Guill Tool reciprocal tubing die designed to streamline production

Guill Tool has a portfolio of multi-layer dies and, most recently, a reciprocal tubing die for wound draining that reconfigures the internal chambers of the tubing to accommodate drainage. 

Drain tubes can be inserted prophylactically to prevent or remove the accumulation of fluid in a wound.  Alternatively, such tubing can also be therapeutically inserted to evacuate an existing collection of fluid in a wound. Fluid is removed in order to treat or prevent infection and promote wound healing and patient comfort. Drain tubes can also be used to diagnose post-operative complications such as an anastomotic leak or haemorrhage. The Guill design has features that are designed to eliminate the need to weld or otherwise join sections with different profiles together.   

“Our automated extrusion process drastically changes the extruded profile in production, with no need to join separate sections of internal profiles.” Tom Baldock, sales manager, Guill Tool.

Guill has engineered this new reciprocal tubing die with various features. The traditional tip and die assembly is replaced with a linear reciprocating assembly that changes the tube’s profile within a given length. This process is repeated throughout a single extrusion run without interruption. Cutting capability, in association with the extrusion speed, cuts the finished product to length.  

While cost and value stream activities are reduced, quality is actually improved. Only one extrusion run is needed to produce a finished product, as opposed to multiple extrusion runs with tooling changes along with a manual assembly operation to connect different tubing shapes via sonic welds or other methods of joining.  Guill’s new reciprocating head eliminates this entire assembly operation. It also eliminates in-process inventory. Thus, there is no need for storage of various tubing shapes and connectors needed for assembly, fulfilment of orders and replenishment of finished goods.