Applications of CNC machines in the medical industry

If you're like me and fascinated by the precision technology behind medical devices, you know that CNC machines play a crucial role in this industry.

From high-precision implants to customized prosthetics, CNC machines are revolutionizing manufacturing in the entire medical field.

Today, let’s take a closer look at the applications, advantages, and even the future innovations of CNC machines in the medical industry. We'll explore how these machines help us create more precise and safe medical instruments.

Ⅰ. Why Are CNC Machines So Important in the Medical Industry?

It’s no exaggeration to say that many innovations in the medical industry wouldn't be possible without CNC machines. Why is that? Simply put, it’s their precision, flexibility, and automation capabilities that are essential for modern medical devices.

CNC machines ensure that every medical part meets regulatory standards and avoids human error. For example, when manufacturing prosthetics, the patient’s body condition and needs are often unique. CNC machines’ high adjustability allows these prosthetics to perfectly fit the patient, offering both comfort and functionality.

Additionally, CNC machines can complete large-scale production tasks efficiently and automatically, reducing production costs and increasing output. After all, the demand for medical devices from patients and doctors is immense, and manufacturers can meet these demands thanks to the flexibility and precision of CNC machines.

Ⅱ. How Are CNC Machines Used in the Medical Industry?

The application of CNC machines in the medical industry is more complex and widespread than you might think. Let me share some of the most common scenarios.

Surgical Instruments:

 Common surgical tools such as scalpels, forceps, and scissors require ultra-high precision. CNC machines are perfect for this task. Through precise milling and cutting, these machines ensure each tool's sharpness and durability, helping surgeons perform procedures smoothly.

Orthopedic Implants: 

Whether it’s knee replacement, hip implants, or spinal implants, CNC machines can manufacture each part with precise accuracy. Customized orthopedic implants are tailored to the patient’s body shape and requirements, reducing surgical risks and improving recovery rates.

Prosthetics and Assistive Devices: 

Whether it's upper or lower limb prosthetics, CNC machines play an indispensable role. By precisely controlling the cutting paths, CNC machines create prosthetics that perfectly match each patient’s body condition, ensuring both comfort and functionality.

Dental Equipment:

Have you ever seen dental implants that left a strong impression on you at the dentist's office? CNC machines can process high-precision dental crowns, bridges, and dentures. Even for complex shapes, CNC machines ensure these devices fit precisely to the patient’s oral structure.

Ⅲ. How to Choose a High-Precision CNC Machine?

At this point, you might be wondering: "If I want to invest in a CNC machine for manufacturing medical devices, how do I choose the right model?"

Five-axis Machining

Five-axis CNC machines can control the movement of five axes simultaneously, making them ideal for machining complex angles and surfaces. Compared to three-axis machines, they reduce the number of workpiece repositioning steps, improving machining accuracy and efficiency. For high-precision, customized medical devices such as orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, and dental equipment, five-axis machining ensures accurate parts and excellent compatibility.

Applicable fields: Orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, dental equipment.

CNC Milling

CNC milling is one of the most commonly used machining methods in the medical industry, especially suitable for simpler geometries or larger parts. Milling can precisely remove material to create very smooth surfaces. For prosthetics (such as upper or lower limb prostheses), surgical instruments, and medical supports, CNC milling can precisely process high-strength materials like titanium alloys and aluminum alloys. Additionally, CNC milling offers high efficiency and stable machining speeds, making it suitable for large-scale production.

Applicable fields: Prosthetics, medical supports, surgical instruments.

CNC Turning

CNC turning is mainly used for machining rotationally symmetric parts. Turning can precisely process tubular, round, or threaded medical components like heart stents and medical tubing. The advantage of turning is its fast processing speed, capable of achieving very fine dimensional tolerances, especially for large-volume production. Additionally, the cutting forces in turning are relatively low, making it suitable for processing thinner materials.

Applicable fields: Medical tubing, dental instruments, threaded implants.

EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining)

EDM is particularly suitable for hard-to-machine materials such as carbide and titanium alloys. By utilizing electrical discharge, EDM can precisely cut through very hard materials, making it ideal for high-precision medical device components like implants, medical tools, and parts that require small holes. EDM allows for the creation of very complex and miniature geometries, especially for parts that are difficult to achieve with traditional methods.

Applicable fields: High-precision implants, medical tools, small holes, and complex-shaped parts.

Laser Machining

Laser machining offers extremely high precision and non-contact processing, making it particularly useful for cutting and engraving complex parts. It can maintain surface quality in very small sizes and intricate geometries. Laser cutting is especially suitable for thin-walled components like heart stents and vascular stents, as it can perform high-precision machining without causing deformation or damage.

Applicable fields: Medical implants, thin-walled components, complex and miniature parts.

Ⅳ. Access High-Precision CNC Machines – MINNUO

MINNUO offers advanced CNC machines designed specifically for the precise, flexible, and efficient production of medical components, helping manufacturers achieve optimal production results.

Automatic Tool Changer (ATC):

Our CNC machines feature a servo motor-driven ATC system with high-precision ball screw transmission. The tool change can be completed in as fast as 1.5 seconds, with a repeatability of ±2μm. The tool magazine comes in various capacities (e.g., 12, 16, 24 tools), meeting the demands of processing complex medical parts that require numerous tools.

High-Speed Spindle:

Using hydrostatic bearing technology, the spindle reaches speeds of up to 40,000 rpm, with radial runout errors controlled within ±0.5μm, and axial runout errors within ±1μm. This allows for high-speed and high-precision processing of various medical materials, with surface roughness reaching Ra0.2μm or below.

Advanced Control System:

Our CNC machines are equipped with advanced control systems based on multi-axis interpolation algorithms, achieving five-axis and above movement. The contour accuracy can reach ±5μm. The system features intelligent monitoring and adaptive machining functions, which automatically adjust parameters in real-time. For instance, when processing complex components such as heart stents, the system adjusts feed rates and cutting depths based on changes in cutting force and temperature, ensuring both precision and stability.

MINNUO also offers comprehensive technical support and expert consulting to ensure your CNC machines are optimized for the specific demands of medical manufacturing, helping you improve both production efficiency and quality.

Ⅴ. The Future of CNC Machines in the Medical Industry

With continuous advancements in technology, the future of CNC machines in the medical industry looks bright. Here are a few trends I believe will emerge in the coming years:

Personalized and Customized Production: As medical needs become more diverse and personalized, customized medical devices will become the mainstream. CNC machines are perfectly suited to meet these needs, ensuring that every patient receives the most suitable medical equipment.

Integration with 3D Printing: The combination of CNC machines and 3D printing technology will propel medical device manufacturing into a new era. 3D printing can create complex shapes, while CNC machines excel at fine-tuning and detailed processing. Together, they will offer more possibilities for the medical industry.

Intelligent and Automated Systems: As intelligent technology continues to develop, CNC machines will become more automated, capable of independently completing more complex machining tasks. The use of machine learning and artificial intelligence could further optimize production processes, improving both efficiency and precision.

Conclusion

From prosthetics to implants, CNC machines are driving the medical industry toward more precise and personalized solutions. If you’re considering investing in a CNC machine or upgrading your existing equipment for higher precision, I recommend choosing models that meet both high precision and efficiency.