Milling machine tool specialist - Mikron - part of AgieCharmilles GF has recently launched three 5-axis machining centres into the UK market. The machines - the UCP 600 Vario ProdMed; the HSM 400U ProdMed and the HSM 400U ProdMed Dental - as their names suggest - are all aimed at the rapidly- growing medical sector and, in particular, at precision engineering companies specifically involved in the manufacture of medical devices (surgical and general instruments) and implants (dental and orthopaedic, etc). The medical sector is buoyant.

Increased life expectancy and the phenomenon of ageing populations (developed countries) - coupled with the rapid advances made in, and concomitant rise in demand for, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and treatments - have created significant business opportunities for precision component manufacturers operating in the sector.

However, the sector is highly competitive - and, because medical components (implants), etc - are bespoke and are required in small batches (often one-offs) as well as being manufactured from tough materials - titanium, stainless etc - conventional machining technologies are often not up to the job.

The three machining centres span both High-Speed (HSM) and High Performance (HPM) milling technologies - and the machines provide users with the best of all worlds - increased productivity via automation, greater manufacturing flexibility, improved process reliability, high accuracy, optimised removal rates and excellent surface finish.

Here are some of the main highlights of the MedTech range of machines.

* Automation - on all ProdMed machines - integrated and high capacity tool changers (up to 220 position) and workpiece pallet changers (up to 48 pallets) ensure maximum productivity for low-to-medium volume production runs (characteristic of precision medical component manufacturing).

Such automated ATC and APC capability and capacity help manufacturers increase work throughput by reducing time spent on job setups and increase machine utilisation via unattended operations - resulting in reduced lead times and improved cost competitiveness.

Five-axis machining technology - the machines' 5-axis capabilities too (enabling 5-face and/or simultaneous 5-axis and one-hit machining) - clearly also helps speed up production - and ensures greater precision and better finish by shortening part cycle times and reducing time and resources spent on setting up, fixturing, etc - all critical in making customised part manufacture economically viable.

* Spindle technology - irrespective of whether high, accurate material removal or fine finishing is required - the ProdMed machines with their StepTec high-performance, vector-driven HSK spindles (ProdMed Vario 20,000 rev/min and both 400Us at 60,000 rev/min) - can be relied upon to deliver.

The choice of spindle when manufacturing medical components is critical.

Workpiece materials - exotic alloys, titanium, aluminium, high chrome steels - are all difficult to machine.

The medical applications themselves and whether the requirement is for high material removal or super (polished) surface finishes or both - all mean that spindle speeds need to be optimised to the workpiece material and components in question.

The new MedTech machines, through their standard specification and options enable such optimisation to occur.

* Lubrication - ensuring that medical components are ultra clean is clearly of critical importance.

Depending on the materials to be machined and the application itself - customers have a choice of lubricant and lubricant delivery systems on the MedTech machines - water or oil-based.

* Swarf management - because of their integrated automation (ATC and APC) - the MedTech machines can run unattended - including 'lights-out', weekends etc However, to ensure that these productivity gains can be realised and to avoid problems such as workpiece and/or cutting tool damage due to poor chip evacuation and part contamination - the machines are equipped with sophisticated swarf management and chip removal systems.

* SMART technology - the MedTech machines are supplied with Mikron SMART technology software to optimise machining and ensure improved process reliability - by enable the user to make decisive interventions in the machining process in 'real time'.

Said Mikron product specialist, Steve Burrows: 'The new MedTech machines have created huge interest in the medical sector - and to date we have already taken significant orders from a number of first tier medical manufacturers'.