Profile Precision Extrusions manufactures a wide range of custom aluminum extrusions for the medical device industry. We produce extruded solid shapes for research equipment, hospital room equipment, and furnishings. We also extrude aluminum tubes for disposable surgical devices and diagnostic tools. Many of the engineers we work with contact us as a last resort, having been unsuccessful using stainless steel, titanium, or plastics.
One of the biggest benefits and most important feature of aluminum extrusions is design flexibility. That flexibility is demonstrated in the very simple design above, and the complex medical device designs below. The designs in this post cannot be made using the traditional metals used in the medical industry without a significant expenditure of time and money. Fortunately for our stressed medical device engineer customers, they’re produced every day in aluminum extrusions.
Availability and Biocompatibility
Extruded aluminum components are found in several diagnostic and surgical devices. Aluminum tubes and multi-hollow shapes are found in stethoscopes, trocars, and other disposable tools. This fact comes as a surprise to many design engineers. In addition to the use and availability of extruded aluminum for medical devices, alloys such as 6061, 6063, and 3003 are biocompatible. Aluminum coatings, such as anodize or chem-film, are biocompatible, and RoHS compliant.
New Medical Device Project Benefits
For new medical device projects, speed, quality, and cost are very important. With aluminum you can create a single extruded profile which eliminates joining costs. Not only is aluminum lighter than steel, it gets stronger as temperatures drop where steel and plastics don’t fare as well. We can complete design review, feedback, and formal quotes in as little as 24 hours. Another benefit to extrusion tooling is that it’s very inexpensive and the product has short lead times. In many cases the tooling can be built in as little as two weeks. For these projects the typical tooling cost ranges from $550 to $1,550.
In the future consider aluminum extrusions or tubing as an option at the beginning of a medical device design project. Take advantage of our 25 years of experience to help solve your engineering challenge. Contact Profile today to find out how extruded aluminum solutions can speed your medical device design to market.
