Machine sales have soared at Technical Innovations
following the introduction of the Smart Driller and
Smart Puncher CL2, the new generation CL
hole-making machine.
The first CL2 was delivered
in November 2006
and the pace of sales has not
let up since then.
The CL2 has been spotlighted
at
the MD&M trade
shows over the past year.
The reason for the high level of demand is two-fold.
Firstly, TI withheld sales of the predecessor CL models
during the later half of the development period of the CL2
to allow customers the opportunity to postpone purchases
until the CL2 was available, and secondly, the CL2 has
broader capabilities than its predecessor.
Advantageous features of the CL2 include the following
items, among others.
- A proprietary drilling and punching head designed
by TI. - An interchangeable drilling and punching head
utilizing the same control box. - The drilling motor is a closed, brushless design
and controlled environment compliant. - The CL2 achieves shorter cycle times due to
improved speed, motor revolution, accuracy and
controlling options. - Programming and pattern recall has been expanded and simplified.
Machine orders for the CL2 have outpaced the prior 12 month period by more than 50 percent.
Technical Innovations Broadens Cutter Applications
Technical Innovations remains focused on the medical device industry as the applications and uses of its cutters expand. In the early days, TI manufactured hollow-core drills and punches used by the medical device industry to make precise holes in medical tubing. Catheter punches remain TI’s largest product segment; however, tissue and suture cutting applications have increased and are the fastest growing segment for TI.
Tissue cutter applications range from aortic by-pass procedures to skin and tissue harvesting to hair transplant devices. TI cutters have been used in specialty devices for hysterectomies, breast biopsies and skin grafts, among others. TI cutting tools have also been developed to cut sutures in minimally invasive surgical procedures. TI is a specialist in medical cutter applications where quality, repeatability and precision are extremely important.
Scott Thompson was promoted to Vice President - Sales and Business Development on July 31, 2007. Scott and his sales team are responsible for world-wide sales of machines, catheter drills and punches, tissue and suture cutters and contract services for Technical Innovations. Scott joined TI in March 2004 as Manager of Sales. In addition to his sales responsibilities, Scott provides valuable input, knowledge and skills in process management, lean management and information management and systems due to his education, training and prior business experience. Sales have increased at an annual average rate of 20 percent during the three years that Scott has been responsible for sales at TI. One of Scott's initial objectives was to increase TI's presence in the surgical device industry by developing tissue cutter applications for TI cutting tools. Sales of tissue and suture cutters are the fastest growing business segments at TI.
