Below you will find answers to commonly asked questions. If you have other questions that are not answered below, please feel free to email us at Sales@popperandsons.com What is OEM? Are all OEM products custom-made? What is the minimum quantity for OEM products? Does Popper offer prototype services? Does Popper have 510K for standard OEM products? What is a one-time eningeering charge? Can I get my tooling once a job is finished? I was told my design calls for special tubing. What is the minimum quantity I have to purchase? What method does Popper utilize to cut tubing? What is the tighest length tolerance you can hold? What is the shortest piece you can cut? What options do I have for internal ID finish? What is micro-polishing? Does Popper provide passivation services? Do you electropolish? Can I supply my own tubing for fabrication? My drawing was marked up with REF next to certain dimensions. What is that? I was quoted a project as 'best effort'. What does that mean? Does Popper provide Teflon coated of OD and ID? What is the smallest ID you can Teflon coat? What is the typical coating thickness for Teflon? What is PSX coating? What is the minimum bending radius for tubing? What is the OD range for flaring and maximum flare diameter? What is swaging/tube tip reducing and what are its limitations? What is the smallest hole size you make with EDM? What are 'included angles' and where are they utilized? Do you offer any needles with Aluminum hubs? What is AQL and what level does Popper use? What are standard length tolerances for blunt tubes or cannula? Are products manufactured by Popper considered Pyrogen-Free? Do you provide sterilization services? Do you provide needles with plastic hubs? What is the difference between grit and sand blasting? What is the smallest bend radius you can produce? What are A, B and C bevels? Is Popper ISO certified? Where does Popper manufacture? Does Popper allow factory audits? Does Popper have sales reps? Do you have manufacturing shutdown? Can OEM products be returned? What is your return policy? What are important elements to consider during my design which will impact how you make the part? How well can you control the ID of a swaged tube? What is the smallest ID that can be swaged? I noticed you can now provide electroless nickel plating. What standards are used for the coating? What is OEM? O.E.M is an acronym for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Popper's OEM services division specializes in small tubular fabrication for medical devices and laboratory automation for manufacturers in the medical and laboratory automation industries. Top Are all OEM products custom-made? No. Many of our standard products are used in OEM applications: Needles and Syringes in Epidural kits, capillary tubing in chromatography automation etc. Top What is the minimum quantity for OEM products? The minimum quantity is one. Depending upon your application and the set up time that is required, costs can vary significantly. Consult our OEM specialisits for further information. Top Does Popper offer prototype services? Yes. Popper has a prototype department which provides design-validation services and short delivery of prototype parts. We recommend that you consult with our engineers before finalizing any design to ensure the most cost-effective production. Top Does Popper have 510K for standard OEM products? If you elect to use one of our standard products for your OEM application, most of our products are pre-amendment devices and do not require a 510K. However, note that you may be required to obtain a 510K for your final device. Top What is a one-time engineering charge? This is a non-recurring charge which covers engineering development, programming and materials. Top Can I get my tooling once a job is finished? Our company policy states that all tooling remain the property of Popper & Sons. Top I was told my design calls for special tubing. What is the minimum quantity I have to purchase? Requirements for specially drawn custom tubes vary. You should expect to purchase a minimum of 100 feet. In some cases, this minimum may be 500 feet. Our OEM specialists will provide you with a detailed quotation Top What method does Popper utilize to cut tubing? The most common method is Electrochemical cutting. This method utilizes a process that 'melts' the tube to a desired length rather than abrasively cut it. The ECC method is precise and does not require secondary de-burring operations and thereby is also the most cost-effective way to produce cut-offs. Top What is the tighest length tolerance you can hold? From +/- 0.002" Top What is the shortest piece you can cut? Length from 0.020"/0.25mm and up Top What options do I have for internal ID finish? Internal ID finish is measured in RMS or Ra values. Standard hypodermic tubing are manufactured with an OD finish of 8rms-12rms. Typical ID finish for standard tubing is 32rms-64rms. Smoother ID surface finish can be delivered in ranges of 16rms-32rms and 8rms-16rms (commonly referred to as 'smooth bore'). A process called 'micro-polishing' can also improve rms results by up to 50%. Expect extended delivery for tubing with ID finish of 16rms or better. Top What is micro-polishing? Micro-polishing is a