Vincent Hua, marketing manager at TSINFA, explores the impact of precision machining on the medical device sector.
Precision machining is found in a variety of sectors, including electronics, aircraft, and healthcare. CNC machines are used to make a lot of medical components and devices. The medical equipment industry consists of various medical parts, such as implants for spine reconstruction, knee, and hip replacements, etc.
In an industry where mistakes lead to serious injuries or even death, the machining process of medical parts must be extremely precise. In addition to manufacturing complying with ISO 9001 quality management obligations, medical components and devices must comply with other higher standards.
Medical tools are built with care to ensure that each patient treated is handled with precision. Precision machining is used to manufacture surgical tools, lasers, and even robotics which are now being used in surgeries. CNC Machining provides the know-how, processes, and machinery needed to manufacture these incredibly small parts.
Among all machining techniques, CNC machining has shown to be the best suitable for developing precise medical equipment and instruments. Over time, advancements in CNC processing technology have humanised the manufacture of medical equipment.
CNC Machining in medical device manufacturing
Because of its strong compatibility with the health industry, machinists have begun to tap the potential of CNC medical machining in producing medical precision components. Here are some types of medical equipment that are manufactured using CNC machining:
Surgical tools
CNC machining can produce high-quality surgical tools needed by medical professionals during procedures, such as:
- Cutters.
- Surgical scissors.
- Biopsy tubes.
- Implant holders.
- Blade handles.
- Forceps.
Such CNC manufactured surgical equipment and instruments necessitate meticulousness and precision and additional safety criteria.
CNC machining is a finely detailed and precise process for crafting equipment such as medical instruments. Because certain tools need to be customised for individual patients, they typically are not made using mass production machines. Making custom items by hand can be time-consuming and expensive, but CNC machining allows companies to streamline the process without sacrificing quality and speed of delivery.
Micromachining
Micromachining deals with the manufacturing of remarkably small medical parts utilised in implantable devices and others. Micromachining can produce very small tools or parts, including:
- Drug delivery systems.
- Pacemaker components.
- Miniature screws for implants and devices.
- Catheters.
- Stents.
These machines are extremely sophisticated despite their small size, necessitating extreme accuracy and ability.
Implants
For medical professionals, proper durable and effective equipment is important to ensure that their patients are comfortable and get the best treatment possible. Machinists also require the same; therefore, it is beneficial to make repeated use of strong tools. One strong tool used by both groups is CNC machining. Those who engage in the medical profession commonly perform surgery on patients' bodies where implants are required. These implants can be manufactured through processes performed by machinists using 3D printing or other methods to produce higher-quality gadgets.
Essential medical equipment
CNC machines manufacture the essential equipment needed for today's world, such as heart rate monitors, x-ray machines, and MRI scanners, among a long list of other important items. All these devices are comprised of thousands of individual pieces that can be manufactured using a CNC machine.
The advantages of precision machining in the medical industry
Thanks to precision engineering, we can experience many medical breakthroughs today that would not be possible if not for the new and improved technology and products brought about by the developments and innovations of this field. Take a look at some ways precision machining affects your health and how it will continue to advance the state of medicine in the future.
Machining meets the most stringent tolerances
In the medical industry, accuracy is of the utmost importance. One aspect that contributes to surgical success is a tool that fits perfectly into a surgeon's hand. However, precision machining is not limited to surgical instruments. It helps construct robotic arms and other devices used in surgeries to perform complex operations which were unthinkable even ten years ago - such as breast augmentations or microsurgeries on embryos without harming the mother.
Durability! Safety! Non-reactiveness
Materials used in medical scenarios should be equipped for heavy-duty work, strong, sufficient and resilient. For example, joint replacements are often crafted out of stainless steel or titanium because that type of metal proves itself to be incredibly strong and ensures a long service life which is also resistant to any reaction to the human body.
Therefore, precision machining was developed to keep these materials odourless and untainted by harsh chemicals that might react with the human body, thus promoting infections or other problems that can be harmful or fatal.
Miniaturisation
Medical implants are instruments that transform and save lives each day. These devices are thinner, smaller systems that are easier to manoeuvre during the operation process. Thanks to technology, service efficiency has dramatically increased. Because of that, patients can live their life normally with no trouble.
Custom designing
Precision machining of medical devices is a great use of CNC machining for several reasons. First, designing custom medical parts with computer-controlled machines is fast and easy. Secondly, the overall development cost of such precision products is lowered because the individual parts can be relatively inexpensively fabricating from raw materials - since moulds for large production runs are unnecessary.
The CNC turning centre is a powerful tool that can make complex parts for your project. This specific tool can also be used for cutting cylindrical, conical, spherical, and drilled holes, as well as milling grooves and threading materials.
Such precision products have been especially helpful to amputees and others who need prosthetic devices that exactly match their dimensions and needs.
Conclusion
The world of medical technology is changing at a rapid pace. This is largely due to the advent of precision machining. Precision CNC machining enables medical device manufacturers to create more cost-effective products that take less time to develop than ever before.
Precision machining makes it possible for medical device manufacturers to create products that can be customised to meet the specific needs of patients. The future of medical technology is looking bright because of the precision machining industry!
