It’s no secret that there are vast numbers of medical products being manufactured for a wide variety of applications. These products may be as simple as a hand-held instrument, as complex as a computer-based imaging device and as unique as a custom-fit prosthesis. One thing they all have in common is that they impact the lives and wellbeing of millions of people. Therefore the machining of the parts that make up these devices must be held to extremely high standards, including zero defects.
According to Gosiger’s David Cogswell, the common theme expressed by attendees of the 2013 Medical Design & Manufacturing Show West was a desire to improve or expand their manufacturing capabilities. “The people I spoke with were company owners, manufacturing engineers and other production people looking for better ways to make their products, and to expand their businesses.” This, of course, bodes well for both the manufacturing sector and the overall economy.
Medical part manufacturing continues to be a rapidly growing market due to the large population of aging baby boomers who are looking for “improved quality of life”. Demand is high for high-precision components for neurological, orthopeadic, spinal/bone fixation, dental implants, drug infusion, catheter connectors, optical, maxillofacial, micro/minimally invasive, surgical instruments and other medical devices, most of which can be manufactured on the Hardinge QUEST® SUPER-PRECISION® GT27 gang-tool turning center.
For product manufacturers in the machining industry, CNC grinders are the workhorses of their production lines. The versatility and high amount of precision make these machines a highly valuable and crucial player in the world of machining. CNC grinders enhance productivity by offering features such as automatic tool loading and the support of multiple grinding wheels.