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The article shown below was featured in the Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine.
This was an interview with several leading product manufacturers, job shop and machine tool people.
Mike's comments have been extracted and shown here.
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Changes Give a New Shape to
Machining
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In today's machining arena, medical device firms are reaping
a range of benefits, from lower prices to higher-quality parts.
By William Leventon
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If you look in the dictionary, you'll find that the definition of machining -"to cut, shape, or finish by machine"- hasn't changed. But that can't be said for much else about the subject. In recent years, machining materials, equipment, processes, and related services have all changed in important ways.
The changes were made to satisfy the constant demand for better and smaller products, faster turnaround times, and more contract services. In addition, machining firms have been forced to change in order to keep up with tough competitors both in the United States and abroad. Taken together, the changes are a boon for medical device firms that want more for their machining dollar.
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A Role For Ceramics
New plastic formulations can also replace metals in many
medical devices. Mike Kartsonis, president of Dynamic Fabrication Inc. (Santa Ana, CA), a contract machining firm, says
plastics are "getting stronger and lasting longer." Compared with
metal, plastics "cut like butter," he says. "When you're cutting
a hole in plastic, you can have the drill going three times as fast
as it goes when you're drilling stainless [steel]." In addition, he
says, plastics are less expensive than metals and may last as long.
Machine Evolution
Whatever the material, new equipment can machine it into
parts faster than ever. "Five years ago, it might have taken 30
seconds to drill a hole in a piece of titanium," Kartsonis says. "Now, with high-speed spindles, it takes half that time." |
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| A finished part measuring 0.3 x O.5 x O.5 in., with three 0.013-
in.-diam holes and two 0.030-in.-diam holes. |
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A Changing Industry
The question was asked about the now common practice of companies shipping their precision machining to Mexico and China, to take advantage of the cheaper source of labor. It was also stated that perhaps the more complex, high-end parts will stay here.
But for how long? Foreign operations "don't have high-end
tooling and automation technology yet," Kartsonis says, "but
they're gaining all the time." In fact, he adds, U.S. firms are
transferring machining expertise to plants they're operating in
other countries.
Proximity to a contractor can also reduce turnaround time.
If customers need something quickly, Kartsonis says, "we can
get it done because we're right in their backyard."
Conclusion
In recent years, change has come to virtually every aspect of
machining. Materials, equipment, and processes have improved
to satisfy demanding medical device firms. In addition, contract
manufacturing companies are offering new services and special
deals in an effort to survive in an intensely competitive industry. As a result, their customers are getting more for less, and
getting it faster than ever before. Says Kartsonis, "That's what
everybody expects now."
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