proprietary process that is designed to improve internal surface finish of hypodermic tubing by up to 50%. A smooth bore tube drawn with a 16rms finish can be improved to 8rms with micro-polishing. Top Does Popper provide passivation services? Yes. All finished fabricated components are cleaned utilizing Popper's advanced cleaning system which includes mild passivation. Passviation to other specifications (such as QQ-P-35C) can be performed upon request. Top Do you electro-polish? No. Electro-polishing can be performed upon request. Top Can I supply my own tubing for fabrication? Yes. Popper's main focus is fabricating small diameter tubular components. We will be happy to utilize your own tubing, especially if special tube sizes are required and your own stock can drastically reduce overall lead-time. Top My drawing was marked up with REF next to certain dimensions. What is that? REF denotes 'reference'. Typically when our engineers feel that certain called out dimensions are unachievable, or could be challenging, we would prefer to designate them as REF dimensions, i.e, allowing fluctuation of the final results. Top I was quoted a project on a 'best effort'. What does that mean? Best-effort quotations denote a project that may require trial-and-error to produce. It is unclear from the design whether it is feasible to produce the part. Popper is willing to experiment and find ways to manufacture it but it can only be done on a 'best effort basis', in other words, this is the best that can be produced given the design. Best-effort production is final and non-returnable for any reason. Top Does Popper provide Teflon coating of the OD and ID? Yes. Teflon coating to add lubricity and minimize carry-over is provided for both OD and ID of hypodermic tubes. See below for size restrictions. It is highly recommended that when you specify Teflon coating, you also indicate the primary reason(s) for requiring the coating and the type of chemistries you expect to encounter. Some harsh chemicals tend to 'strip' the Teflon and may require different solutions such as our PSX/ceramic-like coating. Top What is the smallest ID you can Teflon coat? 0.008" Top < What is the typical coating thickness for Teflon? 0.0005" approx. Top < What is PSX coating? PSX is a specially formulated coating technology to Popper specifications. The coating is applied using vaccum-deposition and thickness can be precisely controlled. PSX is offered in 3 varieites: PSX-H for hydrophobic applications, PSX-Ch for applications requiring ceramic-like barrier, and PSX-D for applications requiring the ultimate protection including DMSO. Top What is the minimum bending radius for tubing? Minimum bend radius is 2x tubing OD. The bend angle is 2 degree thru 180 degrees. Top < What is the OD range for flaring and maximum flare diameter? Typical tubing size for flaring fabrication is 6G (0.202") to 23G (0.025"). Maximum flare diameter is 1.4 x OD. Top What is swaging/tube tip reducing and what are its limitations? Tip reduction or swaging reduces the OD and ID over a predetermined length. The ID is kept constant over the tip's length. A mathematical formula is used to calculate the effect on OD, ID and Wall during swaging. Ideal range for tip reducing is approximately up to 1.5" of reduction length. Top What is the smallest hole size you make with EDM? Typical hole size starts at 0.010" and can be as small as 0.008" using conventional EDM technology. Smaller hole sizes can be achieved by laser hole drilling of up to 0.002"- 0.003". Top What are 'included angles' and where are they utilized? Included angles are measured during fabrication of tube tips to pencil point geometry. Typical angles range from 5 degrees to forty degrees. An included angle is the transition angle to the tip reduction. For our pencil point the typical included angle is 28 inclusive degrees. Top Do you offer any needles with Aluminum hubs? Yes. However, this hub should be used for short runs rather than high volume, disposable applications. Top What is AQL and what level does Popper use? AQL stands for Accepted Quality Level and tables for inspections were originated in a MIL-Std. For OEM applications, Popper uses ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2003 Level II, AQL 1.0 Top What are standard length tolerances for blunt tubes or cannula? up to 1": +/-.010", 1"-6": +/-.015", 6"-12":+/-.031", 12"+: +/-.062" Top Are products manufactured by Popper considered Pyrogen-Free? Popper's advanced cleaning system has been validated bi-annually to be pyrogen-free. However, it is highly recommended that for products intended for sterile use, individual certification be obtained from your sterilizer or cleaning vendor. Popper pyrogen-free claim is for reference only. Top Do you provide sterilization services? No. Popper services are focused on fabrication only. Top Do you provide needles with plastic hubs? No. Popper partners with molding partners when applications require specialty fabrication along with plastic/disposable hubs. Popper will then supply the metal components to one of its partners and deliver a final product to you, the customer. Top What is the difference between grit and sand blasting? They are the same. A grit is the size of the