MEDICAL HEAT TREAT

Inside GKN Powder Metallurgy’s Acquisition of Forecast 3D

Picture two men sitting at a bar table watching a video on a smartphone. As they enthuse about how much they love it, a bystander might be tempted to think they’re just killing time goofing off. “It’s fantastic technology,” the man with the phone, Forecast 3D founder and CEO Corey Weber, says of the Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) process featured in the time-lapse video that shows a Californian facility in the dead of night illuminated only by the passing of a dozen lights flashing over a dozen powder beds through until the morning. As he pulls back his smartphone, he and Guido Degen, GKN Powder Metallurgy’s President of Additive Manufacturing, look pleased with both the technology and themselves.

Corey and Donovan Weber, Forecast 3D, and Guido Degen, GKN

GKN Powder Metallurgy’s acquisition of Forecast 3D appears to be natural synergy. Much of Forecast 3D’s expertise exists in polymer 3D printing, serving the aerospace and medical markets on the West Coast. GKN’s focus is metal parts, the bulk of which is for the automotive market in Central Europe and the Midwest of the United States. When GKN highlighted the contrasting technological expertise that exists in both companies, the figureheads at Forecast were on the same wavelength.

Corey and Donovan Weber, the two brothers who founded Forecast 3D, shown in 2017 at their 3D Manufacturing Facility in Carlsbad, California.

“We knew that the opportunity is much bigger than the size of our pockets,” Weber acknowledges. “We needed resources and our goal was to get someone that shared our vision. We found those with GKN. . . . And, honestly, it’s kind of a relief because now we can really focus on polymers and let them handle metals.”

To read more from the original article, click here: https://www.tctmagazine.com/3d-printing-news/gkn-powder-metallurgy-forecast-acquisition-deal/

 

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Titanium-Copper Alloy May Improve 3D Process for Medical, Aerospace Applications

 

Source: Today’s Medical Developments

 

A new category of high-performance titanium-copper alloys for 3D printing is being considered for medical device, aerospace, and defense applications, and heat-treating may improve the process further.

In a collaborative project, leading researchers from RMIT University, CSIRO, the University of Queensland, and The Ohio State University studied the problem of titanium alloys being prone to cracking or distortion due to cooling and bonding together in column-shaped crystals during the 3D printing process. But a titanium-copper alloy developed by the research team seems to have solved this dilemma.

“Of particular note was its fully equiaxed grain structure,” said Professor Mark Easton from RMIT University’s School of Engineering in Today’s Medical Developments. “This means the crystal grains had grown equally in all directions to form a strong bond, instead of in columns, which can lead to weak points liable to cracking. Alloys with this microstructure can withstand much higher forces and will be much less likely to have defects, such as cracking or distortion, during manufacture.”

More from this Best of the Web:

CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist, Dr. Mark Gibson, says their findings also suggest similar metal systems could be treated in the same way to improve their properties.

“Titanium-copper alloys are one option, particularly if the use of other additional alloying elements or heat treatments can be employed to improve the properties further,” Gibson says. “But there are also a number of other alloying elements that are likely to have similar effects. These could all have applications in the aerospace and biomedical industries.”

 

Read more: “Adding Copper Strengthens 3D-Printed Titanium”

Main photo credit / caption: RMIT University / 3D-printed titanium-copper bars with titanium powder and copper powder.

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Heat Treat Today Launches Live Link to Digital Edition of 2019 Medical/Energy Heat Treat Issue

Heat Treat Today has launched Medical & Energy Heat Treating special edition in print and digital form, the fifth print magazine and the third in a series of industry-specific quarterlies.

The print edition of Medical & Energy Heat Treating entered the mail stream mid-December and landed in the mailboxes of 6,000 medical and energy manufacturing suppliers and OEMs. The digital edition is available by clicking here.

