MD&M West 2024, the annual B2B medical device show that brings together a veritable list of MedTech companies, kicks off this week (Feb. 6-8) in Anaheim, Calif. Machine Design will have boots on the ground, connecting face-to-face with delegates and suppliers while brushing up on the major trends and products.
MD&M West offers a holistic experience, as it is co-located with four other show brands—ATX West (automation), WestPack (packaging), D&M West (design) and Plastec West (plastics manufacturing)—under the umbrella of IME West 2024. More than 1,600 exhibitors and 14,366 attendees are registered for this year’s show. Attendees get together to foster industry connections, meet-ups with partner suppliers and a comprehensive conference agenda.
READ MORE: MD&M West 2024: Brace for a Medical Devices Value Chain Overhaul
Plan to Attend Dynamic Keynote Sessions
Manufacturing Beyond Gravity: Unlocking the Potential of Space for Innovation on Earth. This stellar panel discussion will be moderated by Jana Stoudemire, director, In-Space Manufacturing, Axiom Space. Stoudemire brings to the stage her expertise in helping develop new market sectors in the commercial space economy for in-space manufacturing of biomedical and advanced material applications on the world’s first commercial space station. Panelists will discuss their pioneer work toward the in-space production of biomedical and advanced material products.
Location: Level 3 Ballroom
Date: Tues., Feb. 6, 9-10 a.m.
Transforming the Future of Patient Care with Human Machine Interfaces (HMI). Jennifer Samproni, chief technology officer of Flex, a health solutions business, is an expert on mega trends in the healthcare industry. Her presentation will bring audiences up to speed on the significance of human machine interfaces (HMI) in future of medical device innovation. Given the ubiquity of consumer devices and applications in managing day-to-day tasks, Samproni will focus on the ways that MedTech companies can approach product design to remain competitive. As a bonus: This session will include a fireside chat with Adam Scraba, director of product marketing, NVIDIA, on the intersectionality of HMI, AI and machine learning.
Location: Level 3 Ballroom
Wed., Feb. 7, 9-10 a.m.
Fill your calendar with more educational sessions on the latest insights, trends and challenges in MedTech advancements. Click here to view the agenda.
What’s on Display at IME West 2024?
Take a tour of the dynamic show floor, which offers cutting-edge and tried-and-true technologies that shape medical devices alongside a broad scope of innovative industrial products.
Harmonized, Advanced Manufacturing Hardware, Software and Engineering
If you’re on the prowl for best-in-class drive and control technologies that support complete factory automation, check out the Flexible Transport System (FTS) from Bosch Rexroth (Booth 4201, ATX West). Featuring TS2 conveyors, ML3 synchronous linear motors with an iron core and IndraControl YM, the FTS conveyor display is integrated with a Kassow seven-axes cobot. Bosch Rexroth’s press release noted that the working transport system demonstrates a magnetically propelled pallet transport system, featuring high transfer speeds and precise pallet positioning that allows for independent and synchronized pallet movement, as well as integration into a traditional conveyor system. All are powered by ctrlX AUTOMATION.
Advanced Motion Plastic Components
igus is a global engineered motion plastics components manufacturer. Members of the igus team will be available to demonstrate products that optimize manufacturing operations through lower costs, easier installation and improved performance. For an interactive experience, ask to see a demo of igusGO, an AI-powered mobile app that enables the user to identify opportunities to improve their products with igus solutions. (No expertise necessary!) Find out what’s on tap in low-cost automation; igus offers cobots, robots and modular automation components starting under $3,000. Inquire about the company’s fast-turnaround, custom 3D printing and injection molding services. And finally, check out the brand of chainflex cables with unique flexible cable performance characteristics. (Booth 3609, D&M West)
Push-in Technology Terminal Blocks with Flexible Mounting
Altech is a fixture in the design & manufacturing hall (Booth 3322, D&M West). The supplier of components and devices used in industrial control and instrumentation present a line of high-performance, feed-through DIN Rail Terminal blocks. The CP-Series is mechanically designed with push-in technology for time-saving, compact and safe wiring solutions. The 3.5mm terminal is touted as the thinnest in the industry.
New Lineup of Sterilizable Gearheads
maxon is building on its expertise in mechatronics drive systems with a lineup of 16 mm and 22 mm high-power sterilizable planetary gearheads. GPX HP STES gearheads are equipped with a seal system. The gearheads can transmit higher torques than the sterilizable gearheads currently available, noted the company. They are a perfect complement to all high-torque and sterilizable ECX motors and can be considered for all areas of surgical power tools and other surgical applications. (Booth 2836, MD&M West)
Robust Design of Rotary Encoders Enable Safe Operation
Known for precision measurement and control equipment, Heidenhain (Booth 4119, ATX West) will bring into focus encoder solutions for robotic, medical and motor applications. Check out their KCI 120 Dplus rotary encoders. The company noted that due to their robust inductive scanning method, these encoders are particularly resistant to contamination and magnetic fields. Their rigid design tolerates high vibration loads of up to 400 m/s² on the stator and 600 m/s² on the rotor. The KCI 120 Dplus unites two rotary encoders in a single device, offering high reliability in a rugged and extremely compact design. With a low 20 mm profile, this series is great for tight installation spaces.
