Acrotec, one of the largest European medical contract manufacturers, and AddUp, a global metal additive manufacturing OEM, are partnering and combining their expertise – providing an industrial solution for the Medtech industry. Developing metal 3D printing technology for implants and instruments for surgeons and health professionals.
Thanks to a reduction in cost, due to economies of scale and advancements in technology, and the option for increased personalization, the use of additive manufacturing in the healthcare industry is increasing when compared to traditional manufacturing. Production of the types of geometries that AM enables is also much more flexible, and quicker to materialize, which provides an increase in productivity for medical device manufacturers. As we already know, AM also offers the opportunity to create personalized devices for patients – enabling the transformation of healthcare as we know it.
AddUp FormUp 350
“Players in the medical field have understood all the benefits of metal 3D printing and many implants or instruments are already manufactured using this technology,” said Julien Marcilly, Deputy CEO at AddUp. “As a supplier of metal 3D printers and parts, AddUp chose to partner with an experienced and recognized innovative partner, Acrotec. With Acrotec’s knowledge of the Medtech industry and expertise in precision machining and AddUp’s mastery of the metal 3D printing process, our partnership will offer the best solutions for customers in this demanding market.”
The Acrotec Group, through its Medtech division, focuses on the spine, traumatology, and dental sectors. Acrotec Medtech produces implants and instruments to be used for surgical procedures. Over the years, the group has learned the necessary skills to manufacture precision components and sub-assemblies for medical devices, specifically in the machining and finishing of metal parts. Acrotec Medtech is a trusted industrial partner for the production of spinal and dental implants, as well as many instruments used in surgical procedures.
Manufacturing on Demand
“With AddUp as a partner, we are trying to push metal 3D printing technology to its limits in terms of part sizes and associated material health. The quality of AddUp’s printing systems, as well as the expertise and motivation of the teams, have allowed us to move forward in an open and efficient way in this initiative,” said François Billig, CEO of the Acrotec Group. “We are confident that through our partnership, Acrotec can now develop and utilize this technology with its customers in the Medtech sector.
AddUp has been working in close collaboration with customers in the Medtech industry to develop and manufacture a wide variety of implants (such cranial implants, knee prostheses, hip prostheses, shoulder prostheses, etc.) and instruments for surgeons and health professionals.
These high-precision tools have to meet strict manufacturing standards that AddUp’s customers, which have been active in the medical field for several years, are used to. In addition to this, among the many materials available on its FormUp 350 machines, AddUp offers recipes for shaping ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) titanium. This grade of titanium is most commonly used by manufacturers of surgical implants and prostheses. In addition to its biocompatibility, ELI titanium is non-magnetic and has well-suited mechanical characteristics.
The partnership between Acrotec and AddUp will enable the development of additive and industrial solutions dedicated to the constantly evolving medical sector.
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Author: Edward Wakefield
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