Tag Archives: Northwire

Business

Medical Design Briefs Explores Silicone Alternatives, Northwire’s Impact on Life Sciences

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The cable and wire manufacturer’s BioCompatic represents their second feature in Tech Briefs.

Osceola, WI, USA (August 26, 2015) — Cable engineering company, Northwire, Inc., (NWI), lends their materials expertise to the increasingly popular conversation challenging traditional silicone. Striving to deliver cutting-edge solutions to customers, the cable manufacturer participates in Medical Design Briefs’ August issue featuring silicone alternatives.

Medical Design Briefs: Tech Briefs focuses on design and technological advancements in the area of medical manufacturing innovation. As part of this mission, the publication seeks out industry leaders and R&D professionals to contribute articles, white papers, videos, and other resources to educate and inform readers. This is the second consecutive year that the magazine has asked Northwire to provide an article highlighting the next-generation medical cable and wire solutions.

This year, Kevin DePratter, PMP® and Northwire’s Director of R&D, lent forty- two years of industry expertise to the article titled, “Silicone’s History – and Future – in Medical Manufacturing.” Exploring silicone’s versatility and its subsequent rise in popularity as a useful material in a number of medical device designs, DePratter demonstrates its inherent limitations as compared to the extreme performance properties of innovative alternatives. The silicone polymer’s applications range from valves and tubing to cable jacketing and beyond. Its adaptability to extreme environments, ability to meet biocompatibility standards, and durability against sterilization made silicone the popular selection for many years.

As silicone has many proven advantages, it is often viewed as the traditional go-to material for coating cables used in implantable medical devices, surgical tools and more. However, medical-grade silicone jacketed cable can be costly to produce, and most silicone suppliers require long lead times. Combined with Northwire’s materials science and industry expertise, recent technology enables field-proven silicone alternatives featuring more robust resistance to crush, cut and chemicals. Options for medical device cable materials such as Northwire’s BioCompatic are quickly growing. Leading the shift and meeting customers’ demands, Northwire is currently working on BioCompatic’s product family extension to serve the next phase of unique engineering requirements of medical device design.

Learn more by reading the article online at http://www.medicaldesignbriefs.com/mdbfeatures or by clicking here. For more information about Northwire’s publications or its work with The LEMO Group on highly resilient, cost-competitive, USP Class VI silicone alternatives, contact Customer Care at 800.468.1516, cableinfo@northwire.com, or via Live Chat.

About LEMO

LEMO is an acknowledged leader in the design and manufacture of precision custom connection and cable solutions. LEMO’s high quality Push-Pull connectors are found in a variety of challenging application environments including medical, industrial control, test and measurement, broadcast, and telecommunications.

LEMO has been designing custom connectors for over six decades. Offering more than 100,000 combinations of products that continue to grow through tailored, specific designs, LEMO and its affiliated sister companies REDEL, NORTHWIRE and COELVER currently serve more than 100,000 customers in over 80 countries around the world. In 2014, LEMO Group acquired Northwire, Inc. as part of its vision to provide a full range of interconnection solutions and services to niche markets.

About Northwire

Cable manufacturer, Northwire, Inc., celebrating over 43 years of innovation, has corporate headquarters and manufacturing in Osceola, Wisconsin and engineering and manufacturing in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The cable engineering company is the premier partner for the design, manufacture and contract services of custom technical products including custom technical wire and cable, retractable cable, cable assemblies, connectors, harnesses, injection molding and over-molding. Extensive test and development, contract engineering and rapid OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) services offered. Serving a wide range of markets with diverse applications in broadcast, life sciences, energy, MIL-Spec defense, industrial, machine vision, architectural lighting, underwater and beyond.

In addition to ISO 13485:2003, ISO 9001:2008, SAE AS9100C:2009 certifications and qualification to ISO 17025:2005, Northwire is a member of NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association), NCMA (National Contract Management Association), RIA (Robotics Industries Association), AIA (Automated Imaging Association), FieldComm (aka Foundation Fieldbus), ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Associations) and WAI (Wire Association International), among others.

For more information, visit http://www.northwire.com.

Media Contact:
Katina Kravik
Northwire
110 Prospect Way
Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
715-294-2121
cableinfo@northwire.com
http://www.northwire.com

Business

Northwire Provides Professional Assistance Regarding Changes to UL 758

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NWI explains the impact of important agency compliance changes.

