Non-contact blue light technology collects millions of accurate 3D coordinate points per quick scan, and the system includes a motorized rotary table; a PC for rapid 3D data processing; and software for 3D scanning, inspection, and automation.
GOM’s ScanCobot mobile automated 3D scanning system integrates its ATOS Q and ATOS Core blue light 3D scanners. The systems and intelligent software allow users to create efficient automation routines for precise, accurate, and repeatable measurement results without robotics programming knowledge.
Non-contact blue light technology collects millions of accurate 3D coordinate points per quick scan, and the system includes a motorized rotary table; a PC for rapid 3D data processing; and software for 3D scanning, inspection, and automation.
Users program the ScanCobot in GOM Inspect software’s virtual measuring room (VMR). VMR’s central control and measurement planning represents the complete measuring procedure. In the software, CAD data of the inspected part is imported with the associated measurement plan. Sensor positions and robot paths are computed automatically.
Automated teaching allows the user to work with the system without robot programming skills. If the Kiosk Interface is activated, parts can be measured quickly using existing project templates, without making adjustments. As the user can no longer change measuring programs and evaluations, process reliability is enhanced.
With the ability to automatically inspect and digitize parts weighing up to 50kg, GOM ScanCobot provides efficient quality control of small to medium-sized parts.
As part of the G-series, the G150 features a rigid 5-axis horizontal design and can invert the table and machine upside down for optimal chip evacuation. It features direct and absolute position encoders in all axes, maximizing 5-axis accuracy for complex components. Three linear and two rotary axes permit 5-sided machining and 5-axis simultaneous interpolation. The axis arrangement permits overhead machining, offering optimum accessibility to the part.
The drive uses two symmetrically arranged ball screws and a weight compensation function in the Y-axis. Torque motors in the A- and B-axis ensure dynamic, wear-free machining.
The three linear axes minimize distance between the guides and the machining point (TCP), lending stability and permitting a 230° swivel range in the A-axis.
Its ergonomic design allows for automation integration and easy access to the work area. New additions to the modular options system are the HSK E40 spindle with up to 42,000rpm and a compact table with central clamping.
The MC377 Advance, with protective chamfer, corner radii, and center cutting edge, can be used for chrome-nickel and steel materials, as well as titanium. The cutter is suitable for products with 2mm to 25mm diameters, making them ideal for small parts manufacturers in the medical technology sector. Its Walter high-performance WK40EA grade and tough AICrN coating extend tool life while lowering inventory costs.
The MD377 Supreme solid carbide milling cutter has a corner radius and central internal coolant engineered for titanium machining. Its HPC Ti40 geometry is optimized for titanium cutting, with five cutting edges offering high metal removal rate and AlTiN+ZrN coating with HIPIMS technology for maximum tool life. Ideal for dynamic milling, it’s suitable for roughing, shoulder milling, finishing, and semi-finishing, with ramping possible, and full slotting up to 1 x Dc.
Zeiss Visioner 1’s Micro-mirror Array Lens System (MALS) enables all-in-one focus in real-time. An extended depth of field allows users to see the sample in focus without combining different focal planes from a series of images or post-process them, simplifying imaging and documentation while accelerating throughput.
MALS, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS), uses a complex of 100µm x 100µm mirrors that can be individually adjusted to generate virtual lenses with different curvatures and focusing planes, allowing sharp imaging of any point on the sample. This results in 100x greater extended depth of field than conventional digital microscopes and provides the ability to optically inspect for height differences up to 69mm without moving the optical system or refocusing the sample. 3D information of the sample is visible immediately, enabling faster and more reliable inspection while the system delivers ergonomic operation and fast visualization and documentation.
I believe in science, medical research, and technology that delivers advanced healthcare to battle or beat disease. That’s why when I began covering medical device manufacturing and technologies in the ’90s, I so hoped something – medical or biotech – would be developed to help my father. At that time, he had beaten prostate cancer, was suffering the effects of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, and then had a heart attack (the day my younger sister graduated from Kent State University).
Many of the medical advancements I was covering at the start of my career could have helped my father but were only in the research and development (R&D) or clinical trial stages. Today, many are available, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), which relieves some Parkinson’s symptoms including tremor, stiffness, slowed movement, freezing of gait, and dyskinesia (abnormality or impairment of voluntary movement).
Even though my father didn’t benefit from these technologies, medical advancements aren’t slowing down, and I would venture to guess that every subscriber of Today’s Medical Developments has at least one story of how life-saving medical developments helped them or someone they love. My mother had arthroplasty on both knees, allowing her to get back to a pain-free life. Not too long ago, a friend had a hip replacement enabling her to participate in family activities as simple as walking and bicycling. A cousin has gained more control over his diabetes since switching to an insulin pump.
