Medical & Healthcare

TRIBOS polygonal clamping technology has been setting standards in high-precision micromachining for many years. Numerous companies in medical and dental technology, watchmaking and jewelry, as well as moldmaking and optical engineering have put their confidence in SCHUNK's patented toolholding system. Due to the high demand, SCHUNK has further expanded the line of precision toolholders.

As automation becomes more flexible and less expensive, work cells are propagating at smaller shops.

A growing number of manufacturers in the medical industry are seeing the light when choosing a machining option for micro parts and features. The light they're seeing emanates from laser micromachining systems.

Manufacturing microscale endmills and drills requires ultraprecise machinery and specialty grinding wheels—never mind extreme skill, the right carbide grade and abundant patience. Thankfully, a number of toolmakers have become proficient at this microscopic task, leaving shops to worry about just one thing: making parts.

Three primary elements play a heightened role when machining molds for plastic injection molding of microparts compared to moldmaking for the macro realm: part size, feature size and dimensional tolerances.

Are you being asked to quote secondary machining operations on a handful of 3D-printed metal parts? If so, how do you cut these parts?

Synova, a manufacturer of high-precision laser cutting systems, has relocated its North American Micro-Machining Center (MMC) operations to Secaucus, N.J. The MMC offers laser machining services such as application trials, single and recurring cutting jobs and machine demonstrations.

Mitsui Seiki USA Inc. in April announced that Scott Walker, long-time president, has accepted the position of chairman; Robb Hudson, former business and technology director, has been named chief executive officer; and William "Bill" Malanche, former executive vice president, has been appointed chief operating officer.

PhotoMachining, Inc. and LightFab GmbH announced a collaborative effort to promote selective laser etching using femtosecond lasers in the U.S. market.

One of the oldest die casters in the US, New Products Corporation, turned 95 on April 22. Founded in Benton Harbor, Mich., in 1922, the company is a global supplier of custom, precision die cast aluminum and zinc parts for applications in industries including automotive, military, industrial equipment, medical instruments, appliances, transportation, and furniture.

SMAC Moving Coil Actuators introduces the LCA6. At 6mm wide, SMAC Moving Coil Actuators claims that the LCA6 is the thinnest linear moving coil in the world.

Makino introduces SGI.5, its latest version of Super Geometric Intelligence software for high-feed rate, tight-tolerance machining of complex 3D contoured shapes. Depending upon the specific geometry of the application, SGI.5 can provide 20 to 60 percent faster cycle times while maintaining accuracy and surface finishes.