In medical manufacturing, complexity is the norm. With the addition of difficult-to-machine metals into the mix, the situation becomes even more challenging for a metalworking shop. Conventional processes may not be capable of meeting the rigorous specifications and providing the exacting results. The response by technology creates the potential for even small machine shops to tackle such precise components. The answer to carving out a niche in the medical instrument industry, lies with electrical discharge machining (EDM), more specifically with wire EDM.
Types of EDM
The EDM process is non-conventional. In this metal machining process, a tool discharges countless amounts of electric sparks to a metal workpiece. For this to work, the components must be electrically conductive. Common metals in use that respond well to EDM are non-ferrous and include:
* Brass
* Steel
* Super alloys
* Titanium
The two major EDM processes available to work in this fashion are:
* Conventional EDM: Uses the tool to disperse the electric charge
* Wire EDM: The tool is a thin piece of wire
In both instances, the result is finely executed, very precise shapes formerly very or even too difficult to cut.
Wire EDM: Highly Precise and
Since its invention, the use of this process has improved the capabilities of machine shops and other metal workers to carve out intricate shapes with ease and rapidity. In the medical field, the process is suitable for producing medical devices including:
* Elbow implants
* Heart stents
* Hip implants
* Knee implants
* Shoulder implants
It is also capable of producing the various miniature tools robots require for assisting surgeons during what is called “keyhole” surgery.
It can accomplish this by using the thin wire to slice kerfs as wide as three inches with tremendous accuracy producing replicable and precise 3D cuts, dies, punches and stripper plates. Utilizing CNC provides wire EDM with high accuracy, producing tight corners and intricate patterns that satisfy the needs of the medical instrument industry and more.