Precision and Reliability
As one of the most stringent and demanding of industries with regards to precision and compliance to very specific standards, such as ISO 13485, it’s easy to see why medical devices require the utmost care. For the production of medical devices, machinery that can deliver high accuracy, consistency and quality is required. Mazak is one of the array of CNC machine manufacturers who have earned themselves a reputation as a leader in providing solutions that meet these exacting requirements. In the following article we will look into how Mazak CNC machines help the medical device industry in terms of precision and reliability.
Advanced medical devices and diagnostics allow people to live longer, healthier, more productive, and independent lives. From 1980-2019, 5 years were added to the U.S. life expectancy thanks to advancements in medical technology.
The Need for Precision in Medical Device Manufacturing
From surgical instruments to implantable products such as pacemakers and orthopedic implants, medical device manufacturing requires such a level of precision unmatched in other manufacturing sectors. The slightest deviation from specification can have quite significant consequences, including affecting patient safety and efficacy of the device. Achieving this precision is made possible by CNC machines.
Advanced technology and rugged construction make the Mazak CNC machines especially good for this job. They have high resolution encoders, advance servo motors, and complex control system that guarantees precise and repeatable work done in these machines. For example, a user friendly interface and lots of features, such as real time monitoring and adaptive control, have made Mazak’s Mazatrol CNC control system popular for its high level of precision.
Compliance with Industry Standards
As the medical device industry is heavily regulated, medical device standards like ISO 13485 or FDA regulations apply for designing, manufacturing and distributing medical devices. So compliance with these standards is not only the law, but also the right thing to do, in order to protect patients.
These regulations are designed into Mazak CNC machines. Features like traceability, documentation of machining processes and interworking with quality control systems are all there for the sake of compliance. For example, Smart Manufacturing solutions from Mazak allow real time data collection and analysis to generate reports necessary for regulatory audits.
Mazak’s machines are also built to last in a controlled environment, and withstand the rigors of continuous operation. With their robust build quality and reliability, there is little risk of downtime on production lines and ensures their operation in the most efficient way, a highly important feature, especially when the tight deadlines common to medical device manufacturing are taken into account.
Most Used Mazak Series in Medical Device Manufacturing
Several Mazak CNC machine series are particularly popular in the medical device industry due to their versatility, precision, and reliability.
Mazak HCN Series: The HCN series of horizontal machining centers is widely used for producing complex medical components. These machines offer high-speed machining capabilities combined with exceptional accuracy, making them ideal for machining materials such as titanium, stainless steel, and other alloys commonly used in medical devices.
Mazak VCN Series: The VCN series of vertical machining centers is another favorite among medical device manufacturers. These machines are known for their high precision and versatility, allowing for the production of a wide range of components from simple to complex geometries. The VCN series is particularly adept at handling small to medium-sized parts, which are common in the medical device sector.
Mazak QT Series: The QT series of turning centers is used extensively for producing round parts such as surgical instruments and implant components. These machines feature advanced turning capabilities with high-speed spindles and precision cutting tools, ensuring that parts are produced to exacting tolerances.
Mazak INTEGREX Series: The INTEGREX series of multi-tasking machines combines the functions of turning and milling in a single setup. This series is highly valued in medical device manufacturing for its ability to produce complex parts in a single operation, reducing setup times and improving overall efficiency.
Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity
The medical device industry also calls for precision and compliance, but to varying degrees, efficiency and productivity are equally important. For medical device manufacturers, tight production schedules and high demand volumes are often the norm, necessitating maximum output of production while maintaining quality.
From automated tool changers, pallet changers, to integrated robotic systems, all are aimed at increasing efficiency. For an instance, Mazak’s PALLETECH system enables unmanned operations through parts loading and unloading which results in significant increase in production capacity.
In addition, Mazak’s Smart Manufacturing solutions combine machine monitoring, predictive maintenance and data analytics capabilities to maximize production processes. These solutions enable identify bottlenecks, reduce downtime and increase overall plant efficiency.
Conclusion
The precision, reliability and compliance with industry standards required by the medical device industry are the highest in the world. These demands have been met with indispensability of Mazak CNC machines. Mazak machines with their advanced technology, robust construction and compliance features, ensure that medical devices are made to the highest quality standards.
Purchasing Mazak CNC machines can be a sound investment for CNC machine shop owners, managers and executives in the manufacturing industry, as their investment could positively affect precision, reliability, and efficiency of the operations. Mazak’s range of CNC machines can be used whether it is producing surgical instruments or implantable devices, they have the capabilities to meet the exacting requirements of the medical device industry.
