CNC machining, in its many forms, is one of the most versatile conventional manufacturing processes. This versatility extends to the types of parts that can be manufactured, the material from which they are made and the volumes produced. With conventional CNC milling and turning, parts for medical products can be manufactured very quickly, economically and in unlimited quantities. Here are the top benefits of using CNC machining to make medical products and why you might want to consider this for your next product development project.
CNC machining does not require fixed tools
Manufacturing a dedicated mold tool, such as would be used for plastic injection molding, can take an additional 3-4 weeks of production time. This includes not only the manufacture of the mold, but also the approval of samples and the optimization of the molding parameters. This additional development time and cost is perfectly reasonable for larger orders. But for small production runs or even single parts, it's hard to beat CNC machining for fast turnaround time and minimal investment.
There are no volume restrictions
Once a digital CAD file has been created, a cutting program can be generated from that file very quickly. This coding program can be used to make a single piece or multiple pieces with the push of a button. This is a great advantage when manufacturing single-use or custom parts, as is often the case with medical devices, prosthetics, and other highly specialized products. Other processes require minimum order volumes to ensure the necessary raw materials, which could make some projects unviable..
CNC machining works with many materials
This means that, with a few exceptions, standard CNC machines are capable of working with the most common rigid materials used for medical devices, tools, and end-use parts. These include stainless and mild steels, aluminum, titanium, and engineering grade plastics like PEEK.
CNC part machining is fast
Depending on the complexity of the part, the transition from a digital CAD file to a finished product can take just a few hours. This would be useful in emergency situations when it is difficult or impossible to predict in advance the types of supplies that might be needed at any one time. This has been clearly demonstrated recently by the sudden need for personal protective equipment brought on by the rapid and unexpected spread of the new coronavirus.
Greater tolerances on parts
Many sophisticated medical devices require very strict tolerances. This is easy to achieve on quality CNC machines. Surface finishes are usually excellent and require very little post-processing. This again saves time and money, but that is not the critical issue. The important point about medical products especially is that they must be fit for purpose and any deviation from the specifications could spell disaster. Digital machining reduces this risk to a minimum.
At SDM we are prepared and committed to face the challenges of the industry, we understand that precision and quality is essential for the success of companies that require specialized services. Our machines and specialized technical knowledge have made more than 7,900 projects successful. End-to-end process to meet customer demand.
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