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Buyers and engineers who are familiar with the RFQ process prioritize cost and lead time when selecting a components manufacturer for their medical device project. While these are important considerations, there are other capabilities you should look for in a manufacturer. These considerations can have a direct effect on project cost and timeline.
Here are four less common but equally important considerations to think about when choosing a spring manufacturer for your medical device.
ISO 13485 certification
All industries require safety and quality control, but these are especially paramount in medical device manufacturing. Medical ISO certification is a rigorous process that mandates ongoing quality improvements. An ISO 13485 certification demonstrates a manufacturer’s commitment to maintaining standards for finished medical devices and critical components within medical devices. This certification accounts for regulatory requirements and changes specific to medical device manufacturing.
Ideally, your manufacturing partner should have an ISO certification(s), specifically the ISO 13485 certification. John Evans’ Sons is proud to be ISO 13485 certified.
Custom Manufacturing
Due to the precision and innovation required for medical devices, you’ll likely need a unique, complex assembly rather than one single spring product. It’s beneficial to partner with a spring manufacturer who can develop a custom spring assembly for you.
Some organizations may only be able to provide stock springs, in which case, you’ll be outsourcing multiple products from multiple manufacturers. You’ll also likely run into the potential of dimensional and production difficulties that come from sourcing components from various manufacturers.
A manufacturer such as John Evans’ Sons can most often handle the entire assembly from start to finish within one facility. This will reduce your overall device project cost and maintain quality control.
Design engineering department
The need for a custom spring assembly often arises during the design and engineering phase. If your manufacturer has a design engineering team in-house, it’s much easier to account for design changes.
Our design engineers and manufacturers work closely together to minimize prototype revisions. The engineers discuss design requirements, counterbalancing challenges, and other considerations with our medical device clients. They’re also aware of how design changes could can affect manufacturing costs. This means no surprises when those important design changes need to be made.
In-house tooling facilities
John Evans’ Sons has an in-house tool and die department, which means we can make products for custom assemblies quickly. We’re able to design and build tools to manufacture components often required for custom spring assemblies.
Additionally, in-house tooling makes it easier to make design adjustments, which is common in medical device manufacturing. Because we don’t have to outsource tooling, this can help to reduce project time and cost, while improving quality control.
There are many factors to consider when selecting a spring manufacturer for your medical device. Cost and lead time, while important, aren’t the only things you should think about. Look for capabilities like tooling, custom assembly manufacturing, and design engineering. Don’t underestimate certifications either. A certified spring manufacturer also demonstrates their commitment to quality medical manufacturing standards. Seek a manufacturer that can demonstrate their knowledge and expertise.
Make John Evans’ Sons your spring manufacturing partner. Our Engineering and Sales teams are here to help. Contact our experts to learn more about our manufacturing capabilities in the medical device sector.
The medical industry requires products that perform with accuracy and precision. John Evans’ Sons is proud to provide those products to the medical manufacturing community. We’re excited to attend MD&M West, where we will be showcasing constant force springs, spiral torsion springs, and spring reels.
Springs are more economical and precise than motors, making them a preferred component for reducing medical device size. Learn more about these products and how they can improve your application’s performance.
Constant Force Springs
When looking for a spring that has a smooth range of motion and a constant load when extended or retracted, constant force springs are ideal. These springs don’t have any inertia to overcome when considering the starting force. Constant force springs are often used in these medical applications:
- Dental x-ray equipment
- Medical equipment drawer mechanisms
- Computer monitors for fixed or mobile applications
- Surgical staplers and other devices
Spring Powered Reels
Spring reels mount quickly and easily and come in a range of forces, cable lengths, and travel. We offer spring reels in plastic or metal. Spring reels can be ideal for applications that require counterbalancing or retrieving and returning; anything that requires a long deflection. Spring powered reels are frequently seen in moving mechanisms in the operating room.
Spiral Torsion Springs
These springs are known for rotation in two directions, as well as a return to center capability. Used in pairs at a right angle, a wide range of motion is achieved in two-axis configuration while still preserving the “return to center” feature. These compact springs easily mount in many designs, and develop high torque with little rotation. Spiral torsion springs are used in applications that require less than 360-degree rotation, like dental x-ray head units.
Because of the unique needs of many medical devices, it’s not uncommon to create an assembly that combines more than one spring or reel type. We can help design a custom assembly that meets your needs.
Ready to discuss equipment challenges and design requirements with our engineering team? Contact us to see how we can help with your application! You can also visit Booth #1893 at MD&M West to see these spring products. We look forward to meeting you!
Lansdale, Pennsylvania March 22, 2016 / John Evans’ Sons (JES), a manufacturer of industrial springs and mechanical assemblies, has been awarded the AS9100C Certification. AS9100c is the widely adopted and standardized quality management system for the aerospace industry and the certification includes the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 plus additional requirements for the aviation, space, and defense industries.
