In today’s advanced manufacturing landscape, precision is paramount. The ability to consistently produce components and parts with incredibly tight tolerances is a hallmark of excellence in industries like aerospace, automotive, and, most notably, the medical sector. This article delves into the world of tight tolerance in tooling manufacture, with a specific focus onPrecision Group’s experience in serving the demanding needs of the medical industry.
Understanding Tight Tolerance
Tolerance, in the context of manufacturing, refers to the allowable deviation from a specified dimension or measurement. When it comes to tight tolerances, these deviations are minuscule, often measured in fractions of a millimeter or even microns. Achieving and maintaining such precision is critical, especially in industries where the slightest error can have life-altering consequences.
Why Tight Tolerance Matters in the Medical Industry
In the medical field, precision is non-negotiable. Medical devices, and instruments are designed to interact with the human body, and any deviation from the intended specifications can lead to catastrophic consequences. Here are a few reasons why tight tolerance in tooling manufacture is essential in the medical industry:
Patient Safety: Medical implants, such as artificial joints or dental implants, must fit perfectly within the human body. Any slight deviation can result in discomfort, complications, or even the need for revision surgeries.
Diagnostic Accuracy: Medical devices like MRI machines and CT scanners rely on precisely manufactured components to provide accurate images and diagnoses. The accuracy of these diagnostic tools can be a matter of life and death.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Many surgical procedures today are minimally invasive, relying on tiny instruments and components. Tight tolerances are crucial for these instruments to perform their intended functions without causing unnecessary trauma to the patient.
As a leading player in the manufacturing industry,Precision Group’s has gained a reputation for its exceptional expertise in producing components with tight tolerances. Their extensive experience in serving the medical sector has made them a trusted partner for medical device manufacturers worldwide.
Here are some key aspects of Precision Group approach to achieving tight tolerance in tooling manufacture:
Advanced Technology: Precision Group’s invests in cutting-edge machinery and technology to ensure that their manufacturing processes meet the most stringent quality standards. This includes CNC machining, and state-of-the-art metrology equipment.
Skilled Workforce: The company boasts a highly skilled workforce with extensive experience in working with various materials, including titanium, stainless steel, and medical-grade plastics. Their team of engineers and machinists is well-versed in the unique challenges of medical manufacturing.
Quality Control: Precision Group commitment to quality control is unwavering. Every component they produce undergoes rigorous inspection and testing to ensure it meets the specified tolerances and quality standards.
Regulatory Compliance: The medical industry is highly regulated, and Precision Group understands the importance of adhering to regulatory requirements, such as ISO 13485:2016. Their quality management system is designed to meet and exceed these standards.
Conclusion
In the realm of tight tolerance in tooling manufacture, Precision Group stands out as a reliable and experienced partner, especially in the demanding field of medical manufacturing. Their commitment to precision, advanced technology, and unwavering dedication to quality control makes them an invaluable asset to medical device manufacturers seeking to uphold the highest standards of patient safety and product excellence. As the medical industry continues to advance, the role of precision in tooling manufacture will remain pivotal, and companies like Precision Group will continue to lead the way.
In the realm of manufacturing, the creation of top-notch products often hinges on the condition of molds utilized during production. With time, these molds can succumb to wear and tear, posing a potential threat to the quality of the final output. This is where Precision Group steps in as a crucial player for mold repair and complex geometry machining. Regular maintenance and repair of molds can significantly prolong their lifespan, ensuring it consistently adheres to stringent quality and efficiency standards.
Unveiling Mold Repair
Mold repair is a meticulous process aimed at restoring a mold to its original state after it has undergone damage or gradual deterioration. This becomes pivotal in upholding product quality, as the mold’s condition directly influences the shape, size, and uniformity of the molded item. When a mold is in a less-than-optimal condition, it can introduce flaws into the product, ultimately leading to reduced quality and customer satisfaction.
The Significance of Complex Geometry Machining
Complex geometry machining is an advanced manufacturing process that harnesses cutting-edge tools and techniques to craft intricate shapes and designs. This approach frequently finds application in mold production, empowering manufacturers to create elaborate designs that would be otherwise challenging to achieve through conventional machining methods. Leveraging complex geometry machining in mold manufacturing greatly enhances the overall quality of the final product by facilitating superior precision and accuracy throughout the molding process.
The Advantages of Mold Repair and Complex Geometry Machining
Investing in mold repair and complex geometry machining offers a multitude of advantages.
