Top Tool

Posted by Duane Kari, Sales Manager

"Micro component solutions don't always arrive gift-wrapped." It's a topic that's sure to come up in the Top Tool booth at MD&M West in Anaheim Feb. 14-15.

Finding the most accurate, cost-efficient way to make complex micro parts for medical OEMs routinely tests the limits of precision manufacturing. Especially with specifications like micron-level dimensions, complex geometries, ultra-tight tolerances and exotic materials. That’s why risk-taking – and risk management – also must be routine.

As a contract micro stamping manufacturer with more than 25 years of experience supporting medical device makers, we always look forward to talking shop at the MD&M conferences. Especially when the conversation gets around to R&D-stage challenges that include the need for specialized experience designing, engineering and manufacturing intricate and complex micro parts. We always leave MD&M shows with new insights from great conversations with designers, engineers and strategic sourcing specialists.

Risk is a common factor when you need to solve manufacturability challenges that come with features as small as 1/10th of a millimeter. Or tolerances down to 1.5 microns. On critical components stamped from platinum. Top Tool understands how to work at the development stage. Our medical device experience includes developing micro manufacturing solutions for:

- Neuro-stimulation
- Deep brain stimulation
- Dental implants, systems
- Hearing aids
- Diabetes monitoring
- Cardiovascular stimulation
- Cardiac pacing, defibrillation
- Anastomosis
- Sleep apnea
- Blood filtration
- Laboratory filtration

FDA regulation and manufacturing validation is another frequent MD&M topic for medical device manufacturers who need to push the limits of micro component design and engineering while complying with stringent requirements. With a long history in the highly regulated medical device industry, we understand how to work with specialty materials and properties that drive innovation. This includes experience in the unique characteristics of thin materials (down to .0005in.) ranging from gold, silver and platinum to Nitinol, Titanium and MP35N.

Micro-level complexity points toward high-end precision stamping to streamline, simplify, reduce cost and enable the highest-possible quality. This can be especially true within medical device development and manufacturing, where materials and manufacturing account for at least one-third of an OEM’s cost to move a product from concept to selection by a physician. Our tested and proven R&D capability includes programs and systems critical to aligning product development with cost-saving “design for manufacturability.”

(Give us your thoughts by clicking on “Comments” in the blue bar below.)