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Nitinol Processing Services
Your Single-Source Contract Manufacturer of Nitinol Products
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Norman
Noble, Inc. provides the only complete, single-source
contract manufacturing of nickel-titanium products. We do
it all under one roof:
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A
fluidized bed and salt
bath provide rapid
heat transfer and precise temperature control. Both can also
be used for hardening or tempering.
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Norman Noble, Inc. provides shape setting of nitinol for either superelastic
or shape-memory nitinol. Custom shapes of wire, ribbon, strip, sheet,
tubing or bar nitinol are achieved with custom fixtures and very specific
heat treat times and temperatures.
Our shape setting of nitinol is an important and unique capability for
any nitinol product manufacturing, especially medical device contract
manufacturing. With this shape memory service we complete the production
chain of nitinol products from micromachining through cleanroom packaging.
With all functions under one roof, we can provide unequalled ISO certified
quality control on projects from start to finish.
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The
Optical comparators are among the inspection equipment that can
accurately measure geometry generated by the shape-setting process.
A tensile tester is used to run tensile studies on shape-set components,
and is equipped with dual circulating baths, capable of simulating body
temperatures, as well as ambient room temperatures. With specialized software
Norman Noble, Inc. can create test methods to customer specifications and
most engineering standards.
Norman Noble
contract manufacturing customers rely on our expertise, capabilities
and professionalism. Confidentiality is assured on all projects.
Our engineers and technicians add incomparable knowledge and insight
to the medical device manufacturing process. |
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One
of the most important challenges in the shape setting
process is determining the proper heat treatment parameters
to achieve the shape and properties of the part. Nitinol
shape |
setting requires
thermal manipulation of the nickel-titanium from martensite to
austenite. The process may require a specific austenite start
temperature (As Temperature) and
finish temperature (Af
Temperature); or a specific martensite start temperature (Ms
Temperature) or finish temperature (Mf Temperature).
The parameters for this phase transformation may need to be determined
experimentally for each component. Norman Noble’s expert technicians
perform all research and development tasks prior to production to insure
that all shape and physical requirements are met.
To set shape, machined nitinol is constrained on a mandrel, or custom
fixture. This mandrel can be made by Norman Noble or provided by the
customer. Once the nitinol is fixed on the mandrel, its shape is set
with a specific heat treat. Either Norman Noble or the customer can specify
the type of heat treatment to be used: fluidized bed, using alumina media;
convection air furnace; or salt bath.
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testing equipment like the DSC (Differential Scanning
Calorimeter) operates with a refrigerated cooling system
utilizing compressed nitrogen to control the atmosphere.
Samples are hermetically sealed in test pans, and are
placed in the DSC where measured heat flow determines
the temperature profiles, as well as the active Af temperature
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Nickel titanium
shape memory micromachined products can be quoted by submitting
CAD drawings or prints to sales@normannoble.net or
visit our RFQ page. |
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Norman
Noble, Inc. specializes in
the precision micro machining of high-tech parts and components.
Our expertise with exotic, hard-to-machine metals, such as
NiTi (nickel titanium or nitinol) is unmatched in the industry.
The machining of nitinol presents specific challenges for contract manufacturing.
However, the combination of our experience and advanced machining processes
makes Norman Noble, Inc. the best source for micro precision machining
of nitinol products. In fact, Norman Noble machines nitinol products for
some of the most prestigious names in medical device manufacturing.
Processes
We machine nitinol
products with the most advanced processes, including laser cutting,
Wire and RAM type EDM, Swiss machining, milling, turning, grinding
and other types of ultra-precision CNC and conventional machining.
Considering the uses for nitinol, especially in medical applications,
this micro-machining accuracy is essential.
- Laser
machining – We
operate the largest laser machining facility
in the world and offer: laser cutting, laser
drilling, laser etching, laser marking, laser
welding, laser prototyping, and a full Laser
R&D Department.
- Wire
EDM – We are known as “the
house of EDM” because of our expertise
with all types of EDM machining: Wire EDM and
plunge edm.
- Swiss
machining – Our capabilities
with swiss automatics include a variety of
machine types with specific functions, including
Citizen Swiss, Deco 2000 and Escomatic machines.
- CNC
machining – Our comprehensive
contract manufacturing operation also includes
CNC lathe, high-speed cnc milling, water jet
cutting services.
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With
this range of capabilities, the machining of nitinol wire
or nitinol sheet for any application produces parts and components
of exceptional precision and quality.