In this special magazine, Heat Treat Today delivers quality content both new and original as well as a round-up of past medical- and energy-related news, technical articles, and tips, including:

  • “Medical Alloys: Their Uses & Heat Treatments” / Diagnostic guidewires, minuscule screws for implants, complex surgical tools operated robotically, and the sophisticated metals and alloys used in their development.
  • Making Superalloys Even More Super for Energy Applications
  • “Heat Treating Melanin for Modern Biotechnology Applications” / Developing an annealing process for eumelanin, an electrically conductive type of melanin.
  • “Temperature Control System Improves Precision, Efficiency on Heat Treat Equipment: A Case Study” / A century-old die-forgings producer’s journey of improving its temperature process control system.
  • “Megatrends with Gary Doyon” / During a wide-ranging conversation, Gary Doyon, president and CEO of the Inductotherm Group, discusses international heat treating megatrends, as well as cybersecurity, immigration, the impact of electric vehicles on the heat treat supply chain, and Brexit.

If you haven’t done so already, you might want to join one of Heat Treat Today’s LindedIn Groups: “Leaders in Medical Heat Treat” and “Leaders in Energy Heat Treat“.  You’ll need to sign in to LinkedIn before you can join the group.

Go here for the digital edition, or go to www.heattreattoday.com and click on the Resources tab to link to the Digital Edition.

 

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NY Med Device Outsourcer Acquires Assets of Maker of Complex Braided Biomedical Structures

A medical device outsource manufacturer based in Clarence, New York, which offers heat treating capabilities, recently announced its purchase of certain assets of a manufacturer of complex braided biomedical structures for disposable and implantable medical devices.

Integer Holdings Corporation’s acquisition of US BioDesign, located in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, will add differentiated capability for complex braided and formed biomedical structures to Integer’s broad portfolio.

Integer president and CEO Joe Dziedzic

Founded in 2011, US BioDesign serves the cardiovascular, neurovascular, and general surgery markets with nitinol, stainless steel, polymer, and other braided structures that are enabling the next generation of structural heart, peripheral vascular, neurovascular and electrophysiology products. They also provide product development, material testing, and post-processing services, including electropolishing and packaging.

“The acquisition of US BioDesign assets will allow us to partner with our customers to enhance patient lives in new ways,” said Integer president and CEO Joe Dziedzic. “US BioDesign has demonstrated engineering prowess in the area of complex braided and formed biomedical structures, which will set us apart from the competition as we partner with customers to develop life-saving medical devices.”

Tom Molz, currently president and CEO of US BioDesign

“We are excited to bring our complex braided biomedical structures and capabilities to the leader in medical device outsource manufacturing,” said Tom Molz, currently president and CEO of US BioDesign. “Our combined capabilities, engineering and innovation will allow us to accelerate our growth while better serving our customers and their patients worldwide.” Molz will continue to cultivate the complex braiding business while reporting to Payman Khales, president of Integer’s cardio and vascular business.

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Special Metals, Alloys Finding New Uses in Medical Device Manufacturing

 

Source: Medical Design Briefs

 

Diagnostic guide wires, minuscule screws for implants, complex surgical tools operated robotically—these are standard devices and equipment in the innovative and technology-rich medical arena, and sophisticated metals and alloys are regularly being used in their development, thanks to continuing advancements in medical technology.

“Titanium has been a consistent performer for a number of years, tantalum is emerging, and copper is re-emerging, while advancements in technology are creating a worldwide demand for a variety of other metals along with new versions of long-established standards. Niobium and nitinol are ideal for use in both internal and external medical applications.”

In this Best of the Web feature, author John Schmidt summarizes the metals industry’s “long history of innovation, development, and processing metals and alloys, in step with medical devices development,” including a quick guide on how these sophisticated materials are giving hope and life through their use in medical treatment.

