Heating Steel Cannulas for a Bonding Application

A medical customer came to THE LAB at Ambrell needing to heat steel cannulas for a bonding application. THE LAB determined that an Ambrell EASYHEAT^TM 4.2 kW, 150-400 kHz solid state induction heating power supply would work well for this bonding application along with a workhead and single-turn channel coil.

Initial tests were conducted to determine whether the smallest of the cannulas would couple to the frequency of the EASYHEAT power supply. It was observed that they coupled to the induction field well and heated easily. For each size cannula, the power delivered to the part was optimized to create a bond between the cannula and its bushing, without discoloring the steel of the cannula or causing the bushing to become opaque. Each size was successfully bonded at a rate of ten parts per 3.0 second heat cycle, which met the customer's requirements.

Induction heating offers several benefits when compared to other heating options for this medical bonding application. First, it delivers consistent, repeatable heat that forms a reliable bond. This is particularly critical for medical applications like this one. It also leads to increased throughput and a more even distribution of heat. Finally, induction offers hands-free heating that isn't dependent on operator skill like other heating methods. 

Download our Medical Applications Brochure to see other medical applications using induction heating.  And, if you have an application that might benefit from testing, contact THE LAB to take advantage of complimentary induction heating application testing from our knowledgeable applications team. We now have Virtual Lab Service, so you can observe testing live from your office. And, whether you choose Virtual Lab Service or not, we'll always send you a video and lab report after testing.