Outsourcing Outlook on Extrusion Services: Q&A

The range of skills that the medical device OEM should expect of an extrusion outsourcing partner include design assist, project management, automated machining of extrusions, and more, according to Gordon Knott, medical market leader at Alexandria Industries (Alexandria, MN).

MPMN: Why should a medical device OEM consider collaborating with an extrusion supplier?
Knott: Medical device OEMs can gain design expertise and reduce product development time by forming early partnerships with extrusion suppliers. An expert extrusion partner will begin by understanding the end application and then proceed to recommend cost-effective design options, including options for structural components such as a C-arm used in MRI equipment. An extrusion supplier should also be able to help OEMs evaluate net-shape objectives, considering that the extrusion process produces a uniformly flat and smooth surface with less waste than machined bar or plate stock. And if suppliers have the dual capability of forming and machining extrusions, they can design a single, streamlined product to replace multiple components that may require several additional manufacturing processes.

MPMN: What competencies should the OEM demand of an extrusion outsourcing partner?
Knott: Medical device OEMs should partner with extrusion suppliers that can offer design assist and project management, automated machining of extrusions, stretch forming of extrusions, and other manufacturing processes. They should also look for partners that are technical experts in engineering design, aluminum extrusion, and stretch forming and bending, as well as materials science and regulatory compliance. Criteria that set some suppliers apart from others could include ISO certification, RoHS and REACH compliance, and machine and process validation. Because customers may assign stringent geometric tolerances to parts that don't require them, it is also important that suppliers understand OEM tolerance levels. In addition, the OEM should partner with a supplier that can help improve product performance and safety while reducing ongoing costs by understanding product requirements and applications at the outset of the development phase.

MPMN: There been a trend recently of extrusion outsourcing firms offering more value-added services. What is the reason behind that?
Knott: As medical devices grow more sophisticated and precise, manufacturers need extrusion partners that can keep pace with increasing device complexity, while helping to streamline the production process. That's why we're seeing a trend toward more value-added operations on precision extrusions and added assembly processes. Such processes include precision machining, stretch forming, welding, finishing, and assembly capabilities.

Related: Extrusion Service Offerings