Osceola, WI, USA (June 3, 2015) — Cable engineering company, Northwire, Inc., (NWI), keeps customers and partners informed on the constant evolution of agency compliance, environmental directives and technical specifications. Recently, Underwriter’s Laboratories made physical property additions to UL 758, the Standard for Appliance Wiring Materials. These detailed UL 758 revisions generated hundreds of pages of valuable technical information, and the potential impact encompasses millions of design engineers, products developers and purchasing professionals. For convenience, Northwire details the most salient elements in a clear and concise question and answer structure for ease of understanding:

1. Brief History: How did UL 758 gain prevalence?
In summary, “UL 758 was developed to consolidate requirements. Over the 40 years the category has been in existence, many people have had different interpretations of how to evaluate the wire. These procedures evolved over time…UL 758 was formed so that all customers and users of AWM were aware of the test protocol and requirements, and to maintain consistency,” according to Underwriter’s Laboratories. Contemporarily, in 2013, UL 758 was recognized as the global standard.

“Featuring over 6,000 AWM Styles throughout the 40 year history of UL 758, Northwire has been integral to connectivity in the earliest factory installations to the most contemporary state of the art facilities today,” explains Dionne CaPuzzi, Agency Compliance Technician.

2. Then vs. Now: How will UL 758 remain the same? What is the major change to UL 758?
Despite a proposal for the elimination of style pages, after soliciting internal and external key stakeholders, UL “determined that style pages provide unique identifiers for individual AWM constructions” and will remain in play. The main game changer is the additional physical property requirements, especially high-temperature.

3. What is the impact of the physical property additions to Appliance Wiring Material?
The new additions will help to ensure that Appliance Wiring Material is held to the same level of stringency and requirements as many other UL listed types such as Flexible Cords. This allows Northwire to design and manufacture wire and cables that will perform exceptionally well in demanding environments while maintaining compliance that meets requirements for multiple approvals.

4. Agency Compliance: Why is UL 758 related to UL 1581, UL 2556 and CSA?
The common thread is the UL Recognized AWM jacket styles are obligated to meet physical property requirements that can be found in UL 758 by using detailed instructions from UL 1581 and UL 2556, which are the governing test method standards recognized by both UL and CSA. This includes the advanced ratings for Multi-conductor TPU jacketed cables with ratings of 90°C and 105°C, and for voltages of 30, 150, 300, 600, and 1000V. They also comply with UL 758 Appliance Wiring Material requirements by being in accordance with the UL 1581 Section 1061 Cable Flame Test, and can also meet the CSA FT1 flame test requirements listed in CSA 210-11, which is Canada’s own Appliance Wiring Material standard.

5. Test Protocols: Which properties are tested?
• Northwire validated dozens of protocols at UL and CSA
• Dynamic temperature range of -60°C to 105°C
• Flame resistance to UL 1581 Section 1061, VW-1, FT1 and FT2
• Resistance to oil, sunlight/UV and ozone

6. Unique Differentiators: What are the advantages of Northwire’s AWM recognized UL and CSA cable products and offerings?
To start, AWM establishes requirements and test protocols ensuring consistency and safety. Featuring signal, control, power and instrumentation, Northwire’s versatile construction options and wide selection of conductor sizes ranging from 30V to 1,000V meet a host of standard and custom configuration needs. Northwire’s AWM approvals are ideally suited for a dynamic range of use in factory installations and diverse series of electrical components and offer a variety of insulation and jacket materials. Northwire’s AWM required, UL recognized, and CSA certified cable solutions are also approved for CE Mark in end products.

Northwire is committed to proactively developing cable products that meet the evolving demands of agency standards and environmental compliance. Learn more about Research and Development projects at Northwire by contacting 800.468.1516, cableinfo@northwire.com, or through Live Chat.

About LEMO

LEMO is an acknowledged leader in the design and manufacture of precision custom connection and cable solutions. LEMO’s high quality Push-Pull connectors are found in a variety of challenging application environments including medical, industrial control, test and measurement, broadcast, and telecommunications.

LEMO has been designing custom connectors for over six decades. Offering more than 100,000 combinations of products that continue to grow through tailored, specific designs, LEMO and its affiliated sister companies REDEL, NORTHWIRE and COELVER currently serve more than 100,000 customers in over 80 countries around the world. In 2014, LEMO Group acquired Northwire, Inc. as part of its vision to provide a full range of interconnection solutions and services to niche markets.

