Needle Tip Grinding Device for Precision Hole Creation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for creating holes, slots, or depressions in needle tips are inefficient, leading to issues like ragged edges, misalignment, and high production costs due to manual skill requirements and sequential processing steps, which are exacerbated by the precision needed for small-diameter medical needles.
Innovation Solution
A grinder device with a grinding wheel assembly and holding means that securely positions needle tubes in parallel alignment, allowing for precise and automated creation of holes, slots, or depressions using a grinding wheel with abrasive material, reducing manual intervention and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional drilling machines are used to create holes in needle tips, then the hole creation process can be completed, but ragged edges and exit burrs are created which compromise structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional rotating drill bit mechanical system with an abrasive jet system that propels abrasive particles at high velocity against the needle tip. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that causes ragged edges and exit burrs, producing clean, precise holes without structural damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the hole creation process by using a non-contact abrasive jet method instead of mechanical drilling. The high-velocity abrasive particles erode the material gradually, creating smooth holes without the compressive forces and rotational mechanics that generate burrs and ragged edges in conventional drilling.
2Ease of manufacture
If sequential processing steps with multiple machines are used, then various operations can be performed on the needle, but production time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sequential processing operations into a single integrated abrasive jet system. The same apparatus that creates holes can also create slots, depressions, and perform other modifications on the needle tip, eliminating the need to transfer the needle between multiple machines and significantly reducing production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The abrasive jet system is designed to perform multiple functions: creating holes, slots, depressions, and other tip modifications in a single setup. This multi-functional capability replaces several specialized machines, maintaining manufacturing flexibility while dramatically improving productivity through single-step processing.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional drilling is used on small-diameter needles, then holes can be created, but alignment precision becomes difficult to maintain and handling difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical drilling with a non-contact abrasive jet system, eliminating the need for precise mechanical alignment of drill bits with small-diameter needle tips. The jet system can be precisely positioned and directed at the needle tip without the complexity of mechanical drill alignment, greatly simplifying handling and improving precision for small-diameter needles.
4Manufacturing precision
If high manual skill is required for drilling operations, then some precision can be achieved, but production costs increase and consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The abrasive jet system is designed to perform the hole creation operation with minimal human intervention. The system automatically propels abrasive particles at controlled velocities and maintains consistent processing parameters, eliminating the need for highly skilled manual drilling operations while ensuring consistent, high-precision results across all production units.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces production time and costs by enabling high-speed, cost-effective, and precise creation of holes, slots, or depressions in needle tips, enhancing efficiency and reducing manpower requirements while ensuring uniform quality.
Implementation Method 1
a grinding wheel with abrasive material, reducing manual intervention and improving accuracy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4(a)~4(b)
AI summary
A method and a grinder device for making a hole, slot and/or depression in a needle proximal to its tip, said grinder device comprising a strip securing in parallel alignment plurality of catheter needle tubes exposing the tips of the needles; holding means assembly for the said strip comprising at least two holding plates for clamping therebetween the said strip; a grinder wheel assembly having a grinding wheel with grinding surface positioned adjacent said holding means assembly; a movable table operably mounted on the grinder device configured to move the said holding means assembly therealong for changing the position of the needle tubes supported in the said strip by said holding means assembly.