UAF Solves Thermal Challenges in Dermatological Equipment
Millions of people suffer from pigment and vascular conditions that include rosacea, port wine stains, inflammatory acne and spider veins. Most of the conditions do not cause health risks but can dramatically impact self-confidence and even cause psychological disabilities in those with the conditions.
Pulsed-dye lasers is one of the safest and most effective ways to erase unwanted marks from your skin. And one of the premier laser removal products, Vbeam Prima from Candela, is a great professional tool to help you achieve clear skin as well as treat acne scars, wrinkles, and dark spots.
Vbeam Prima is a gold standard treatment accepted worldwide. Time and again it proves itself as a well tolerated, easy-to-use tool for the treatment of vascular, pigmented and certain non-pigmented lesions with a low incidence of side effects affords its patients fewer and shorter treatments with little discomfort and downtime after treatments.
The Vbeam Prima system has four filters in total: two in back to manage dust and other environmental issues, a curved filter within, and even smaller filter to help the chiller. The machine’s original design had an injection molded two piece spring filter built right into it, which proved more costly and inadequate, as it could not endure the high temperatures generated by the system.
The thermal characteristics of the original design had very tight margins and a higher media density, which led to pressure drop concerns. The system also had a transparent screen that exposed the laser’s mechanics and allowed space for objects to be put into the machine. All of these factors contributed to Candela’s decision to seek alternative filter options.
Vadim Grinis, Senior Mechanical Engineer at Syneron-Candela, knew he needed more durable filter options with higher temperature thresholds and greater margins than what the current system contained. In addition, the unique contour within the laser device would require a significant investment in tooling to accommodate an air filter. Retrofitting parts is never simple, but after hearing the custom design and material capabilities of Universal Air Filter, Vadim was ready, “Let’s make a prototype!”
UAF and Candela collaborated on a 3D CAD design by using UAF’s free online 3D CAD tools, UAF was able to evaluate the mechanical design, laser-cut a Flex-Frame filter to fit the contoured shape, eliminate tooling costs, provide UL 94 flame safety, and create custom prototypes to meet all of Candela’s requirements., UAF was able to evaluate the mechanical design, laser-cut a Flex-Frame filter to fit the contoured shape, eliminate tooling costs, provide UL 94 flame safety, and create custom prototypes to meet all of Candela’s requirements. The curved, Flex-Frame technology was a natural fit for PicoWay. The air flow concerns were addressed by selecting a low pressure drop media with high dust loading and a UL 94 rating. In addition, industrial design challenges were solved with a media color to give the overall system a sleeker appearance. The light gray foam against the light gray machine color gives it a softer feeling – the contrast between them looks good – and there are no openings which protects against fingers or other objects entering the equipment.
Vadim is very happy with UAF service, capabilities and solutions. He also notes PicoWay sales have doubled in 2018 due to the change. Vadim recognizes the design collaboration was a “great job and hopefully we can use UAF in another product.”