About Northwire

Cable manufacturer, Northwire, Inc., celebrating over 43 years of innovation, has corporate headquarters and manufacturing in Osceola, Wisconsin and engineering and manufacturing in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The cable engineering company is the premier partner for the design, manufacture and contract services of custom technical products including custom technical wire and cable, retractable cable, cable assemblies, connectors, harnesses, injection molding and over-molding. Extensive test and development, contract engineering and rapid OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) services offered. Serving a wide range of markets with diverse applications in broadcast, life sciences, energy, MIL-Spec defence, industrial, machine vision, architectural lighting, underwater and beyond.

In addition to ISO 13485:2003, ISO 9001:2008, SAE AS9100C:2009 certifications and qualification to ISO 17025:2005, Northwire is a member of NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association), NCMA (National Contract Management Association), RIA (Robotics Industries Association), AIA (Automated Imaging Association), FieldComm (fka Foundation Fieldbus), ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Associations) and WAI (Wire Association International), among others.

For more information, visit http://www.northwire.com.

Media Contact:
Katina Kravik
Northwire
110 Prospect Way
Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
715-294-2121
cableinfo@northwire.com
http://www.northwire.com

Business

LEMO – Northwire Launch European Distribution Open for Business

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Offering custom programs with short lead time, dedicated stock & service support.

Osceola, WI, USA (May 20, 2015) — Cable engineering company, Northwire, Inc., (NWI), in collaboration with precision cable connector market leader LEMO is pleased to announce the opening of the manufacturing companies’ European super warehouse, the European Distribution Center (EDC). Designed to rapidly respond to customer demands from its strategic location at LEMO Connectors Benelux in the Netherlands, the facility will offer specialised inventory programs, fast delivery and custom cable services and support. Both manufacturers and their customers will benefit from the advantages provided by a centralised responsive EDC, which is expected to be fully operational in second quarter of 2015.

“The launch of the European Distribution Center represents another milestone in LEMO and Northwire’s continuous pursuit to bring more value to our customers,” explains Northwire CEO Katina Kravik. Sharing Kravik’s enthusiasm is Niels Zonnenveld, Managing Director, LEMO Connectors Benelux, “In addition to engineering a complete connector and custom cable assembly solution for the Benelux region, LEMO and Northwire are pleased to offer specialized Kanban and inventory programs with short lead times personalised for our valued European customers.” Capitalizing on his ten year history and start-up of LEMO Benelux, Zonneveld is integral to the design, creation and implementation of this EDC, selecting and training “really energetic and vibrant” staff members and implementing robust systems.

The key customer benefits of the LEMO-Northwire EDC are within the Expedited Solutions and Services programme. Similar to Northwire’s USA-oriented NWI DIRECT and NWI EXPRESS programmes which feature fast delivery and factory-direct bulk cable cost savings, the EDC will focus on LEMO and Northwire customers in Europe in conjunction with LEMO’s local sales companies. These include warehousing and distribution, risk management redundancies, rapid response and delivery, custom wire and cable lengths and full logistical support for supply chain and inventory management. Additionally, like NWI EXPRESS, the LEMO-Northwire EDC will have very short lead times for custom cables.

In addition to offering the most frequently purchased cable design options in stock, the EDC will work collaboratively with customers to create flexible Kanban and custom stocking programs designed specifically to meet exacting requirements. With options and innovations increasing daily from LEMO and Northwire, and multiple configurations for customization such as shielding and jacketing, management for the EDC expects to offer literally thousands of cable assembly solutions in the near future.

Located on the LEMO Netherlands campus, the EDC facility allows room for future expansion, while the current facility boasts a brand new state-of-the-art industrial park, modern geothermal systems for heating and cooling, solar energy, and thoughtful design for efficiency and environmental awareness.

Serving Europe and beyond, the EDC is now accepting customer orders for standard cables and built-to-order custom cables and more. Tailored Kanban and flexible supply programs are also available for enrollment, as is the five day lead time service. To place an order or enroll in special custom programmes, contact your local LEMO company for further information at http://www.LEMO.com/contact, or connect with Northwire at cableinfo@northwire.com or via live chat at northwire.com.

About LEMO

LEMO is an acknowledged leader in the design and manufacture of precision custom connection and cable solutions. LEMO’s high quality Push-Pull connectors are found in a variety of challenging application environments including medical, industrial control, test and measurement, broadcast, and telecommunications.

LEMO has been designing custom connectors for over six decades. Offering more than 100,000 combinations of products that continue to grow through tailored, specific designs, LEMO and its affiliated sister companies REDEL, NORTHWIRE and COELVER currently serve more than 100,000 customers in over 80 countries around the world. In 2014, LEMO Group acquired Northwire, Inc. as part of its vision to provide a full range of interconnection solutions and services to niche markets.