These processes dramatically extend a mold lifespan. By diligently preserving the condition of molds used in production, manufacturers can ensure that their products consistently meet high standards of quality and uniformity, even as the molds undergo the natural aging process.
The integration of complex geometry machining into mold production bestows a newfound sense of design flexibility. This method empowers manufacturers to create intricate and innovative designs that were previously unattainable using traditional machining techniques, thereby unlocking fresh avenues for product design and creativity.
Regular mold repair and complex geometry machining can yield substantial cost savings in the long run. While these processes might necessitate an initial investment, they ultimately lead to reduced production costs due to the prolonged life of molds and the enhanced efficiency of the molding process.
Synergy of Tooling and Molding
When tooling and molding converge, they form an all-encompassing solution for manufacturing needs. The tooling process lays the foundation by preparing and customizing the equipment required for the molding phase, wherein raw materials are transformed into the desired configuration. Employing both these techniques ensures superior product consistency, quality, and efficiency, making it the preferred choice among manufacturers.
For deeper insights into mold repair and complex geometry machining, we invite you to explore our website at www.precision-group.com delving further into these processes and comprehending their benefits can revolutionize your manufacturing efficiency and product excellence.
The landscape of global manufacturing has been undergoing a significant transformation in recent years, with Mexico emerging as a powerhouse destination for manufacturers seeking to shift away from China. In this article, we will explore the factors driving this remarkable shift and focus on the story ofPrecision Group, one of the pioneering mold makers that established operations in Mexico, thereby becoming a relevant participant in this manufacturing makeover.
1. The Mexican Manufacturing Revolution
Mexico’s manufacturing sector has been growing steadily, and several factors have contributed to its rise as a manufacturing hub. These factors have collectively shaped the “Mexican Manufacturing Revolution”:
a. Proximity to Major Markets: Mexico shares its northern border with the United States, one of the world’s largest consumer markets. This geographical advantage significantly reduces transportation costs, lead times, and supply chain complexities.
b. Trade Agreements and Tariff Reductions: Mexico has a comprehensive network of trade agreements, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). These agreements have reduced trade barriers, making Mexico an attractive destination for companies seeking to reduce tariffs and enhance market access.
c. Labor Costs and Skilled Workforce: Mexico offers competitive labor rates and a highly skilled workforce, especially in industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics. This combination of affordability and expertise attracts businesses looking to maintain quality while lowering production costs.
d. Supply Chain Resilience: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting companies to rethink their strategies. Mexico’s proximity and adaptability make it a resilient option for businesses seeking to diversify their supply chains.
One of the trailblazers in Mexico’s manufacturing transformation is Precision Group, a company specializing in mold making andinjection molding. Here’s how Precision Group played a pivotal role in this shift:
a. Early Entry into Mexico: Precision Group recognized the potential of Mexico’s manufacturing landscape and established its operations there early on. This move allowed them to take full advantage of Mexico’s proximity to major markets.
b. Advanced Technology and Expertise: Precision Group brought advanced mold-making technology and expertise to Mexico. Their commitment to quality and precision helped set new standards in the Mexican manufacturing industry.
c. Local Talent Development: The company invested in training and developing local talent, contributing to the growth of a skilled workforce in the region.
d. Supply Chain Integration: Precision Group integrated seamlessly into the local supply chain, collaborating with other manufacturers to create a robust ecosystem.
3. The Broader Impact
Precision Group success in Mexico is emblematic of the larger trend of companies shifting their manufacturing operations from China to Mexico. This trend has brought significant economic benefits to Mexico, including job creation, increased foreign investment, and technology transfer. It has also enhanced the competitiveness of Mexican manufacturing on the global stage.
Conclusion
Mexico’s manufacturing makeover is not merely a regional phenomenon; it is a global shift in the manufacturing landscape. Factors like proximity to major markets, favorable trade agreements, competitive labor costs, a skilled workforce, supply chain resilience, and technological advancements have made Mexico an attractive destination for manufacturers. Precision Group‘s pioneering role in this transformation showcases the potential for businesses to thrive in Mexico’s dynamic manufacturing environment. As this trend continues, Mexico is poised to play a leading role in the future of global manufacturing.
Thanks to a very positive market expectation in Mexico, with the specialty in mold creation, Precision Group opted for the opening of a new operation in Monterrey last January. In this headquarters they offer repair and maintenance services for molds, although the idea is to take its capacities towards the manufacture of tools and the molding of parts.
