January 10, 2006

5 Min Read
Machining Services

Originally Published MPMN January 2006

OUTSOURCING OUTLOOK

Machining Services

Andy Mead

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Andy Mead, Micro Precision Swiss, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

There are many opportunities in the medical device market for companies offering machining services. Suppliers of these types of services are often involved in the project from the very beginning stages. Many customers want the contract manufacturer to work closely with them during product development in order to ensure a robust design. In this way, the services provider learns about how the product functions, can produce prototypes to validate the design, and can establish processes to ensure ongoing product integrity.

One of the trends that we are seeing at our company is a demand for smaller and smaller parts, with very tight tolerances. To achieve these requirements, we believe it is becoming increasingly important to manufacture a part’s features in a single setup. We use multiaxis Swiss-type CNC turning centers to produce parts that traditionally would not be turned. Many contract manufacturers offer versatility such as five-axis milling or seven-axis grinding capabilities to match the correct machining technique for the application. Still others have their own network of suppliers to handle specialty operations such as electrical discharge machining or gun drilling.

Metal Die Stamping

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A tool designer, builder, and die stamper can manufacture components for use in products such as relays, switches, and connectors. Its 15,000-sq ft facility is equipped with four high-speed presses that can produce thin-gauge and relatively small progressive die stampings. The two 30-tn presses can reach speeds up to 1425 strokes per minute over a stroke range of 0.5 to 1.5 in., while the two 60-tn presses max out at 1120 strokes per minute over a stroke range of 0.62 to 2 in. The company specializes in stamping metal thicknesses between 0.025 and 2 mm with tolerances of ±10 µm. In-die riveting, welding, insert molding, and assembly are also available.
Kramski North America Inc., Largo, FL
www.kramski.com

Deep-Drawn Stampings

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A parts manufacturer produces components for medical OEMs. Parts for radiopaque markers and other implantables, surgical tool components, and prototypes are made from the company’s deep-drawn stampings and progressive dies. The parts are up to 2 in. long, with 0.045 to 2 in. ODs and wall thicknesses ranging from 0.004 to 0.06 in. The firm meets specifications to 0.0001 in. Available materials include tantalum, nitinol, exotic alloys, and 300- and 400-series stainless steel. An in-house toolroom permits rapid prototyping and production tool development.
Evans Co., East Providence, RI
www.evanstechnology.com

Precision Parts

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A precision machine shop offers contract manufacturing of components for use in Class II and Class III medical devices. The firm has prototyped and manufactured precision parts for use in medical instruments, bone screws, surgical implants, and diagnostic instrumentation. Tolerances of ±0.0002 can be achieved. CNC milling and turning, as well as Swiss turning, are offered.
Criterion Instrument, Brook Park, OH
www.criteriontool.com

Tubular Components and Assemblies

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A manufacturer of tubular components and assemblies offers machining. Services include prototypes, design assistance, and precision CNC machining and turning. Needle and wire component machining, assemblies, and component manufacturing are also available. The company’s facilities have CNC, EDM, ECG, and ECC equipment, supported by full-time tooling and engineering departments.
Popper & Sons, New Hyde Park, NY
www.popperandsons.com

Excimer and Nd:YAG Lasers

Excimer and Nd:YAG laser processing services and systems are offered for micromachining, ablation, cleaning, drilling, cutting, and surface modification. The company’s contract manufacturing center specializes in microstructures. Capabilities include 5 µm and larger feature size, multiaxis positioning, and applications development. The firm works with metals, ceramics, plastics, and composites. Custom laser micromachining system design is also available.
Exitech Inc., Sunrise, FL
www.exitechinc.com

CNC Turning

A high-precision machine shop specializes in making products for customers in the dental implant, orthopedic, surgical instrument, and medical device market. The company’s manufacturing facility has Swiss-type CNC turning centers with up to 10-axis capability, five-axis CNC milling systems, and seven-axis CNC tool and cutter grinders. Laser marking and welding, passivation, and extrude honing equipment are also available.
Micro Precision Swiss, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
www.microprecisionswiss.com

Machined Components

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A provider of orthopedic and spinal instruments manufactures machined components for medical OEMs. Parts are machined from raw stock on one machine without multiple setups. The company uses multiple Mazak Super Quick Turn 200MS-Y five-axis CNC lathes. The lathes offer milling capability and subspindle and y-axis machining, as well as a bar feeder, parts catcher, automatic tool eye, and chip conveyor. All grades of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum alloys, plastics, phenolic, and silicone can be machined. Additional process capabilities include silicone molding, EDM, grinding, heat-treating, welding, brazing, polishing, blasting, anodizing, passivation, electropolishing, laser marking, assembly, and epoxy paint marking.
Gauthier Biomedical Inc., Grafton, WI
www.gauthierbiomedical.com

Laser Micromachining

A machining firm has added several lasers to its contract services division. A 200-W fiber laser can be used for metal cutting, including stainless steel, up to 1 mm thick. In addition, the company has extended its UV capabilities by adding a 266-nm frequency-quadrupled diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser for fine work on materials such as plastics, ceramics, thin films, and metals. Also offered are 248-nm excimer lasers as well as fundamental, double-, and triple-frequency DPSS lasers. A variety of CO2 lasers are available for materials processing and system integration.
Photomachining Inc., Pelham, NH
www.photomachining.com


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