Automatic Concentricity Adjustment System for Medical Tubing

Stringent product quality and process capability requirements confront producers of precision medical tubing used in medical device applications. This includes final tubing physical properties, such as burst strength, elongation, and lubricity. Medical tubing must also be free from surface quality imperfections such as gels, knit lines, and melt fracture (rough surface finish). While most of these requirements can be controlled with proper process parameters, tooling design, and clean product contact surface finishes; they cannot necessarily be controlled in a closed-loop fashion. The final tubing dimensions, such as outside diameter, wall thickness, and concentricity must also comply with the specification of the tube.