About Northwire

Cable manufacturer, Northwire, Inc., celebrating over 43 years of innovation, has corporate headquarters and manufacturing in Osceola, Wisconsin and engineering and manufacturing in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The cable engineering company is the premier partner for the design, manufacture and contract services of custom technical products including custom technical wire and cable, retractable cable, cable assemblies, connectors, harnesses, injection moulding, over-moulding and contract engineering and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for diverse applications in broadcast, life sciences, energy, MIL-Spec defence, industrial, machine vision, architectural lighting, underwater and beyond.

In addition to ISO 13485:2003, ISO 9001:2008, SAE AS9100C:2009 certifications and qualification to ISO 17025:2005, Northwire is a member of NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association), NCMA (National Contract Management Association), RIA (Robotics Industries Association), AIA (Automated Imaging Association), FieldComm (fka Foundation Fieldbus), ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Associations) and WAI (Wire Association International), among others.

For more information, visit http://www.northwire.com.

Media Contact:
Katina Kravik
Northwire
110 Prospect Way
Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
715-294-2121
cableinfo@northwire.com
http://www.northwire.com

Business

Fabian Weber Brings Expertise to Northwire as VP of Innovation and Business Development

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Field-proven engineer and customer-centered focus drives solutions provider.

Osceola, WI, USA (May 5, 2015) — Northwire, Inc., (NWI), a leading custom cable manufacturer and subsidiary of The LEMO Group, has recently hired Fabian Weber to elevate the position of Vice President of Innovation and Business Development. In this technical and customer-centric role, Weber will collaborate with senior management on strategy for the company’s goal of driving innovation and growing sales across a diverse range of industries.

Weber grew up in Switzerland and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Major in Microelectronics from the University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland. He excelled in project and product management prior to promotions as Vice President of Business Development at a global corporation proficient in mechatronic drive systems and electric motors for applications ranging from vehicle to medtech.

Recalling a development and validation marathon at an OEM that was successfully concluded at early dawn, Weber emphasizes his customer-focused approach by “building strong relationships through problem-solving.” Committed to bringing value to his audiences, Weber also taught as an instructor and lecturer at IBZ Schools in Bern, Switzerland, and qualified as a Certified Professional Innovator by the University of Michigan. “Innovation and business development are intertwined” expresses Weber, “they fuel each other.” Accelerating collaboration amongst Northwire’s R&D, Field Application Engineers and Business Development Managers, Weber is empowered to deliver innovation to the voice of the customer.

Furthering Northwire and LEMO’s commitment to next-generation technologies, the first innovation horizon will continue the pursuit of cutting-edge wire and cable, cable assemblies, connectors, and contract engineering services such as rapid prototyping and broad testing capabilities. The 2020 Roadmap to achieve horizons two and three leverages progressive technologies while maintaining emphasis on providing optimized solutions to valued customers and targeted prospects.

Ongoing, Weber will be identifying current customer challenges that can be solved with the integration of Northwire and LEMO products and services. The manufacturing companies’ partnership gives customers access to a wide selection of cable assembly products, engineering and manufacturing services, research and development, and other international resources.

In the recent past, Northwire has announced two product solutions-BioCompatic, a robust silicone cable alternative ideal for medical environments, especially when optimized with a REDEL connector; and ruggedized SMPTE and ARIB hybrid fiber optic cable and assemblies featuring LEMO 3K.93.C broadcast connectors.

Northwire emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and professional and personal development with their valued staff. Learn more about careers with Northwire by visiting http://www.northwire.com/careers. To discuss NWI’s innovative new products and custom cable assembly creation, contact the Customer Care TEAM at 800.468.1516, cableinfo@northwire.com, or via live chat.

About LEMO
LEMO is an acknowledged leader in the design and manufacture of precision custom connection and cable solutions. LEMO’s high quality Push-Pull connectors are found in a variety of challenging application environments including medical, industrial control, test and measurement, broadcast, and telecommunications.

LEMO has been designing custom connectors for over six decades. Offering more than 100,000 combinations of products that continue to grow through tailored, specific designs, LEMO and its affiliated sister companies REDEL, NORTHWIRE and COELVER currently serve more than 100,000 customers in over 80 countries around the world. In 2014, LEMO Group acquired Northwire, Inc.

