Better Product Solutions Podcast

In this episode, Steve Davis sits down with Michael Muchin, Business Director at Avery Dennison Medical, to explore the complexities of wearable medical devices and stick-to-skin adhesives. Michael shares insights into the human factors that influence adhesive performance (such as skin type, age, activity level, and placement on the body) and explains why there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The conversation covers misconceptions designers often have, the importance of testing, and how Avery Dennison guides design teams through early development with tailored sample kits and wear study protocols. The episode also breaks down the construction of wearable adhesives, including the skin layer, tie layer, and overpatch materials. Michael defines key adhesive metrics like tack, shear, and peel, and explains how they influence design decisions based on device weight and placement. He emphasizes the role of the tie layer in bonding different materials and the need for customization depending on application requirements. Throughout the discussion, Michael highlights Avery Dennison’s collaborative approach to helping customers validate and scale their designs effectively.

In this episode, we chat with Harald Breivik, CEO of Condalign, a technology company based in Oslo, Norway, that focuses on developing and commercializing conductive materials. We delve into the collaboration between Condalign and Tapecon, highlighting their conductive products and technology. We explore the core technology behind Condalign, which involves a patented process to manufacture conductive films with aligned particles. These films can be used for both thermal and electric conductivity, with applications in bonding electronic components and heat transfer. Harald shares insights into the technical advantages of Condalign's conductive film over traditional conductive epoxy, emphasizing its quick assembly and bonding capabilities on heat and pressure-sensitive materials.

In this episode, we chat with Ken, Head of Growth and Innovation at Covestro, a leading company in the development of polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) products. We delve into Covestro's rich history, from its origins as part of Bayer to its expansion through strategic acquisitions in Europe and North America. We explore the unique properties and versatile applications of TPU, highlighting its use in inflatables, medical devices, bulletproof glazing, and advanced wound dressings. Ken shares insights into Covestro's ongoing innovation efforts in the printed flexible electronics market and their collaborative approach with partners to develop and demonstrate TPU applications.

In this episode, we chat with Peter Panneri, Business and Product Manager of Ryandra Inc., a subsidiary of Tapecon, specializing in cohesive tape solutions for medical tube set manufacturers. Ryandra provides cohesive tape and tape dispensers to buyers, engineers, and marketing leaders who rely on them to improve product designs and simplify their processes. We explore the history of cohesive tape, its role in the medical industry, and how Ryandra's cohesive tape differentiates itself by offering added value beyond the tape itself. ---- Bringing a product to market is challenging. Having confidence in your contract manufacturing partner is critical. Tapecon works with product teams to improve your market competitiveness by manufacturing functional graphics, materials, and complete products to improve look, feel, and usability. Tapecon is a trusted partner of OEM contract manufacturing. We work with product teams to manufacture prototypes, components, assemblies and provide full production services involving custom materials converting and specialized application printing. Our extensive application engineering experience and collaborative partnerships enable us to assist in materials selection and process design for cost-effective functionality, performance, and reliability for medical, electronics, and industrial industries. Website - https://tapecon.com/

In this episode, we chat with Cameron Bell, Design and Application Engineer at Delta ModTech, a long-term machine collaboration partner of Tapecon. We discuss the Delta-Tapecon collaboration, focusing on their joint capabilities in supporting the production and commercialization of medical wearables. We also explore Delta’s advanced validation services, which help companies meet regulatory compliance requirements. To wrap up, we share an exciting preview of an upcoming trade show collaboration between Delta ModTech and Tapecon, where they'll showcase their innovative solutions for the medical device and wearable technology industries.

In this episode, we chat with Michelle Bonn, Chief Executive Officer at Compliance Team, offering FDA Regulatory, compliance, and engineering services for the life sciences, and biotech industries. In this episode, we discuss the critical role of quality agreements and the clear definition of intended use in medical device manufacturing.

