Tube Cutter Case Study

Full view of ProCut AF tube cutting machine

Julie Runez

July 20, 2021

Tube Cutter Case Overview

MilliporeSigma needed a way to accurately and consistently cut multiple diameters of medical grade tubing to precise lengths. MilliporeSigma had tried commercial cutters and found they did not yield consistent performance. Cutting by hand was inefficient and physically difficult.

Challenges

Previous machines:

  • inaccurate cuts
  • jamming
  • blade breakage
  • required extensive use of alcohol

Hand cutting:

  • labor intensive
  • ergonomic injuries

Results

Lehnen Industrial designed and built a machine that is able to cut tubing from 6mm to 1.5 inch diameter accurately and consistently to a programmable length. The tube cutter is fully automated and does not require the use of any lubricant in the process.

The machine has demonstrated the ability to complete upwards of 10,000 cuts without replacing the blade. 

** Lehnen Industrial Services, Inc. has patents pending on this technology.**

 

Company Spotlight

Source: emdmillipore.com

Millipore Sigma: A Leader in Life Science

Our purpose is to solve the toughest problems in life science by collaborating with the global scientific community – and through that, we aim to accelerate access to better health for people everywhere.

We provide scientists and engineers with best-in-class lab materials, technologies and services. With the 2015 combination of EMD Millipore and Sigma-Aldrich, we now have a broad portfolio of 300,000 products, an expanded global footprint and an industry-leading eCommerce platform – SigmaAldrich.com.

We are dedicated to making research and biotech production simpler, faster and safer.

“The operators love [the tube cutters] because unlike our previous off the shelf cutters, these cut our entire line. Also, [the tube cutters] save on their hands and prevent ergonomic injuries.”

“Customer support, as always, is best in business.”

James Mathieu

Senior Controls Engineer, MilliporeSigma