Precision Group is an experienced manufacturer of molds, with the ability to provide solutions that range from the concept and design of a product, to everything related to the mold and, even, the production of plastic parts for the medical, automotive, aerospace markets. , energy, electronics and consumer. Although his clients today are major Fortune 500 companies, Precision Group has painstakingly carved his own path to get there.
The origins of the company go back to a dream of entrepreneurship of Maya and Naum Royberg, who fled the former Soviet Union and came to Texas in search of freedom and well-being. The idea, which began in the garage of his home, today spreads to four locations: two in Texas and two on Mexican soil. With their most recent investment, a workshop in Monterrey, the Roybergs are committed to further globalizing their operation and being prepared for the manufacturing boom expected in Mexico.
Plastics Technology México had the opportunity to visit its corporate offices in San Antonio, in order to see first-hand its technological capabilities, their business culture and its expansion plans to serve their clients from the Mexican Republic. Its strategy is based on working with cutting-edge technology and the development of human talent. This is their story.
The origins of the company date back to an entrepreneurial dream of the husband and wife Naum and Maya Royberg, who fled the former Soviet Union and arrived in Texas in 1978, Precision Group has painstakingly carved his own path to get there.
Building a dream
Precision Group’s owners arrived in the United States around 1978. Young people and a small four-year-old daughter, ventured to get away from his country, in full political repression. After a journey of dangers and uncertainties, as seen in the films of the Iron Curtain era, fate led them to San Antonio, Texas. Without knowing English, and with only $200 in their pockets, they began to work in different companies and in several shifts. Years of striving to learn the language and make a living followed, until around 1985 they saw the time to take the next step.
“We had always nurtured the dream of being entrepreneurs and founding a business in which we could deposit my husband technical knowledge and pour all our work capacity into building something of our own. So we decided that this was what we wanted to do, and we started in our garage. My husband made sketches and mold designs, and I had two jobs to support the family financially. When we embarked on this adventure we knew it was going to be difficult, but also exciting for what we could achieve. And so it was, ”
Ww remember that the first mold developed was for an entrepreneurial couple, like them, who came from Austin. “They had a limited budget, but for us it was a great opportunity. They hadn’t found anyone who could mold them for the price they were looking for and we did. With this collaboration, both they and we were able to start doing business. Even today we have saved the piece that was manufactured with that mold ”.
A year later, pressure from their neighbors, who did not want a commercial operation nearby, led them to rent a small warehouse in an industrial park. As its capabilities and reputation increased, so did its customer base. Thus, by 1990 they expanded their operations and established a new workshop in La Feria, Texas. The following year they increased their area of operation in San Antonio to about 900 square meters, which allowed them to offer more services to the automotive industry.
Shortly after, 1995 was a year of great movement: they expanded the San Antonio headquarters again, reaching some 2,000 square meters and adding other capacities. They also set foot on Mexican soil with the opening of a workshop in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. “This decision was motivated by maquila clients for the automotive industry, who required our services on that side of the border. With the maquiladoras, the demand for manufacturing grew exponentially and we were there to attend to it ”.
In 2005, the Precision Group took another big step toward building its current identity with the creation of its in-house plastic part molding division. By adding injection molding to their offering, they could give their customers a comprehensive concept-to-part solution. “Being a mold maker and also supporting our clients with mold repairs, I told my husband that the key would be to have the entire turnkey operation. That way, we wouldn’t have to send the molds to another place for testing, but we could do it at our plant”.
Precision Group has the ability to provide solutions ranging from the concept and design of a product, to everything related to the mold and even the production of plastic parts.
It was not an easy decision. There was the fear that their customers might see them as competitors in the molding segment, but they did not. They became what can be called a one-stop shop. “By having injection machines, our service in mold manufacturing acquired an added value for the molders and, on the other hand, those clients who wanted to contract the mold and the manufacturing in a single stop could do it with us”.
They began with tests and validations, then small productions followed, until in 2014 they allocated an area dedicated to molding within the plant to meet larger requirements. In 2019 they obtained ISO certifications for the manufacture of molded plastic components for medical devices.
The most recent milestone is in 2021: last January they made another strategic move with the opening of the workshop in Monterrey, Nuevo León, under the name of Prodmash.