For decades, JES has supplied these industries with constant force springs, power springs, helical shock and vibration isolators, torsion bar springs, spiral torsion springs, helical springs, and metal stampings. JES manufactured springs can be found in outer space on the Mars Rover Curiosity and in ocean depths on U.S. Navy Submarines. The company’s springs separate the first stage booster on sea-launched cruise missiles and counter-balance heavy armored hatch covers on Bradley Fighting Vehicles and M1A1 Abrams Tanks.
“Our customers strive for the highest levels of quality, safety, and reliability for their mission-critical equipment. The AS9100C Certification is one way we as a supplier can help them achieve this goal. Our customers will now have a better understanding of JES, the quality involved with the parts we manufacture, and our strategic supply chain,” according to Co-President, Sam Davey.
JES other certifications include:
- ISO 9001:2008
- ISO 13485:2003
JES is ITAR registered and is a member of the National Business Aviation Association.
For more information about JES and their products, please contact Sales at 215-368-7700 or sales@springcompany.com. *** America’s Spring Company *** www.springcompany.com ***
NBAA’s 2014 Convention Wraps Up as a Highly Successful Show
John Evans’ Sons celebrated a very productive and successful showing at the National Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition (NBAA 2014) in Orlando, October 21_ 23 (booth #3193). Highlights from Dan Hubbard’s NBAA press release dated 10/23/14 included:
Orlando, FL, Oct. 23, 2014 – The National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) 2014 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2014) concluded today in Orlando, FL, and the event organizers report that, by all indications, the show was a success for attendees and exhibitors alike.
“This year’s show was an enormous success, filled with announcements and product introductions,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “The exhibit floor and aircraft displays had lots of activity and excitement. The education sessions were informative and well attended. The event once again showcased the industry’s size, diversity and significance. Perhaps most important, the show provided many reminders that ours is an industry characterized by passion and professionalism.”
NBAA2014, which took place from Oct. 21 to 23, featured about 1,100 exhibitors in the Orange County Convention Center. Additionally, more than 100 aircraft were displayed in several locations – at a sold-out static display at Orlando Executive Airport, at an indoor display inside the convention center and at various exhibitor booths on the show floor. More than 26,000 people attended the show, which included representatives from 49 U.S. states and 95 countries around the world.
“Clearly, in a host of ways, NBAA’s 2014 convention is one for the record books,” Bolen said. “We are thrilled by the enthusiasm that marked each of the show’s three days, and we are already making plans for next year’s convention in Las Vegas, NV, from Nov. 17 to 19, 2015.”
John Evans’ Sons exhibited various constant force springs, spiral torsion springs, wire-forms and spring powered reels used by the aviation and aerospace industry.
New members of the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA)
John Evans’ Sons has joined the NBAA members. Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful.
The Association represents more than 9,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. John Evans’s Sons is a leading supplier of critical service spring products, wire forms and spring-powered reels for the aviation industry.
John Evans’ Sons an industry leader in the manufacture of spring products, has been granted ISO 13485:2003 certification for the manufacture of standard and custom spring products, wire forms, and spring reel products for the medical device industry.
The ISO 13485:2003 certification is the established quality standard for manufacturers of finished medical devices and/or critical components within a medical device platform. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world’s largest developer and publisher of international standards for the implementation of quality management systems and various other technical and operational procedures.
“Being recognized for our rigorous approach to developing and manufacturing our products gives John Evans’ Sons customers a further reason to trust their critical medical designs to us,” states Bob Catlett Sales Manager at John Evans’ Sons.
“Our decision to become ISO 13485 certified was fueled by our long-established history for providing our customers with the best spring products in the medical device industry,” states Sam Davey Vice President of sales at John Evans’ Sons. “Our certification to this standard further confirms to the international community that our products are manufactured with the highest level of traceability and quality control.”
ISO 13485:2003 Certification
View our current ISO 13485:2003 certificate.
ISO Re-Certification 9001:2008
John Evans’ Sons LLC, a manufacturer of springs and mechanical assemblies, received an ISO 9001:2000 registration certificate on May 28, 2003, after close examination by third-party auditors. Re-certification to the ISO 9001:2008 standards was awarded on May 27, 2009.
The International Organization for Standardization first developed the ISO 9001 quality management standard in 1987. The standard states requirements for what an organization must do to manage processes influencing quality. The latest version of the ISO quality standard emphasizes customer satisfaction and the involvement of top management in all aspects of the quality system.
ISO certification will help the Company provide assurances to customers and prospects that quality is taken seriously. The certification will also help the company develop international business where ISO 9001 certification is often required. According to Frank L. Davey, Vice President, “Our ISO 9001 certification signifies our commitment to continuous improvement in all that we do. Only through the rigorous pursuit of improvement will we be able to increase customer satisfaction.” Davey also said, “This achievement required the participation of every employee at the Lansdale, PA facility. We are proud of their dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction.”
John Evans’ Sons LLC is America’s oldest springmaker having operated continuously since 1850. The Company manufactures springs, wire forms, mechanical assemblies and stampings. Industries served include aerospace, defense, medical equipment, home building and in-store displays.
View our current ISO 9001:2008 certificate.
