mmbt 16 carrier vertical braider 11 micron by 33 micron braid close up

MMBT16CVFWB Braids 304VX BenderWire 11-micron x 33-micron Flat Wire | High-Speed Micro Braiding

Redefining Micro Braiding: Micron Level Braiding of Exotic Materials For Extreme Applications

At MD&M Midwest, MMBT16CVFWB achieved a micro braiding milestone by running a custom 304VX BenderWire 11-micron x 33-micron flat wire at 65.6% speed — over three times faster than the previous 11-micron round wire. Scott Metcalf’s idea for a flatter wire enabled smoother, faster braiding, highlighting MMBT’s leadership in micro-wire braiding technology for medical catheter manufacturing.

MMBT16CVFWB Braids 11µm×33µm 304VX BenderWire | Micro Braiding Breakthrough

11 Micron × 33 Micron 304VX BenderWire Breakthrough

When MMBT braider technician Scott Metcalf looked at a spool of 11-micron wire, he asked: what if it were flatter?

That question led to a breakthrough at MD&M Midwest in Minneapolis, MN on October 21, 2025, where MMBT16CVFWB successfully produced an 11 micron × 33 micron flat wire braid using 304VX BenderWire — faster, smoother, and more precise than traditional 11 micron round wire.

A Collaboration in Precision

Innovation rarely happens in isolation. For this project, Heinrich Stamm GmbH and Sebastian Ablas partnered with MMBT to create a custom 304VX BenderWire specifically for Scott’s experiment.

Scott suggested maintaining the 11-micron thickness while widening the wire to 33 microns, predicting the flat profile would braid more efficiently.

“This is a brand new wire that Sebastian created just for me. I had suggested he create flat wire at the same 11-micron thickness with a width of 33 microns, as I believed it would braid much easier. This is absolutely brand new material, and it braids fantastically! I demo the speed it is running at, which is 65.6% speed,” said Scott Metcalf, MMBT braider technician.

Why Flat Wire Changes the Game

Switching from round wire to flat 304VX BenderWire provides multiple advantages:

  • Higher braid speeds due to improved wire stability
  • Reduced wire deformation and consistent geometry
  • Enhanced torque transmission for catheter applications
  • Thinner braid walls without sacrificing strength

Proven Results at MD&M Midwest

MMBT16CVFWB maintained excellent carrier control and precise tension throughout the live demo, proving what’s possible in micro-scale catheter and guidewire manufacturing.

Key Takeaways

  • 11 µm × 33 µm flat 304VX BenderWire braided flawlessly at 65.6% speed
  • Improved performance over round wire geometry
  • Demonstrated live using MMBT16CVFWB
  • Proven potential for catheter and guidewire applications

Pushing Boundaries, One Micron at a Time

This achievement reflects what drives MMBT: innovation through collaboration, precision through engineering, and performance proven in real-world production.

💡 Learn more or request a demo →

Technical Specs

Feature Detail
Braider Model MMBT16CVFWB
Wire Type 304VX BenderWire
Wire Size 11-micron x 33-micron flat wire
Machine Speed 65.6%
Collaborators Scott Metcalf (MMBT by Metro CAD), Sebastian Ablas, Heinrich Stamm GmbH
Event MD&M Midwest, Minneapolis, MN, Oct 21, 2025

Explore Our Braiders

MMBT continues to push the boundaries of micro braiding technology. From custom wire design to high-speed performance, this milestone shows how innovation and collaboration create industry-leading solutions.

💡 Explore MMBT's full line of fine-wire braiders and request a demo →

ブログに戻る