Medical Extrusion Experience

Chuck Keyes

Chuck Keyes

* Experience: Thirty plus years in the art of Medical Extrusions...
* Philosophy: "Medical extrusions involve science, experience, and a touch of Magic."
* Chuck's Engineering Rule: "Only a well engineered extrusion die will produce high-quality, precision componets."
* Hobbies: Writing poetry, writing science fiction stories, woodworking, electronics, vegetable gardening, and computer graphics.

keyes-extrusion@earthlink.net

Medical Extrusion Engineer

Extensive knowledge of extrusion equipment manufacturers.

Extrusion head designs include straight heads, standard crosshead, multi-lumen crosshead, and a twin-tubing-head with independent wall adjustments, designed exclusively for extruding thermal bonded twin tubing.

Extrusion product knowledge and die designs based on the medical industry:

Catheters

Dilators

Suction tubing

Oxygen tubing

Funnel tubing

Taper tubing

Multi-lumen catheters

Surgical blade covers

Needle covers

Extension lines

IV tubing

Sheaths, thin wall

Stainless steel or Nylon braided high pressure tubing

Paratubing

Barium striped tubing

Thermo-bonded tubing

Medical profiles

Etc…

Vast knowledge of plastics utilized for medical extrusions:

Flexible glass-clear PVC

Frosted PVC

Rigid PVC

Polyurethane

Polyethylene (HD, LD, LLD)

Polystyrene

Polycarbonate

Polypropylene

Polyester

Nylon

ABS

Acrylic

EVA

Hydrophilic resins

Proprietary resins

Custom compounds

Additives: Barium, Bismuth, etc.

Some FEP knowledge, fluoropolymers!

Knowledge of extrusion In-line processes include:

Free extrusion

Vacuum sizing systems

Nylon & stainless steel braiding technology

Striping

Co-extrusions

On-line printing

On-line coiling

Cut to length technology for producing clean medical cuts

On-line punching

Jacketing

Tape extrusions

Slit tubing

Tear-away tubing

Ribbon extrusions

Layer extrusions

Down-stream floating with overhead water spray units for large tubes

Thermal bonding

Belled tubing systems

Profile air systems

Filament extrusions

On-line micrometer systems

Etc…

Understanding of GMP, ISO, & FDA guidelines for medical extrusion manufacturing.

Medical product knowledge exceeds the boundaries of extrusion, which includes:

Medical component design

Tipping

Butt welding

Punching

Braiding Machines

Grinding machines, Royal Master

Clean-room requirements & design

Component assembly processes

Medical fixtures and jig design

Dip tubing systems, including dip tubing tank designs

Etc…

Extrusion Auxiliary Equipment:

Air Compressors

Chilled Water Systems, closed or open loop

knowledge to purchase and set-up a complete extrusion facility

Etc…

I am available for Medical Extrusion Consulting, aiding medical manufacturers in the art of plastic extrusion engineering... Please let me know if you're interested...

Whether you wish to bring extrusion in-house, or add new extruded products to your existing extrusion operation, my extensive medical extrusion expertise would be beneficial.