Lean Manufacturing Processes

Merit Medical has established a global presence with manufacturing facilities throughout the world. The Merit Medical facility in Tijuana, Mexico is currently one of our main facilities that cuts, assembles, tests, and packages medical tubing kits for physicians, clinics, and hospitals worldwide. When supplied with rolls of flexible polyurethane, clear PVC, or silicone tubing, the facility can cut and coil the tubing into specific lengths for assembly. A skilled team of production and assembly technicians skillfully bond component parts to the tubing, test for standard adherence, and package for delivery

Over-Molding Technique

Merit Mexico uses a variety of bonding processes for various tubing materials. The facility has the ability to overmold connectors onto braided high pressure tubing that has been tested and rated for pressures ranging up to 1200psi. The over-molded parts create a permanent bond between the tubing line and the molded part which significantly reduces any chance for leakage.

Radio Frequency Bonding

Another unique bonding process at Merit Tijuana is bonding tubing to nylon materials through Radio Frequency.

Radio Frequency bonding is the process of bonding together materials through the use of electromagnetic energy. The movement of these molecules releases energy in the form of heat. When enough energy is applied, the molecules begin to melt and bond to one another. This bonding process is normally used to bond disposable waste bags.

UV Bonding

UV glue curing is a superior bonding method, although it is really a polymer, rather than a glue. This polymer is often in a silicon glue form, an epoxy, a polyurethane, or other polymers that will dry clear only when exposed to UV light. Whatever the polymer used, the glue will not harden until exposed to UV light. With UV polymer or glue curing, the bonding area is targeted, drying instantly only in the area meant to be bonded.

Solvent Bonding

Solvent bonding for the assembly of medical parts is an effective method of creating permanent connections. This method produces clean looking bonds with sufficient strength.

Because of its 30-plus years of experience, Merit Medical has mastered the use of UV curing and solvent bonding by understanding product design, material compatibilities, assembly methods, and through performance testing.

Leak Testing

During line assembly, the product is tested to ensure it meets the customer’s quality standards and Merit’s established processes for quality assurance. Two types of testing are used at Merit Tijuana: an automated leak test, and an automated pull test.

Leak testing is when a medical device is pressurized, isolated from the pressure source, and monitored to see if the pressure decreases.

Pull Testing

Pull testing is measuring the force required to disassemble the tubing from the joint. The force must be sufficiently high enough to avoid failure and ensure an hermetic seal in the joint.

As the need for medical grade tubing and custom tubing sets grows, Merit Medical Tijuana is in prime position to achieve the market’s demand by delivering the highest grade tubing, quality testing, and on-time deliveries.