About Northwire
Cable manufacturer Northwire, Inc., celebrating over 43 years of innovation, has corporate headquarters and manufacturing in Osceola, Wisconsin and engineering and manufacturing in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The cable engineering company is the premier partner for the design, manufacture and contract services of custom technical products including custom technical wire and cable, retractable cable, cable assemblies, connectors, harnesses, injection molding and over-molding. Extensive test and development, contract engineering and rapid OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) services offered. Serving a wide range of markets with diverse applications in broadcast, life sciences, energy, MIL-Spec defense, industrial, machine vision, architectural lighting, underwater and beyond.

In addition to ISO 13485:2003, ISO 9001:2008, SAE AS9100C:2009 certifications and qualification to ISO 17025:2005, Northwire is a member of NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association), NCMA (National Contract Management Association), RIA (Robotics Industries Association), AIA (Automated Imaging Association), FieldComm (fka Foundation Fieldbus), ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Associations) and WAI (Wire Association International), among others.

For more information, visit http://www.northwire.com.

Media Contact:
Katina Kravik
Northwire
110 Prospect Way
Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
715-294-2121
cableinfo@northwire.com
http://www.northwire.com

Technology

One Month until RoHS2 – Choose Northwire’s Compliance Support Services

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Northwire is your partner for testing, sourcing, documentation, and more

Osceola, Wisconsin, June 23, 2014 – Only one month remains for medical equipment manufacturing and distribution companies to gain RoHS 2 compliance. On July 22nd, CE-marking medical devices in the same way will no longer be possible without adherence to the new directive. Companies that have concerns or questions, or need additional support to complete the recast RoHS certification process, can find a rapidly responding ally in Northwire, Inc., a leading cable manufacturer and contract engineering company.

To help valued customers, strategic partners and others in the life science industry acquire RoHS compliance for medical devices, Northwire’s TEAM of subject matter experts and certification specialists offers a comprehensive range of services including RoHS testing, pre-validated materials sourcing, guidance through vital documentation, and more.

Testing
Northwire offers a quality testing lab for Supervised Manufacturer’s Testing for Certification Program qualified by CSA Group and based on ISO 17025:2005. The contract manufacturer has also invested in an in-house, non-destructive, x-ray fluorescence material analyzer for RoHS testing. The same technology is used by regulatory agencies, and provides companies with electronic and hardcopy results instantly.

Sourcing
In addition to providing certified RoHS cables for medical devices, surgical equipment, and other life science applications, Northwire has assembled a supplier database with RoHS compliant validated materials. Companies in immediate need may benefit from selecting certain materials or parts from these suppliers until they are able to produce the RoHS compliant products themselves to avoid penalization or market share loss.

Documentation
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer, authorized representative, importer, or distributer to provide proof of RoHS 2 validation. This is not limited to the Declaration of Conformity; there are various forms of technical documentation necessary to the RoHS certificate of compliance. Northwire’s TEAM is adept at navigating these complex international guidelines to help companies understand and complete all needed documentation.

And More
An innovative wire and cable supplier, Northwire excels in custom cable creation for a wide variety of medical device designs. Sometimes, adhering to the RoHS 2 directive will require an upheaval in engineering, component choices, or production processes. Northwire’s NWI-Lab360 offers the ability to create the perfect solution that is both RoHS compliant and meets the rigorous demands of medical applications.

The RoHS2 deadline is nearly here. Northwire is equipped to quickly respond to last-minute requests and complications with full-service RoHS 2 compliance capabilities. Contact the NWI TEAM today to find support and solutions at 800.468.1516, cableinfo@northwire.com or through Live Chat.

About Northwire

Cable manufacturer Northwire, Inc., celebrating over 42 years of innovation, is a registered woman-owned small business (WOSB) with corporate headquarters, manufacturing and engineering in Osceola, Wisconsin and wire and cable manufacturing in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

The cable engineering company is the premier partner for the design, manufacture and contract services of custom technical products including wire and cable, retractile cords, cable assemblies, connectors, harnesses, injection molding, over-molding, and contract manufacturing and is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for diverse applications in life sciences, energy, aerospace, defense, mil spec, industrial, machine vision, architectural lighting, underwater, harsh duty cord and more.

Northwire is a member of Life Science Alley, NDIA (National Defense Industrial Association), NCMA (National Contract Management Association), RIA (Robotics Industries Association), AIA (Automated Imaging Association), Fieldbus Foundation, ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendors Associations) and WAI (Wire Association International), among others.

Contact:
Katina Kravik
Northwire
110 Prospect Way
Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
715-294-2121
cableinfo@northwire.com
http://www.northwire.com