
Classic Diagnostic Imaging, Macedonia, Ohio provides new, used and refurbished components for medical imaging equipment, including portable imaging machines. The portable units are designed to go to patients, rather than patients having to be moved to the X-ray room. This can be very beneficial to hospitals and doctor’s offices as it offers a safer alternative for patients.
Classic Imaging’s expert technicians are skilled in working with both analog and digital machines. They completely disassemble each machine, rebuild it from the ground up and finish it off with a fresh, new paint job. The refurbished machines feature an extended warranty and a guarantee that they will work better than new.
As Operations Manager at Classic Imaging, Steve Uhlir is directly involved with refurbishing the machines that come into the shop. “In order to stand behind our work, we use the absolute best parts and products available on the market,” Uhlir said. However, Classic Imaging was paying too much for more cable than they needed and receiving a substandard product. The company’s promise is to minimize downtime for their customers, so when Uhlir was having issues with a collimator cable in the imaging machines, he went searching for a replacement.
“I thought I was in over my head when I was looking for custom cable,” Uhlir explained. “I was sourcing a durable cable that was flexible enough to make tight turns in a confined area, but would also not stress the cable shield. The problem we were having was with a cable that feeds power to the X-ray focusing device. The collimator cable must rotate 270° and flip 270° at the same time. The cable shield was cracking at the point where it goes into the back of the collimator, thus dangerously exposing the wire. We needed a more flexible cable that could hold up to the twisting and turning demands of this machine.”

After an extensive internet search, Uhlir found exactly what he needed just a few miles down the road. “I had driven by TPC Wire & Cable a few times before, but never had a need for cable until now,” he said. It occurred to Uhlir that TPC might be able to help solve his collimator cable issues, so he stopped in on his lunch hour to inquire about custom cable options. “I left with so much helpful information. Not only did I find the answers to my cable problem, I also learned that I could customize the cable to solve some cable problems I never even realized I had,” he added.
Also located in Macedonia, Ohio, TPC Wire & Cable Corp. supplies wire, cable and connectors that are designed and engineered to withstand harsh conditions including abrasion, chemicals, constant flexing, and extreme temperatures. Tim Hannigan oversees custom engineered cable innovations at TPC and is the person that Steve Uhlir was referred to when he walked in the door. TPC’s engineers took the time to investigate and understand the dynamics of the machine, how the cable is used and how the cable routes through the machine.

Hannigan soon realized that there were several areas where TPC could help. First, was with the flexibility issue. Second, the cable that Classic Imaging had been using required a minimum order of 2,500 ft, much more than they needed. Third, the conductors were crossing at the point of termination, which caused stress on the conductors and reduced the flexibility of the cable.
Because TPC specializes in custom cable and assemblies, its design team was able to suggest a change to the rotational layout of the conductors to match those of the machine. This allowed for easier termination and less stress on the conductors during use, giving it more flexibility and better rotation, which leads to longer machine life.

“We must look at several factors before we can recommend a product to our customers, including environment, flexibility needs and jacket hardness, among others,” Mr. Hannigan said. “Changing one characteristic of the material can sometimes change other qualities that create new problems, so we have to be thorough.”
TPC’s custom capabilities allowed for a few upgrades that improved Classic Imaging’s collimator cable. TPC designed a private label legend that included Classic Imaging’s company name, phone number and the part number on the outside of the cable jacket. TPC was also able to color match the cable jacket to blend perfectly with the imaging machine exterior finish. Finally, TPC added medical grade insulation and changed the jacket so the cable meets USP (US Pharmacopeia) Class VI requirements for plastics. The USP Class VI compounds must be made from ingredients with clear histories of biocompatibility that meet tight requirements for leachates which is very important for cables in the medical industry.
In the end, TPC designed a cable that is more flexible and able to move freely within the constraints of the imaging machines that Classic Imaging refurbishes. “I couldn’t be happier with the service and results,” Uhlir said. “Our new collimator cable is a dream to work with—I cannot believe how flexible it is! It’s a joy not to fight this cable and force it to stay down with zip ties. It really does exactly what TPC said it would do.”

An added benefit is that TPC’s minimum order requirement is just 1,000 ft, which saves Classic Imaging money by not having to order more than they need. Uhlir also explains that printing the company’s name and phone number on the cable jacket helps with future customer reference and, along with the color match, makes the cable (and entire machine) look great. “We have comments from customers who thought we sent them a new machine,” Uhlir said.
Classic Diagnostic Imaging is committed to extending the life of their refurbished equipment by responding to engineers and medical professionals in crisis with immediacy and thoroughness. By working with TPC Wire & Cable to custom-design a long-lasting, dependable cable, they were able to solve their difficult application problems helping them keep that commitment to their customers. TPC is committed to providing products that outperform and outlast ordinary cable 10:1.
In addition to the medical industry, TPC serves a variety of markets including the steel, utility, mining, automotive, food and beverage, government, oil and gas, transportation and wood, pulp and paper.
TPC Wire & Cable
www.tpcwire.com
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