 

Read more: “Special Metals Make Unparalleled Medical Devices Possible”

Photo caption/credit: A sampling of pacemaker-related components made of a titanium alloy / Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals

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Medical Devices Manufacturer Expands In-House Heat Treating Capabilities

A medical device manufacturer has upgraded its in-house heat treating capabilities with a dual-chamber furnace system, which will give the company the same pyrometry requirement in its medical device production as materials and parts produced for the aerospace and defense industry in terms of furnace/oven calibration, classification and performance requirements.

Richard Conway, DELTA H chief technology officer and founder

Straits Orthopaedics in Penang, Malaysia, commissioned DELTA H TECHNOLOGIES for a second dual-chamber aerospace heat treat (DCAHTTM) furnace system. The furnace system, controls, and software are designed for full compliance to the medical accreditation program “MedAccred” as well as the US FDA’s recent recognition and adoption of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Aerospace Materials Specification 2750 (AMS2750) pyrometry standard.

Mr. TH Su, CEO of Straits Orthopaedics
Mr. TH Su, CEO of Straits Orthopaedics

“Previously medical device pyrometry standards varied somewhat from manufacturer to manufacturer,” said Richard Conway, DELTA H chief technology officer and founder. “With the adoption of the well-established AMS2750 standard, there is a consistent requirement across the industry.  For DELTA H this is an exciting opportunity in a market that now has the same uncompromising demands for performance and accountability which our thermal processing systems are designed for.”

“DELTA H is making great contributions to our heat treating technology which is delighting all our customers,” Mr. TH Su, CEO of Straits Orthopaedics.

 

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Biotech Company Acquires Orthopedic “All-In-One” Kit Manufacturer

A biotech integrated healthcare holding company focusing on patient care acquired a manufacturer of specialty orthopedic surgery products and tools.

Generex Biotechnology Corporation has completed the acquisition of multi-million dollar Pantheon Medical – Foot & Ankle, a manufacturer of an  “all-in-one”, orthopedic integrated kit that includes plates, screws, and tools required for surgeons and podiatrists conducting foot and ankle surgeries.

Travis H. Bird, CEO of Pantheon Medical said, “We have built Pantheon Medical with a commitment to providing our surgeon customers with the highest quality surgical implants and tools in an integrated surgical kit for foot and ankle surgeries. Our standard “All-in-One” kits provide surgeons with an integrated kit of the implants, plates, screws and clips to perform 80% of their surgeries, and the kits can be customized for physician preference, offering convenience and performance at an economic price. We expect that Generex and the NuGenerex MSO will benefit greatly from our partnership and we look forward to bringing our FDA-cleared line of surgical products to the network.”

“We are happy to close the acquisition of Pantheon as we expand our surgical product portfolio that is focused on providing our MSO network with the surgical implants and kits that they routinely utilize in their orthopedic and podiatric practices. Pantheon not only adds immediate revenues and profits to the NuGenerex family of companies, but also brings significant upside opportunities for new FDA-approved product introductions over the next several years,” stated Joe Moscato, CEO of Generex.

Pantheon Medical – Foot & Ankle began operations in 2014 and has manufactured a line of FDA cleared orthopedic products. Over the next three years, the company will be developing and submitting several new product lines to the FDA, which will include cannulated surgical screws, surgical staples, and a proprietary Hammertoe System.

Photo Credit: medicaldevice-network.com

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Precision Medical Instruments Company with Heat Treating Capabilities Acquires Carbide Tool Manufacturer

A precision cutting company that uses heat treating in its manufacture of precision cutting tools, precision machined components and medical implants and instruments recently acquired a manufacturer of customized solid carbide drills, end mills, reamers, thread mills, and form tools.

ARCH Global Precision (ARCH), a Jordan Company platform company based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, has purchased Siem Tool Company. The Latrobe, Pennsylvania, company will join ARCH’s Cutting Tools division.

