at Delta ModTech

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Conversation Overview

1. 1. Introduction to Delta ModTech:

      • Company Overview:
        • Delta ModTech is a family-owned company specializing in custom rotary converting machines and coating/drying equipment. Originally focused on web handling for continuous materials, the company has expanded its capabilities to include more complex medical devices and wearables.
      • Coating and Drying Acquisition:
        • In 2016, Delta acquired Frontier Coating, blending Delta’s expertise in web handling with Frontier’s coating and drying expertise to enhance product offerings.

   2. Technological Advancements in Medical Device Production:

      • Web Handling and Discrete Part Integration:
        • Delta’s focus has been on handling delicate materials and introducing discrete parts (like batteries and electronic housings) into continuous web production. They employ SCARA robots and servo motors to automate this integration process.
      • Medical Device Applications:
        • Delta works on devices like skin adhesives with flexible circuits, managing challenges like handling delicate materials, precise bonding, liquid dispensing, and minimizing material waste.

   3. Manufacturing Challenges for Medical Devices:

      • Material Handling and Scrap Reduction:
        • A common challenge is handling delicate, extensible materials with low tension and reducing material waste due to the high cost of components.
      • Precision and Complexity:
        • As medical devices become more complex and miniaturized, Delta adapts its equipment to manage the smaller parts and high accuracy required.

   4. Medical Wearables and Industry Trends:

      • Emergence of Wearables:
        • Delta ModTech has shifted focus toward medical wearables. As wearables evolve, there is a growing need for higher throughput, tighter tolerances, and increased automation.
      • Technological Innovation:
        • To meet industry demands, Delta is adopting cutting-edge technology, such as advanced servo motors, direct-drive die cutting, and closed-loop vision systems to ensure precise converting and cutting processes.
      • Printed Electronics and Flexible Circuits:
        • Delta sees potential growth in printed electronics and flexible circuits for wearables, an area where they are actively seeking to expand their expertise and collaboration with companies like Tapecon.

   5. Validation and Compliance for Medical Device Manufacturing:

      • Validation Packages:
        • Delta offers validation services, including writing and performing validation procedures to ensure that machines and components function as intended. They also assist with IQ, OQ, and PQ testing and CE certification for international markets.
      • Measurement and Inspection:
        • They provide equipment for measuring product uniformity, thickness, and strength, helping customers ensure compliance with medical and pharmaceutical standards.

   6. Collaboration with Tapecon and Trade Shows:

      • Partnership for Innovation:
        • Delta ModTech and Tapecon are collaborating to showcase their joint capabilities in printed electronics and medical wearables at upcoming trade shows, including MDM East.
      • Trade Show Demonstrations:
        • At MDM East in New York, Delta and Tapecon will demonstrate a project focused on printed electronics and interactive medical devices, showcasing how their combined expertise can benefit product designers in the medical industry.