Key applications and processing advantages of mechanical turned parts for the medical sector

With the rapid development of minimally invasive surgery and personalized medicine, medical parts are evolving towards smaller, more precise and more complex directions. With its unique advantages of "high precision + high flexibility", precision turning technology has successfully overcome the processing difficulties from φ0.3mm micro-holes to complex curved surface contours. This natural combination with the geometric characteristics of medical parts has enabled precision turning parts in the medical industry to continue to expand their application in high-end medical fields such as artificial joints and surgical robots. This article will introduce in detail the key applications and turning processing advantages of precision turning parts in the medical industry.

1. Application fields of mechanical turned parts for the medical sector

Mechanical turned parts for the medical sector play a key role in practical applications. Their application fields and parts functions can be systematically summarized as follows:

(1) Orthopedic implants

1)Artificial joints (hip joints, knee joint components):

Realize the load-bearing and movement functions of human joints and restore patients' mobility

2)Bone screws, bone plates and spinal fixation devices:

Provide stable fracture fixation, promote bone healing and spinal stability

3)Dental implants and prostheses:

Replace missing tooth roots, restore chewing function and aesthetic effects

(2) Surgical instruments

1)Minimally invasive surgical tools and endoscopic components:

Establish minimally invasive surgical channels to achieve precise in vivo operations and observations

2)Orthopedic surgical drills and reamers:

Precisely prepare bone tissue to create ideal implantation space for implants

3)Various precision surgical forceps and Scissors:

Complete delicate tissue clamping, separation and cutting operations

(3) Cardiovascular equipment

1)Pacemaker housing and connectors:

Protect precision electronic components and ensure long-term stable electrical signal transmission

2)Supporting structure of vascular stents:

Maintain vascular patency and improve blood circulation

3)Artificial heart valve frame:

Replace diseased valves and maintain normal cardiac hemodynamics

(4) Diagnostic equipment components

1)Precision rotating parts of medical imaging equipment:

Ensure stable operation of the imaging system and obtain clear images

2)Fluid control components of laboratory analytical instruments:

Precisely transport trace liquid samples to ensure detection accuracy

3)Various sensor housings and connectors:

Protect sensitive components and achieve reliable signal acquisition and transmission

2. Processing advantages of mechanical turned parts for the medical sector: Why are these parts suitable for turning?

(1) Matching turning advantages and medical parts geometric characteristics

1) Structural characteristics advantages:

More than 80% of medical parts have rotational symmetry

Turning can efficiently complete the processing of typical features such as external circles, cones, and threads

Complex contours can be achieved through multi-axis linkage turning centers

2) Typical processing cases:

Dental implant thread processing: using precision thread turning tools, pitch accuracy ±0.005mm

Artificial joint spherical surface processing: using R-shaped turning tools, spherical surface contour ≤2μm

Micro-inner hole processing: the minimum processable φ0.1mm inner hole (special tools required)

3) Turning process advantages:

Multiple feature processing can be completed in one clamping

Processing efficiency is significantly higher than grinding and other processes

More suitable for small and medium-sized batch flexible production

(2) Material adaptability

Medical parts are usually made of titanium alloys, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium alloys and other materials. Although these materials are difficult to process, turning can effectively improve processing efficiency and reduce tool wear by optimizing tools and cutting parameters. Solutions for difficult-to-process materials:

1) Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V):

Use 20-50m/min low-speed cutting

Coordinate with >70bar high-pressure cooling

Use sharp rake angle (≥15°) tools

Special material processing parameters:

2) Cobalt-chromium alloy (CoCrMo):

Cutting speed 50-80m/min

Use PCBN or diamond tools

Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) cooling method

3) Material property guarantee:

Effectively control cutting heat (<150℃)

Avoid material phase change ( Such as titanium alloy β phase precipitation)

Reduce the work hardening layer (＜5μm)

(3) Balance between precision and efficiency

1) Precision guarantee measures:

Use high-rigidity machine tools (static stiffness ≥100N/μm)

Use air static pressure spindle (radial runout ≤0.2μm)

Equipped with online measurement system (resolution 0.1μm)

2) Efficiency optimization plan:

Swiss lathe processing of small parts:

Can complete 30-50 parts per minute

Single-piece processing time ＜2 minutes

Automatic loading and unloading system:

Achieve 24-hour continuous Continuous production

Changeover time < 5 minutes

3) Typical cases:

Mass production of bone screws:

Precision level IT6

Daily output can reach 5,000 pieces

Comprehensive qualified rate ≥ 99.5%

(4) Controllable surface quality

1) Mirror turning technology:

●Use single crystal diamond tool:

Tip arc radius 0.05-0.1mm

Rake angle 0°-5°, back angle 5°-7°

●Process parameters:

Cutting speed 200-500m/min

Feed rate 0.01-0.03mm/rev

Cutting depth 0.0 05-0.02mm

2) Surface integrity control:

●Surface roughness:

Conventional turning Ra0.4-0.8μm

Precision turning Ra0.1-0.2μm

Mirror turning Ra≤0.05μm

●Surface defect control:

No micro cracks

Residual stress <50MPa

Work hardening layer <2μm

(5) Subsequent process optimization:

Turning can provide lower surface roughness and reduce the workload of subsequent polishing and surface treatment, which is crucial for medical implants and surgical instruments.

1) Reduce polishing process:

After turning, it can directly meet the use requirements, and parts with extremely high requirements will be processed separately.

Save 30-50% processing time.

2) Improve coating adhesion:

The turning surface is more conducive to PVD coating bonding

The coating bonding strength is increased by more than 20%

3. Conclusion

The core value of mechanical turned parts for the medical sector lies in "precision + biocompatibility":

Reasons for suitable turning: rotating body dominated, special materials, and strict precision.

The core characteristics of turning: high precision, controllable surface, and flexible production.

The future trend will be towards ultra-precision turning (nanoscale) and intelligent process chains to meet personalized medical needs.

4. Summary

In summary, the reason why mechanical turned parts for the medical sector are widely used is not only due to their high adaptability to the geometric features of parts, but also due to their excellent processing performance. From joint parts with micron-level precision to surgical instruments with complex contours, the turning process continues to provide solid guarantees for the safety and reliability of medical equipment with stable processing quality and efficient manufacturing capabilities.