Medical Biopsy Forceps, Graspers and Instrument Handles Are Ideal Candidates For Bridge To MIM Starting With 3D Binder-Jet Metal Printing Prototypes.
Center City, Minnesota: Medical designers are looking for streamlined processes and to reduce time-to-market and are now able to verify a product before committing to expensive mold design and building. Smith Metal Products advanced 3D Binder-Jet Metal Printing additive production system is cost-effective alternative to building test molds or CNC machining prototype parts.
Smith Metal Products quick-turn 3D Binder-Jet Metal Printing provides customers the ability to evaluate, modify and verify their product/components utilizing a MIM-like process. Designers can see, touch and evaluate prototype MIM-like parts comparable to Metal Injection Molded parts in as little as 1-2 weeks. Available part materials for Smith’s 3-D Binder-Jet Printing include stainless steel and other alloys upon request.
Once a design is finalized and approved for production, Smith Metal Products Metal Injection Molding is often a preferred process to achieve small precision medical device components. That’s because MIM parts are pre¬cise, net-shaped and can be produced faster than machining and usually with no secondary operations. If a high tolerance needs to be held and cannot be entirely MIM molded, Smith uses CNC machining equipment to achieve tighter specifications while still being more competitive than complete machining of parts.
The MIM process is suitable for components with complicated geometries in annual volumes of 10,000 pieces or more and a finished part weight of less than 100g (3.5 oz). All dimensions of the component should be 3 inches or less, and the maximum wall thickness should be 3 mm (0.125 in.) or less.
Smith Metal Products operates a state-of-the art 65,000 square foot facility that is ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certified. Other accreditations include ITAR and Federal Firearms License (FFL).
The company’s controlled documentation system assures customers of consistent set-up and repeatability on every production run. For information about MIM medical device components, call 651-257-3143 or fill out the form below.