Laser-Sintering Growing into Key Technology for Medical Industry

Layer manufacturing technologies increasingly play a role in the medical industry due to factors such as the implant industry requiring more and more individual solutions and a market driven by flexibility, cost, and quality – all requirements that layer manufacturing technologies can fulfill. The advantages of these technologies offer: reduced operation time and patient discomfort, freedom of design and functional integration in the development of operational devices and implants, and also reduced lead times.

DePuy Spine is producing multiple new parts using Direct Metal Laser-Sintering (DMLS) technology. DePuy predicts wider use of DMLS-manufactured instruments to be used in operating theaters once the new, hardenable material, EOS StainlessSteel PH1, is commercially launched.

Another use for laser-sintered devices during operations and applications are acetabular cups and knee implants in EOS CobaltChrome MP1. ProtoCast, an Italian company, developed a new manufacturing process for acetabular cups which have already received CE certification.

EOS GmbH
Novi, MI
eos.info