Here is the article:Precision grinding technology is...

Here is the article:

Precision grinding technology is revolutionary


Thursday, June 01, 2006

THE original concept for Eastland Medical Systems' unique needle grinding technology came from the company's requirement to put a precise hole in the side of a hypodermic needle.



Precision Angular Presentation Technology (PAP) is incorporated with a CNC lathe and can be readily adapted to fit many of the platforms currently available. PAP comprises two key components, the actuator mechanism and the product jigs.

Eastland has protected the intellectual property and now holds seven patents in relation to the PAP Technology. All prior art claims of these patents have progressed through National Phase without objection. In particular the invention has been claimed as novel, has an inventive step and has industrial applicability.

Whilst much of the technology remains confidential, PAP has proven its capabilities in the specialised needle market and with some further limited development will reduce the cost of production for a wide range of products when compared to current production methods

The company said that it quickly became apparent that its revolutionary technology also has significant applications across many different industrial sectors, thus leading Eastland to divide the technology into two projects – one "Medical" and the other "Industrial".

For example, industrial applications include the motor vehicle and precision engineering industries for the manufacture of component parts presently manufactured singularly, which by adopting PAP technology can then be produced in multiples. This significantly increases capacity and reduces production time and costs.

Eastland has validated and demonstrated the technology and the needle production jigs have been proven. Multi-head component jigs are presently being developed for expert evaluation. In order to ensure the technology is commercialised in the most efficient manner, Eastland proposes to license the technology to a joint venture for the PAP Industrial Project. The expectation is that this joint venture would then establish the Brandenburg Research and Development Facility in Germany to progress the project.

The application of this technology in manufacturing a range of medical products results in lower cost of production with higher cycle times and output. For example, the advantage of PAP in the manufacture of surgical screws is impressive. The present system produces one screw in single cycle mode; but by incorporating PAP technology it is feasible to produce 10-14 units at a time, reducing production times and cost. Similar advantages apply in the manufacture of dental drills.

Both sections of the PAP Technology incorporate a rotary method of production at low-cycle times and incorporate the ability to work both ends of the product in one cycle. During the cycle needles may be sharpened, ground or worked to specification on both ends without the need to change position in the jig.

In the production of components the system incorporates a multi-head jig with 10-20 individual jigs that work independently of the main jig. This allows multiples of products to be worked in a cycle instead of singularly. Each chuck may be rotated in either direction while the parent chuck is in motion, giving significant advantages and increased volumes again reducing production cost and increasing output.

Eastland said that in full production PAP Technology would deliver important bottom-line benefits across many different applications and throughout a broad spectrum of industry.