Medical equipment, such as orthopedic implants, is one of the largest industries that utilizes CNC machines daily. Their products require machines with tight tolerances and high precision to ensure the development of various such products. Orthopedic implants can be of different types, like hip or knee replacements, spine cages, bone screws, and plates. CNCs are the only machines that can provide the exceptional precision needed to produce such high-quality products, which ensures proper functionality and also the safety of patients. So, which machine can be the best choice for manufacturing these orthopedic implants? The answer is not one but many, which includes 5-axis mills. Mill-turning centers, Swiss lathes, grinding machines, and EDM.
Which machine is needed for what machining work?
Let’s jump into finding out what kind of CNC machines are needed for making different types of orthopedic implants:
- 5-axis milling machines: 5-axis milling machines are a great invention of the human species, as these machines can work on a workpiece from different angles and get the most complex of works done in just a single setup. Femoral components for knee replacement or spinal implants are extremely complex geometrical designs that can easily be made with the help of these CNC machines. These machines can also achieve extremely tight tolerances, which helps you to make products that can easily fit in a patient’s body. Some hard-to-machine biocompatible materials like titanium, cobalt-chrome alloys, and PEEK can be machined using these machines only.
- CNC Swiss-type lathes: Swiss type lathes are known for their capability of making small, minute size cylindrical products with high accuracy and speed. This capability of the CNC swiss type lathes helps them in manufacturing delicate components like bone screws, pins, and small connectors often needed in orthopedic fixation systems. They are also compatible with different biocompatible materials like titanium and stainless steel, and the swiss type lathes of well known brands are also known for their capability to achieve tight tolerances, which ensures that the
- CNC mill-turning center: These machines combine the capabilities of both milling and turning machines. They offer rotating tools for milling features on a turned part and turning capabilities for cylindrical geometries. Products like bone screws and rods can easily be made with the help of these machines, and all these operations can be performed in a single setup by these CNC machines, which will reduce your cycle time and increase the overall productivity of your business. The high end machines of top brands also ensure high accuracy and repeatability.
- CNC grinding machines: CNC grinding machines are best for achieving top notch surface finishes and achieving tight tolerances, which can be used for fine tuning the product after the initial machining work is done. The orthopedic implants need a smooth surface finish, which ensures biocompatibility so that the machine or part can properly fit inside the patient’s body and function. If materials like cobalt-chrome and ceramics are used in the elements, which are generally hard and abrasive, then grinding machines can help in handling these materials without compromising the product’s quality.
- Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM): Last but not least, EDMs are not used that frequently for machining orthopedic implants, but are very important for cutting extremely hard or delicate materials with complex internal features. They are well celebrated for their high precision machining capabilities, and reduced risk of machine damage, as there is no contact between the tool and the machine during machining with these machines. They are sometimes used alongside CNC machines for better finishing.
Top machines that you might look for when trying to buy orthopedic implant machining CNC:
Here are some top CNC machines that you might look for when buying a CNC machine that can help you machine orthopedic implants:
- DMG Mori DMU series (DMU-50)
- Mazak INTEGREX series (i-200s)
- Haas UMC series (UMC-750)
- Hermle C series (C-250)
- Star SR swiss type lathes
- Glebar GT-610 CNC centerless grinder
Conclusion:
CNC machines are the go-to name for any modern manufacturing business and machining plant for any kind of product. Orthopedic implant is a huge industry that is expected to grow to the valuation of 77.4 billion dollars by 2032, as per a report, so if you’re also a part of these industry then you will need some top notch CNC machines to make the best products for you, and for that you may check the machines we mentioned above.
