Peter Jacobs, Senior Director of Marketing at CNC Masters08.05.22
In a continually evolving sector, orthopedic manufacturers aim to maintain a competitive edge by investing in new product development and coming out in the market with the most enduring, reliable, and inventive products for clients. They acknowledge the rapidly growing market for orthopedic devices, particularly among sportspeople and the busy elder generation who require high-quality solutions.
As a result, orthopedics businesses are now seeking compact and lightweight components with precise tolerances in complicated geometries to cater to a wide array of problems. This is where precision technology applications step in to achieve these stringent product standards and specifications. Let's explore further into the topic.
Talking about the production volumes, this market witnesses a much lower volume in comparison to other healthcare divisions, and the high level of competitiveness means your product turnaround should be around a month. It significantly reduces the time window between the product design and development phase and market launch to as little as six months.
Previously, companies were in a powerful competitive position in this industry if they could conquer a three-month lead time. But today, with the incorporation of precision manufacturing machine technology, we can produce several products such as plate systems, spinal implants, and screws, to name a few, in a relatively shorter time. Hence, end customers are reluctant to pass through the development cycle twice. Thus one should be able to prototype as well as produce quicker to stay afloat in the orthopedics market.
Today, multiaxis machines such as a CNC router are employed by manufacturers to carry out multiple production tasks simultaneously. The tools are appropriate for several orthopedic products, including minimally intrusive surgery equipment and devices for the hips, spine, and knees. This equipment satisfies the stringent standards and parameters of manufacturing tight tolerances.
Additionally, in an effort to develop a competitive advantage, manufacturers are investing in R&D for new product design innovations as a result of more economical and proficient machinery on the production floor.
Certain ways to extract the utmost production efficiency from precision technology include:
Currently, it takes a lot of testing because there isn't as much readily available industry expertise in dealing with those materials and components. For instance, it will be quite difficult for someone who has only previously worked with titanium/ stainless steel in the orthopedics sector to transition to cobalt chrome solutions.
Another challenge is the optimum application and capability of precision manufacturing technology to achieve utmost dimensional accuracy and surface finish as difficult-to-machine materials may develop cracks during the cutting operation.
Therefore, the precision machining processes must be specifically modified to accommodate all these variations. Additionally, manufacturers of machine tools must make adjustments here to track market developments and demands and be prepared to provide the finest solutions and products.
Engineers and designers are in the best position to expand to new horizons of product design and development innovations and come up with the best solutions for people in need.
Peter Jacobs is the Senior Director of Marketing at CNC Masters. He is actively involved in manufacturing processes and regularly contributes his insights to various blogs on CNC machining, 3D printing, rapid tooling, injection molding, metal casting, and manufacturing in general.
As a result, orthopedics businesses are now seeking compact and lightweight components with precise tolerances in complicated geometries to cater to a wide array of problems. This is where precision technology applications step in to achieve these stringent product standards and specifications. Let's explore further into the topic.
Orthopedic Devices Require a Faster Turnaround
Manufacturing facilities that employ precision technology have two challenges in front of them. First, they are obliged to make dimensionally accurate products and devices. Second, they must deliver well within extreme time constraints, otherwise, they would lag behind in the race. Orthopedic companies expect their vendors to get their devices out into the market as soon as feasible.Talking about the production volumes, this market witnesses a much lower volume in comparison to other healthcare divisions, and the high level of competitiveness means your product turnaround should be around a month. It significantly reduces the time window between the product design and development phase and market launch to as little as six months.
Previously, companies were in a powerful competitive position in this industry if they could conquer a three-month lead time. But today, with the incorporation of precision manufacturing machine technology, we can produce several products such as plate systems, spinal implants, and screws, to name a few, in a relatively shorter time. Hence, end customers are reluctant to pass through the development cycle twice. Thus one should be able to prototype as well as produce quicker to stay afloat in the orthopedics market.
Multi-Purpose Precision Technology Gives an Upper Hand
Both precision manufacturing machine technology and orthopedic device innovation have shown tremendous advancement in the past few years. As a result, the affordability of the production process has attracted more businesses to enter the industry.Today, multiaxis machines such as a CNC router are employed by manufacturers to carry out multiple production tasks simultaneously. The tools are appropriate for several orthopedic products, including minimally intrusive surgery equipment and devices for the hips, spine, and knees. This equipment satisfies the stringent standards and parameters of manufacturing tight tolerances.
Additionally, in an effort to develop a competitive advantage, manufacturers are investing in R&D for new product design innovations as a result of more economical and proficient machinery on the production floor.
Precision Technology Can Deliver Substantial Cost and Production Efficiency
Most businesses prefer complete products to be manufactured using a single machine operation without needing supplementary equipment, thus, minimizing production costs. Optimum utilization of precision technology could help us achieve this cost reduction. Now, considering the production efficiency, many precision machining operations require less personnel engagement, and still, companies are trying to figure out solutions to do tasks more quickly and economically.Certain ways to extract the utmost production efficiency from precision technology include:
- Manufacturers can employ equipment devoted to producing comprehensive products without subsequent processing, as well as supply the accessories required to machine, calibrate, process, and clean components.
- Deploying newer cutting tools can significantly improve the machining operation.
- Part program optimization using software helps save machine setup and idle time.
- Companies should also consider inventing new machine attachments tailored to specific product requirements.
Need for Technology and Skill Up-Gradation for Difficult-To-Machine Materials
In orthopedics, there has been an ever-growing demand for top-quality implantation and components composed of the most durable materials. As a result, companies work to enhance machining operations, and the development of innovative materials will further increase the demand for sophisticated procedures.Currently, it takes a lot of testing because there isn't as much readily available industry expertise in dealing with those materials and components. For instance, it will be quite difficult for someone who has only previously worked with titanium/ stainless steel in the orthopedics sector to transition to cobalt chrome solutions.
Another challenge is the optimum application and capability of precision manufacturing technology to achieve utmost dimensional accuracy and surface finish as difficult-to-machine materials may develop cracks during the cutting operation.
Therefore, the precision machining processes must be specifically modified to accommodate all these variations. Additionally, manufacturers of machine tools must make adjustments here to track market developments and demands and be prepared to provide the finest solutions and products.
Conclusion
The potential and use cases of precision technology in the orthopedics sector are limitless. Technologies like Stereolithography and Laser Deposition and concepts such as Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) can completely revolutionize how complicated orthopedic implants and devices are manufactured.Engineers and designers are in the best position to expand to new horizons of product design and development innovations and come up with the best solutions for people in need.
Peter Jacobs is the Senior Director of Marketing at CNC Masters. He is actively involved in manufacturing processes and regularly contributes his insights to various blogs on CNC machining, 3D printing, rapid tooling, injection molding, metal casting, and manufacturing in general.