media used to achieve a surface finish (Ra). Top What is the smallest bend radius you can produce? For a 25G needle, 0.040". The bend radius is calculated as 2 x the OD. Top What are A, B and C bevels? These are designations for the types of 'sharpness' or grind angle used in the manufacturing of needles. Typically, an A-Bevel needle will have a 12 degree point. A B-Bevel, an 18 degree point and C-Bevel, a 30 degree point. In general, the smaller the angle, the sharper the needle point will be. Top Is Popper ISO certified? Yes. Both the NY office and RI manufacturing facility are certified to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 13485. Copies of certificates are available upon request. Top Where does Popper manufacture? Our manufacturing facility is located in Lincoln, RI. We employ 85 specialists in 28,000 square foot factory which is FDA registered and ISO 9001:2000 certified. Top Does Popper allow factory audits? We welcome all visits and audits of our facility. Please coordinate your trip through our NY office. Top Does Popper have sales reps? Yes. We have sales reps nationwide. Please contact our OEM specialist for the name of your local rep. Top Do you have manufacturing shutdown? Yes. During the summer we have one-week of a full shutdown. Top Can OEM products be returned? OEM and custom products can only be returned for quality issues. These complaints must be verified by our Quality Assurance department. Popper reserve the right to either repair defective parts or credit your account. Top What is your return policy? OEM/custom parts can only be returned for quality reasons. Once verified, we reserve the right to either repair the defect or credit your account. Top What are important elements to consider during my design which will impact how you make the part? The most important point to remember is to consult with our engineers prior to finalizing any design. We are happy to give you any feedback and share our experience while understanding that drawing revisions can be avoided. Before you specify material, call us. The type of material, availability, hardness requirements and tolerances are very important. Also, when you plan your design, don't forget that tight tolerances have a direct impact on manufacturability and price. Again, check with us first. Finally, avoid 'tolerance stack up', in other words, when it is all said and done, everything must be put together and all numbers must match. We are here to help and there is no charge for 'picking our brain'. Top How well can you control the ID of a swaged tube? The ID on a swaged tube can generally be held to +/- .001". A proper review of the drawing by engineering is required to properly ascertain the answer. Top What is the smallest ID that can be swaged? The smallest ID that can be swaged is 0.008"-0.010". A proper review of the drawing by engineering is required to properly ascertain the answer. Top What specification does Electroless Nickel plating conform to? Electroless Nickel Plating conforms to MIL-C-26074E Class I and AMS 2404D Class I. Top
What is OEM? Are all OEM products custom-made? What is the minimum quantity for OEM products? Does Popper offer prototype services? Does Popper have 510K for standard OEM products? What is a one-time eningeering charge? Can I get my tooling once a job is finished? I was told my design calls for special tubing. What is the minimum quantity I have to purchase? What method does Popper utilize to cut tubing? What is the tighest length tolerance you can hold? What is the shortest piece you can cut? What options do I have for internal ID finish? What is micro-polishing? Does Popper provide passivation services? Do you electropolish? Can I supply my own tubing for fabrication? My drawing was marked up with REF next to certain dimensions. What is that? I was quoted a project as 'best effort'. What does that mean? Does Popper provide Teflon coated of OD and ID? What is the smallest ID you can Teflon coat? What is the typical coating thickness for Teflon? What is PSX coating? What is the minimum bending radius for tubing? What is the OD range for flaring and maximum flare diameter? What is swaging/tube tip reducing and what are its limitations? What is the smallest hole size you make with EDM? What are 'included angles' and where are they utilized? Do you offer any needles with Aluminum hubs? What is AQL and what level does Popper use? What are standard length tolerances for blunt tubes or cannula? Are products manufactured by Popper considered Pyrogen-Free? Do you provide sterilization services? Do you provide needles with plastic hubs? What is the difference between grit and sand blasting? What is the smallest bend radius you can produce? What are A, B and C bevels? Is Popper ISO certified? Where does Popper manufacture? Does Popper allow factory audits? Does Popper have sales reps? Do you have manufacturing shutdown? Can OEM products be returned? What is your return policy? What are important elements to consider during my design which will impact how you make the part? How well can you control the ID of a swaged tube? What is the smallest ID that can be swaged? I noticed you can now provide electroless nickel plating. What standards are used for the coating?
