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When working with a contract manufacturer to create a component or assembly that your company will depend on, it is critically important to align on the deliverables, expectations, and timeline. A single misstep in the process or a misunderstanding of design intent can create delays or quality issues that derail a major project. How can […]

Machining in the orthopedic industry is a highly advanced process, with high-precision CNC machines, lasers, new materials, surface-finishing technologies, inspection systems, and sophisticated software. These technologies are essential for creating the orthopedic implants, devices, and instruments we depend on. Business is on the rise among orthopedic device manufacturers, especially for joint replacements and increased funding […]

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OEMs want to reduce their medical device inspection cost and timeline. Contract manufacturing inspection strategies and statistical models can help .

Manually dimensioning drawings can be a better option when working with a contract manufacturer…

Lessons learned in robot-tending coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) translate well to a self-correcting multi-tasking machining process. Stocked with an array of multi-spindle, multi-axis and otherwise multifunctional metalcutting equipment, Lowell Inc. is worth a visit for anyone interested in machining medical devices…

Shifting to automated data analysis for process qualification activities can improve the effort for manufacturers and their customers in several ways. Lowell’s manufacturing team needed to start making a customer’s part on a new machine. The newer mill/turn machine was automated and would save a lot of machining time versus the original milling machine, but […]

First article inspection (FAI) is a necessary step to ensure a manufacturing process will create a medical device that works as designed and meets requirements. It is a near-to-100-percent inspection of the first part that comes off a machine. The data and measurements gathered from FAI become part of the medical device file, which is […]

Medical industry technologies are evolving to serve more surgical and patient needs. People are living longer, with higher expectations for staying active as they age. Surgeons want better devices, instruments, and tools to help them achieve these goals—which in most cases requires state-of-the-art manufacturing and tight-tolerance machining. Machining continues to advance to meet the challenges […]