Originally Published MPMN December 2008

NEED TO KNOW

Micromachining Contractor Norman Noble Completes Expansion

A medical device contract manufacturer has completed a $1.9 million expansion to increase the automation capability of its metal finishing operations. Executed in adherence with ASTM standards, the expansion has enabled Norman Noble Inc. (Highland Heights, OH) to automate production lines that perform chemical descaling of laser-cut materials, passivation, finishing, and polishing processes. Additionally, the company has enhanced its existing environmental controls, which regulate humidity, temperature, and filtering and are critical to the company's development and manufacturing processes. As part of the transformation, the company's top technical experts will focus on specific R&D and production areas.

The investment, which doubles the capacity of the company's R&D and production finishing operations, was prompted by market growth and customer demand for the metallic- and PEEK-based medical devices and implants that are used in cardiovascular, orthopedic, and sports-medicine applications. Requests from customers for increased production of custom nitinol-based products, combined with a company strategy to diversify micromedical device development and production, necessitated the expansion, states Dan Stefano, Norman Noble's vice president of manufacturing.

"The combination of market factors made a compelling business case for expansion," notes Stefano. "This investment further solidifies our position as a leading micromachining supplier with capabilities that span the full manufacturing spectrum from prototyping to full production and finishing--all under one roof." The expansion also positions the company to support the manufacture of implants that are required by the growing orthopedics market.

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