Ferra Group have a rich history in serving the medical devices industry, ranging back to the 1990s. Our guiding principle has been to ensure exceptionally high standards of service, recognizing that each customer has individual needs. In the medical sector, Ferra has acted not only as a producer but also as a manufacturing consultant, partnering and assisting in the design of parts.
Our capabilities in medical device production include new product development and launch, supplier selection and qualification, microbiology support and mechanical assembly. Products include orthopedic traumatology devices, spinal and neuro surgery, implant tools, and dental devices; and are backed up by manufacturing processes led by the highest skilled technicians and certified quality systems.
Previous customer work included a major development project to provide a successor to a highly successful Specimen Tube Management System, a high value complex robotic instrument that automatically identifies, splits and sorts pathology specimen tubes into analyzer racks or storage racks. The supplier partnership enabled Ferra and the design engineers to work together in the design and selection of critical components and materials that are so important for world class manufacture, product reliability and cost reduction. Precision components manufactured for the range of products included high grade stainless steels, aluminum and a range of plastics. All parts were subject to rigorous inspection by Ferra and supplied on a Kan Ban basis just in time for the customer’s production schedule.
Ferra also worked with a client who had identified a design requirement on current market cranio-maxillofacial implant plates. The concept was to address flaws and improve performance in existing designs in the areas of :
- Stress shielding
- Skin Erosion
- Possibility of corrosion
- Inadequate fixation
- A more efficient screwdriver to perform ‘one step’ insertion
- Some biodegradable material types lacked appropriate strength, toughness and others would degrade too quickly, causing tissue reactions or took too long to degrade.
By identifying the problems, the concept entered the New Product Development (NPD) phase. This led to a close relationship with Ferra – to provide full support, flexibility and an understanding – to guide the customer through the design concept for manufacturability, without compromising its true functional design. Prototypes were tested and methods pioneered in machining fine titanium sheets leaving all edges smooth and rounded. On such fine work, careful planning from CAD/CAM was fundamental for economical production of prototypes and future production runs; to maintain quality and consistent repeatability and to streamline product ready time for market launch by customer.
