TPi Arcade

TPi Arcade is a leading manufacturer of high-quality aluminum castings specifically designed for the demanding needs of the medical industry. The company utilizes the cutting-edge, highly automated V-Process casting technology that delivers exceptional results consistently for a wide range of medical applications.

Unmatched Versatility for Medical Components

V-Process allows for the manufacture of a diverse array of aluminum components such as cosmetic housings, bases, brackets, arms, and enclosures. These parts are utilized in applications ranging from carts, analyzers, ventilators, microscopes, spectrometers to intricate robotic surgical, MRI, CT and X-ray systems.

The V-Process can achieve thin, vertical walls (no draft), aiding in reducing weight and cost. TPi has successfully converted components originally designed as a part machined from 6061 billet. Customers took advantage of the V-Process attributes to convert parts to a casting, reducing costs. This versatility ensures TPI can meet the specific requirements of your medical equipment, regardless of complexity or function.

What is V-Process Casting?

V-Process casting is an advanced sand casting technique that offers significant advantages over traditional methods. Unlike conventional sand casting that uses coarse sand held together with binders, V-Process employs exceptionally fine, dry sand and no binders at all. The process achieves mold formation through a unique vacuum packing technique.

1. A flask is filled with the fine, dry sand and vibrated for maximum density.
2. A sprue cup is formed, and the mold surface is leveled.
3. One side of the mold is covered with a thin plastic film.
4. A vacuum is applied to the flask, causing the atmospheric pressure to compress and harden the sand.
5. The vacuum is released, and pressurized air allows for the removal of the pattern, creating a plastic-lined cavity.
6. During pouring, the mold remains under vacuum, and after cooling, the vacuum is released, allowing the free-flowing sand to fall away, leaving a clean casting with a superior finish.

V-Process: Advantages for Medical Applications

The V-Process offers several key advantages that make it ideal for medical device manufacturing:

• Exceptional Surface Finish: The V-Process produces castings with a superior surface finish, critical for medical equipment requiring a clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This eliminates the need for extensive post-processing, saving time and cost.
• Lower Volume Blanket Orders: Medical device production often involves smaller, specialized batches. The V-Process is well-suited for these lower-volume blanket orders, ensuring you receive the parts you need without excessive inventory buildup.
• Speed to Market: Time is of the essence in the medical field. The V-Process allows for rapid turnaround times. Cast samples can be delivered in just 2-3 weeks, with complete turnkey components following in 8-10 weeks.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: The V-Process offers significant cost savings compared to traditional sand casting methods. Lower tooling costs and minimal investment for long-term programs make V-Process an attractive option. Additionally, inexpensive tooling changes provide flexibility and adaptability for evolving needs.
• Lightweight Design and Precision: The V-Process enables the creation of castings with 0° draft angles and thin walls. This translates to lighter weight components, a crucial factor for many medical devices, especially those requiring portability. Additionally, the process delivers exceptional dimensional accuracy – twice as accurate as typical sand casting – ensuring a perfect fit for medical equipment assemblies.

Turnkey Solutions: A Streamlined Approach

TPi Arcade goes beyond simply producing high-quality aluminum castings. We understand the critical role these components play in your medical equipment and offer a comprehensive turnkey solution to streamline your manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for customers to manage multiple suppliers, saving you time and resources. Here is what our turnkey capabilities encompass:

• Precision Machining: TPi Arcade offers CNC precision machining services to ensure your castings meet exact dimensional tolerances and functional requirements.
• Finishing Options: A variety of finishing options are available, including wet paint, powder coating, ROHS chromate, anodizing, and other chemical conversions to meet the aesthetic and performance requirements of your medical equipment.
• Pressure Testing: Components can undergo rigorous pressure testing to guarantee they meet the necessary standards for leak-proof performance in your medical device.
• Minor Assembly: TPi Arcade can handle minor assembly tasks, reducing the complexity of your manufacturing process and expediting delivery of complete components.
• Non-Destructive Testing: TPi offers in house digital x-ray, mechanical testing, outside film x-ray and die penetrant testing ensuring casting integrity and functionality.

By leveraging TPi Arcade’s turnkey capabilities, you will receive complete, high-quality medical castings, ready for integration into your devices, all from a single, reliable source. This simplifies your supply chain, reduces your workload, and ultimately helps bring your medical devices to market faster.

Beyond the Basics: Partnering for Success

TPi Arcade goes beyond simply producing high-quality aluminum castings. We understand the critical role these components play in your medical equipment. A team of experts collaborates closely with clients to ensure their specific needs and requirements are met. TPi offers:

• Design Consultation: TPi Arcade’s engineering team can provide valuable insights and recommendations throughout the design process, ensuring components are optimized for V-Process casting and function flawlessly within your medical device.
• Project Engineering: Once a project is awarded, TPi designates a Project Engineer as a single point of contact to ensure timelines and customer communication are provided in a timely manner.
• Quality Control: Stringent quality control measures that adhere to the AS9100 quality specification are in place throughout the entire manufacturing process, guaranteeing components meet the highest medical industry standards.

Choosing TPi Arcade for Your Medical Casting Needs

TPi Arcade offers a comprehensive solution for your medical aluminum casting needs. With our advanced V-Process technology, commitment to quality, and focus on customer collaboration, TPi ensures our customers receive reliable, high-performance components that contribute to the success of their medical equipment.

The Future of Medical Device Manufacturing with V-Process

The V-Process is a leading technology for the future of medical device manufacturing. Here is why:

• Potential for even lighter components: V-Process technology can lead to the creation of even thinner walled castings, making medical equipment even lighter and reducing material costs.
• Complex geometries: V-Process can handle even more intricate and complex geometries with 0° draft and walls as thin as .125”, allowing for the development of near net shape advanced medical devices.
• Increased automation: TPi’s highly automated production facility can lead to even faster turnaround times, consistent quality, and potentially lower production costs, benefiting both manufacturers and patients.

Press Releases

TPi Arcade at MD&M 2025 in Anaheim