4 Reasons Medtech Outsourcers Should Consider Cold Forming

This article covers the economic, strength, yield, and speed-to-market advantages of cold-formed components, especially compared with the capabilities of screw machining. The objective will be to provide potential new product design (NPD) engineers in outsource manufacturing environments an objective comparison from which to make informed decisions on micro-miniature component sourcing. NPD engineers rely heavily on design and manufacturing techniques learned through education, repeated application, and empirical success. Many alternate techniques are often approached with caution, particularly in medical and healthcare product applications where a known solution is proven and approved. In spite of its relatively low visibility, cold forming is a time-tested manufacturing technique that is not well understood. It therefore is not being utilized fully to increase yield, reduce cost and waste, and improve quality. Cold forming is not a new technology for manufacturing micro-precision components, yet it is still not well known or understood because of a widespread lack of related course work in engineering schools. NPD engineers are well advised to explore cold forming’s strengths and limitations early in the design process—or at an appropriate project review stage—and to engage in a consultative relationship with the component design and manufacturing firm to collaborate on modifications that may well improve the...
Source: MDDI - Category: Medical Devices Authors: Tags: Contract Manufacturing Source Type: news