In this episode, we chat with David Liebl, Chief Commercial and Technology Officer at Intricon, about the latest in wearable healthcare sensors. We discuss current trends, industry priorities, and how these innovative wearables are brought to market. Join us for a glimpse into the future of healthcare technology. ---- Bringing a product to market is challenging. Having confidence in your contract manufacturing partner is critical. Tapecon works with product teams to improve your market competitiveness by manufacturing functional graphics, materials, and complete products to improve look, feel, and usability. Tapecon is a trusted partner of OEM contract manufacturing. We work with product teams to manufacture prototypes, components, assemblies and provide full production services involving custom materials converting and specialized application printing. Our extensive application engineering experience and collaborative partnerships enable us to assist in materials selection and process design for cost-effective functionality, performance, and reliability for medical, electronics, and industrial industries. Website - https://tapecon.com/

In this episode, we spoke with John Burgoon, medical sales manager for Mativ. Mativ manufactures advanced medical materials, composites, and skin-friendly adhesives. We discussed wound therapy construction, customization, and how Tapecon helps bring prototypes to scalable production. John also discusses customization options, Mativ’s sustainability efforts, and future wound care technologies.

In Episode 19, we had a great conversation about printed sensors with Brad Hull, Printed Electronic Solutions Business Unit Director here at Tapecon. In this episode, we discuss the evolution and future of sensors, printed electronics, flexible hybrid electronics, portable healthcare wearables, and consumer electronics.

In this episode of our podcast, we spoke with John Crosby, Vice President of Operations at Grand Rapids Label (GR Label). We discussed GR Label’s journey toward zero-landfill, including the impetus, measures of success, reactions of suppliers and potential employees, and mentorship from other companies.

In this episode, we spoke with Aditi Subramanian, Strategic Business Unit Manager for the Healthcare side at FLEXcon. We discussed how OMNI-WAVE™, a revolutionary biosensing technology, eliminates the need for hydrogel in medical diagnostic and therapeutic wearable devices. Aditi also explained OMNI-WAVE’s benefits, applications, and testing standards, and how it is a roadmap for FLEXcon’s future in the healthcare space.

In this episode, we spoke with Arlene Short, Manager of Outreach and Recruitment for Goodwill of Western New York. Arlene discusses how the Goodwill Goodskills Career Builder program is training and connecting people in our community to meaningful work in the manufacturing and tech industries.

This episode is only our second podcast face-to-face in our post-Covid world, and we were excited to get to discuss some exciting safety technology with Pjeter Berishaj. Pjeter is the Global Sales Manager for LA-CO Industries and Tempil, Inc. and uses chemical engineering to work toward both medical safety and security, two topics he’s very passionate about. We sat down with Pjeter to discuss what he does for LA-CO and where their technology is heading in the future.

In this episode, we speak with Nick LaBelle, Advanced Specialist Application Engineer from 3M. As part of 3M, Nick has worked extensively with adhesive tapes and prefers to call them “Problem Solving Adhesives.” Nick’s role at 3M is to help bridge the gap between wanting a product to perform a specific way and how tape can help make that happen over more traditional manufacturing processes. He views the role of tape as solving design challenges for manufacturers in ways more traditional processes cannot. We sat down with Nick to discuss how Tapecon and 3M can help with any design challenge.

In this episode, we speak with Mary Sennett, Tapecon’s Quality and Compliance Manager. Mary has 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. Mary discussed Tapecon’s compliance system, including documentation, inspections, and quality testing, and how we fulfill requirements for different industries. Mary also explained why a thorough understanding of process validation is valuable to brand owners.

In this episode, we speak with Harry Moser, president of the Reshoring Initiative. Harry has 55 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, including 22 years as president of GF Machining Solutions. He received his bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He spoke with us about why he founded the nonprofit Reshoring Initiative, and why he’s passionate about helping companies understand the value of reshoring.

In episode 11 of The Better Products Solution podcast, we talk to Phil Heft, the Business Development Manager of North America for Memcon. Phil’s years of experience have led him to be an expert in all things connectors: connector assembly, purpose, and the functionality of connector systems. We sat down with Phil to discuss his thoughts on the evolution of his field, some things he thinks designers should keep in mind when it comes to connectors, and some of the emerging technologies he’s excited about.

In episode 10 of The Better Products Solution podcast, we talk to Rafael Tudela, a fellow Tapeconian with an interesting educational background. A double major in electrical and electronic engineering, Rafael spent most of his career on the electrical side before bringing his talents to Tapecon where he is mostly working in the world of flexible hybrid electronics. We spoke with Rafael about the exciting projects he’s working on at Tapecon and what he sees for the future.

In this episode Lou Brossard, the Senior Product Specialist from Curbell Plastics joins us. Lou specializes in films and tapes, and discusses the markets and applications for light management films. Lou also explains how light diffusion works, the technology behind it, and what needs to be considered with the selection of films when it’s being incorporated into a new project or design.