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Capabilities
The accuracy of the micro precision machining
of nitinol is crucial in the manufacture of NiTi products.
Laser cutting quality significantly affects the subsequent
production stages: nitinol shape setting and electropolishing.
Because our laser cutting quality is so high – with exceptional
hold on tolerances and dimensions – the quality of the finished
product is unmatched.
The engineers and technicians at Norman Noble, Inc. are unequalled in
their expertise with micro precision machining. Their understanding of
processes and product requirements makes our contract manufacturing capabilities
second to none. A full-time Laser R&D Department explores laser micromachining
and development options for each project. It is what gives us precision
laser machining capabilities beyond those available anywhere else.
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Shape
setting is one element of the complete nitinol product manufacturing
package at Norman Noble, Inc. It is an important
function in the manufacturing process, but one that is not
widely available.
We are one of the few companies that offer Nitinol shape setting. But,
we are the only contract manufacturer to provide all elements
of nitinol manufacturing: micro machining Nitinol, shaping Nitinol and
electropolishing Nitinol. Besides
component geometry, we also have the capability of confirming the physical,
and mechanical properties of the finished part, by means of DSC (differential
scanning calorimeter), and temperature controlled tensile testing.
What is Shape Setting?
Nitinol shape setting is the process by which
the final, specified shape of the metal is configured and programmed.
This requires specific thermal physics for each device depending
on the end use and end-use environment. Shape setting must also
take into account the type of nitinol being used, which may require
different processing temperatures and exhibit different characteristics. “Superelastic” and “shape
memory” types of nitinol are generally available in Nitinol
wire, ribbon, strip, Nitinol sheet, tubing or bar form.
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The Shape Setting Process
One of the most important challenges in the shape
setting process is determining the proper heat treatment parameters
to achieve the shape and properties of the part. Nitinol shape
setting requires thermal manipulation of the nickel-titanium from
martensite to austenite. The process may require a specific austenite
start temperature (As Temperature) and finish temperature (Af Temperature);
or a specific martensite start temperature (Ms Temperature) and
finish temperature (Mf Temperature).
The parameters for this phase transformation may need to be determined
experimentally for each part. Norman Noble’s expert technicians perform
all research and development tasks prior to production to insure that all
shape and use requirements are met.
To set shape, machined nitinol, wire, ribbon, or tubing is constrained
on a mandrel, or custom fixture. This mandrel can be made by Norman Noble
or provided by the customer. Once the nitinol is fixed on the mandrel,
its shape is set with a specific heat treat. Rapid quenching is then used
to finalize the process.
Norman
Noble has the ability to use several types of heat treating equipment
including: fluidized beds, convection air furnace; or salt bath
furnace.
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Electropolishing
of Nitinol
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At
the microscopic level, machined, or drawn nitinol (nickel-titanium)
tends to exhibit poor surface quality. Common problems facing
the micro precision machining of nitinol include: residual machining
artifacts, scratches, heat affected zone, as well as gaps between
the grains and sharp edges. These inherent imperfections may
reduce service life and affect performance of devices, which
can be especially critical for medical device manufacturing or
other high-tech applications.
Norman Noble, Inc. has spent years developing
and perfecting a proprietary process for electropolishing
nitinol. We are one of only a handful of contract manufacturing
companies to provide this essential service. Our nitinol
electropolishing is the most technologically advanced process
available today.
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Applications
Today, many new nickel-titanium products are
medical device contract manufacturing products. Medical device
manufacturing relies on ultra-precision components for the
breakthrough treatments and therapies only these nitinol products
can deliver.
After micro precision machining and shape setting of nitinol is complete,
a very high percentage of nitinol parts require electropolishing. This
phase in production eliminates imperfections and provides enhanced aesthetics.
However, the ability to electropolish nitinol is a relatively rare capability.
Developing this extraordinary process illustrates our commitment to customers
and our preeminence in the medical device contract manufacturing field.
With this critical component in our single-source contract manufacturing
of nitinol products, Norman Noble completes the production chain from start
to finish.
Features
- Most
technologically advanced process for electropolishing
NiTi
- Exceptional
repeatability and predictability
- Removes
dross, machining artifacts, and heat affected zones (HAZ)
that result from thermo-cutting processes (e.g., laser,
and EDM machining)
- Eliminates
crevices between grains
- Smoothes
sharp edges in critical areas
- Provides
lustrous finish on NiTi
- Prolongs
service life and improves performance of NiTi parts
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