While total knee replacements aren’t new, incremental improvements in materials and designs have raised the expected longevity of these implants so patients are eligible long before the original suggested age of 65. Decades of R&D continue to advance medical technology, and it’s precisely why the U.S. now has three vaccines to protect people from COVID-19. To deliver effective, precise, and consistent vaccines, it’s also imperative to use good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliant equipment, facilities, and procedures – think automating manufacturing equipment from production through packaging, seamless integration of cloud-based IT systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital twins of plants to instantly view operations so every step can be optimized and scrutinized. And, if there’s a manufacturing or quality concern, it can be caught quickly (as was the case with Emergent BioSolutions issues manufacturing Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine) and corrected.
I haven’t been able to celebrate Father’s Day with my dad since 2007. This year more than a half-dozen of my friends will face the same type of Father’s Day I do; only it’s because they all lost their fathers to COVID-19. I am hopeful that as more people roll up their sleeves to get the shot (and continue to wear masks, where appropriate) the country and the world can get on a path out of this pandemic – all thanks to the years of R&D and manufacturing technologies implemented at record speed.
Current medical manufacturing technology
Departments - Products + Technology
Grinding machine; Performance material 3D printer; Mini jet washer
GrindSmart Nano5 can manufacture medical, dental, and industrial cutting tools with diameters as large as 6.35mm (0.25") in high-speed steel, stainless steel, or carbide. With five fully interpolating CNC axes and a pick-and-place automatic tool loader, the grinding center is suitable for short and long production runs.
Additional tool geometries for dental tools and industrial cutting tools are included in the expanded VirtualGrindPro design software, along with an updated simulator offering faster, more accurate renderings of 3D images.
GrindSmart Nano5 manufactures dental and laboratory burs/drills, end mills, Lindemann cutters, rotary files, and endodontic reamers, and can be used in custom grinding applications.
The Stratasys Origin One 3D printer uses proprietary P3 technology to produce parts in a range of high-performance materials with accuracy and repeatability – part dimensions up to 192mm x 108mm x 370mm and print details less than 50µm.
Stratasys acquired Origin in December 2020 and the Stratasys Origin One is the first 3D printer resulting from the acquisition. An update of the Origin One, it includes a larger build envelope plus software and hardware workflow upgrades for ease of serviceability, higher performance, and higher use. Software upgrades will be available to the existing installed base via a cloud-delivered update when the Origin One begins shipping, currently planned for Q4 2021.
Fully certified third-party materials at launch will include 10 industrial resins, including high temperature, tough, elastomer, general purpose, and medical-grade materials. A dental version will be introduced later this year.
The Cell-U-Clean Mini Jet’s small spray cabinet provides an energy efficient, reliable solution for high-volume cleaning. The wash and blow-off machine with a 5.0ft x 8.0ft x 7.6ft footprint has a 60 sec/cycle part production rate and a variable-speed table drive.
The Mini Jet is for small and large parts where floor space comes at a premium. Designed as a high-capacity solution with low energy needs, the rotary hideaway door eliminates the extra floor space required for the door swing while ensuring a dry floor when loading and unloading. Constructed of stainless steel, it comes with a robot loading option and a standard 3-2-1 warranty.
Dymax, Intrepid Automation combine efforts for automated 3DP
Intrepid Automation and Dymax are working together to bring 3D printing (3DP) to market faster. Along with the reliability and consistent post-cure capability of Dymax light-curing systems, Intrepid and Dymax will create digital manufacturing solutions that will include Intrepid’s post-processing chambers using BlueWave AX-550 LED flood-curing systems to ensure uniform curing of 3DP parts.
Tim Sasur, Dymax product development director says, “Any time a cutting-edge customer such as Intrepid validates that our new product helps them solve manufacturing challenges, it’s a great success story for both companies.”
Together, the companies will develop customized and integrated controls for 3DP, supply customers more quickly, and assist businesses through their entire manufacturing journey.
Nanofabrica’s Tera 250 Micro AM technology’s process change overcomes issues from relying on legacy technologies to manufacture smaller parts while retaining sub-micron tolerances.
The company recently modeled a 925µm long DNA helix that includes tiny features which would be either impossible to manufacture via micro molding or would require expensive micro tools.
With the Tera 250, companies requiring miniature plastic parts and components can efficiently and cost-effectively shift to additive manufacturing (AM).
Ohio-based Tangible Solutions expanded its medical additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities, adding three small-platform machines and a large-format printer to bring the company’s total to eight small-platform machines for precision titanium orthopedic medical devices.
With three Tangible large- format machines, the company can produce parts up to 9.8" x 9.8" x 13.8" (250mm x 250mm x 350mm).
“Large-format printers allow our customers to take full advantage of larger additive device design and achieve higher-volume objectives such as weight reduction and improved mechanical properties with a high-productivity system,” says Adam Clark, Tangible Solutions CEO. “By increasing our inventory of small platform and large-format 3D printers, we are scaling up our cutting-edge equipment to further support our customers’ medical device manufacturing needs.”
Posted by Elizabeth Engler Modic