Jeff Cederstrom, ARCH Global Precision Divisional President of Cutting Tools
Jeff Cederstrom, ARCH Global Precision Divisional President of Cutting Tools

“We are excited to announce the acquisition of Siem Tool, as this acquisition further expands ARCH’s custom cutting tool product offering and deepens our bench of in-house technical application engineers who have a long history of successfully working with end-users to develop custom tooling solutions,” said Jeff Cederstrom, ARCH Global Precision Divisional President of Cutting Tools. “In addition, Siem adds ARCH’s first captive coating center that can be leveraged across the organization, plus Siem’s in-house coating infrastructure can accommodate further expansion in this area. The acquisition of Siem Tool supports our ongoing strategy of creating a market-leading custom tooling provider through the ‘ARCH Specials’ brand and product offering.  Furthermore, Siem brings proprietary carbide edge-prep technical application knowledge for further development of ARCH’s high-performance tooling.”

“I am pleased to announce the sale of Siem Tool to ARCH Global Precision,” said John Siemering, the former owner of Siem Tool. “After careful consideration of several potential acquirers of Siem Tool, the decision to sell the business to ARCH became apparently clear based on the strong cultural alignment between our organizations, ARCH’s commitment to support further growth and long history of successfully executing transactions. I am exceedingly confident that Siem will continue to grow and prosper under ARCH’s leadership.”

 

Main photo credit: ARCH video capture

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Irish Heat Treat Equipment Manufacturer Incorporates EDM Technology

 

Source: Machines4sale.com

 

A design and manufacturing company from southern Ireland recently acquired two pieces of equipment that allow them to better serve the heat treating world.

Ceramicx, a designer and manufacturer of ceramic infrared heating elements and complete turnkey infrared heating systems and ovens for industrial and commercial applications, recently purchased an Excetek wire EDM machine and an EDM hole drill from Warwick Machine Tools.

Ceramicx products and systems serve a number of industries, including medical, automotive, and aerospace. For such customers, they carry out processes requiring the use of controlled “radiant” heat, such as thermoforming, preforming, pressure forming, welding, non-contact drying, spot heating.

Founded by Frank and Gráinne Wilson in 1992, the company now employs 65 individuals.


Frank Wilson, Ceramicx Managing Director/Founder promotes his company's Excetek machines (Source: Ceramicx).
Frank Wilson, managing director/founder of Ceramicx showcases his company’s Excetek machines (Source: Ceramicx).

“We are application focused, so we use a little R and a big D to develop a working solution not just research a potential option.” – Frank Wilson


Read more: “Ceramicx Takes the Heat with Excetek EDM Technology”

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Precision Parts Manufacturer Acquires 2 Suppliers of Medical Device Components

A leading provider of precision parts recently announced the acquisition of two companies, both suppliers of tight tolerance, mission-critical components used in medical device, aerospace, and industrial applications.

MW Industries, headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, which engineers springs, specialty fasteners, bellows, and other precision components has acquired both companies from SW Holdings, LLC: Marox, a manufacturer of machined orthopedic implants, and Sussex Wire, a manufacturer of mini and micro cold-formed parts.

John Bagnuolo, Chief Executive Officer of MW Industries

Located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Marox produces precision machined orthopedic and spinal implants in a variety of complex geometries to leading orthopedic device firms. The company also manufactures components used on robotic surgery devices.

Sussex Wire, located in Easton, Pennsyvania, applies cold-forming and roll-forming manufacturing techniques to shape metal wire and special alloys into highly engineered, precision, micro-miniature components. These components play essential roles in medical device applications.

Both companies offer advanced engineering capabilities, material selection advice, and manufacturing know-how for creative solutions that shorten design cycle times and speed time to market.

“Adding Marox and Sussex Wire to our portfolio of medical solutions companies creates a set of technical capabilities and precision machining capacity that is unmatched in the industry,” explains John Bagnuolo, Chief Executive Officer of MW Industries. “Medical device OEMs and CMOs can rely on MW Industries for innovative, cost-effective solutions to their most complex design challenges.”

 

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