At Great Lakes Engineering, we’re proud to lead the industry with innovative solutions like our Wave Glide™ Squeegee Blade, a game-changer for precision manufacturing. Designed by Lu-Con Technologies and manufactured at our ISO 9001:2015-certified facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota, the Wave Glide™ is engineered for superior performance in electronics and medical device production. Its unique design and paste management technology make it an essential tool in the medical industry, where precision, cleanliness, and efficiency are paramount. Here’s how the Wave Glide™ Squeegee Blade supports the medical sector’s demanding requirements.
In medical device manufacturing, precision is critical, especially for printed circuit boards (PCBs) used in devices like pacemakers, diagnostic equipment, and wearable monitors. The Wave Glide™ Squeegee Blade excels in screen-printing solder paste, ensuring uniform deposition on fine-pitch PCBs. Its Integrated Paste Containment Wing eliminates tram-lines and paste seepage, reducing defects that could compromise device reliability. For example, in producing PCBs for insulin pumps, our blade’s slot-based design allows easy installation into any blade holder, minimizing downtime. Users report up to 250 grams of paste savings per job, cutting costs while maintaining the tight tolerances (±0.001 inches) required for medical-grade electronics.[](https://www.greatlakeseng.com/squeegee-blades.html)
Medical manufacturing often occurs in cleanroom environments to prevent contamination. The Wave Glide™ is designed for easy cleaning, with no nooks or crannies to trap residue, making it ideal for sterile settings. Its drop-in replacement capability simplifies blade swaps without disassembling holders, reducing operator exposure to contaminants. For instance, in stent production, where solder paste must be applied flawlessly to micro-components, the Wave Glide™ ensures consistent prints with minimal waste. This efficiency streamlines high-volume production, supporting the medical industry’s need for rapid, reliable output while adhering to strict regulatory standards like FDA requirements.
The medical industry’s push for miniaturization demands precision tools for smaller, more complex components. The Wave Glide™ supports this trend by delivering sharp, controlled paste application for fine-pitch and high-density interconnects. In applications like neurostimulators, where PCB features can be as small as 0.1 mm, our blade’s paste management technology ensures accurate deposition without excess material, reducing costly rework. Its durability, crafted from high-quality materials, withstands repeated use, making it a cost-effective choice for manufacturers scaling up production of compact medical devices.
At Great Lakes Engineering, we understand the medical industry’s need for precision, reliability, and compliance. Our Wave Glide™ Squeegee Blade, backed by over 20 years of manufacturing expertise, is tailored to meet these demands. Whether you’re producing diagnostic imaging equipment or implantable devices, our blade enhances print quality, reduces waste, and boosts efficiency. Contact our Director of Sales, John Carr, at johnc@greatlakeseng.com to learn how the Wave Glide™ can elevate your medical manufacturing process. Trust Great Lakes Engineering to deliver American-made solutions that power life-saving innovations.