Technologies and talent to go from concept to piece
“It all starts with technology, which is a priority for us. We were the first in Texas to bring a five-axis machining center to San Antonio more than 10 years ago. When we are going to acquire a new technology we do a deep evaluation to know what the system is capable of doing and contributing. Then we make sure to train, educate and prepare ourselves to be able to use it at its highest level. We always wanted to differentiate ourselves from other companies through the use and application of technology. Going to the forefront brings the challenge of education and training, but we understand it and that is how we operate ”, said the board of directors.
Precision Group is a regular visitors to industrial machinery fairs, where they have been able to learn about new trends and take the step to understand, acquire and manage them. When they started in the business, designs were made in sketches and drawings, but everything has changed and they have followed their instinct to advance in this sense, as technology does.
The board of directors recalls that, once, when the company was in its infancy, a purchasing manager of a company in the automotive industry, with whom they were already working on several projects, asked them to implement 3D simulation software. “It was very expensive and we did not know about this application, but it was an opportunity to generate more business. So we had to jump over that hurdle and take the risk. We bought the system, we trained to work with it, and that gave us a competitive advantage with other clients. These steps must be taken.”
“Our team uses the best design tools available to capture the ideas that clients bring up. All aspects of the design are captured in a single 3D CAD master model created by designers in our tooling department. The software creates a complete 3D product definition and enables a simulation that assesses productivity issues long before a prototype is built. “
Today, its mold making capabilities span complex machining jobs for world-class customers and include direct machining, four-axis CNC lathe, five-axis high-speed CNC, wire EDM and EDM. The company also has the capacity to provide its customers with a “quick mold” or prototype, made of aluminum, so that they have a more precise idea of the appearance of the final products before going to production.
For injection molding they have electric machines equipped with robots that allow a clean and automated operation. Secondary operations include semi-automatic assembly, in-mold decoration, pad printing, ultrasonic welding, overmolding, and engineering services.
We have a special place in the Precision Group facilities dedicated to preserving recognition and parts for our customers, from all her years in the market.
Another division of the Precision Group that is very important in the company’s strategy is the maintenance and repair service of molds for industries as demanding as aerospace, automotive and white goods. In their repair arsenal they have the HTS precision laser welding system, which allows extremely precise welds, up to 50 microns. “This system is essential for cavity or core mold repairs. Cold welding is done with the same steel as the mold, and it can be done with dimensions thinner than a hair. The operation is so precise that a microscope is required. This allows to speed up the times with respect to traditional methods. Currently, each workshop has a laser welder and the newest is in Monterrey ”, commented the CEO.
In addition, the Precision Group offers its customers mold preventive maintenance programs, which allow a scheduled review and adjustment of the mold to be coordinated before a failure occurs. “If there is an unexpected failure, the customer loses money by the time their production stops and the mold does not produce on the machine. By doing it programatically, this is avoided ”.
One strength that they stand out is that regardless of the challenge, be it repair or manufacture of molds or plastic injection, all its headquarters in the United States (San Antonio and La Feria) and in Mexico (Reynosa and now Monterrey) operate in coordinated manner. “We are a single company, in which the teams work across four facilities, but as if it were a single roof.”
The bet for Mexico
In Mexico, we see the future. From the Reynosa headquarters they serve the dynamic market for maquiladora on the border, but they see a great opportunity to go further inland on Mexican soil to get on what will be the manufacturing wave expected in the country, as a result of the trend of nearshoring, through which large multinationals seek to have the manufacturing of their products closer to their corporations. “Several of our clients are casting their eyes on Mexico, but also several Mexican companies require the proximity of a supplier with the capacities and skills that we offer. We are certain that our work will have much more recognition and scope, with Mexico as a platform. The five-year plan looks great”
Although the pandemic delayed the plans to start the operation in Monterrey, they kept their intention firm, and in January of this year they began activities.
“In a crisis, everyone falls back, but this was the time to invest. Setting up a workshop takes time. You have to find the building, install the crane, do the refurbishment, buy machinery and much more. We were able to take advantage of this time to prepare and thus, when the reactivation of business arrives, we are ready to provide services. We are ahead of the curve ”.
Currently, we already work with several clients in the automotive industry in repair and maintenance of molds, but the idea is to take the Monterrey workshop step by step towards the capabilities of mold manufacturing and injection molding. “Today we can provide the service from our other locations, but the idea is to do it locally, with the same quality”.
One of the challenges that Precision Group is working on for the development of Prodmash, the name under which it operates in Monterrey, is the development of human talent and technology transfer. “In Monterrey we will have the same technologies that we have in San Antonio. Now we are in a phase of training and preparation of personnel. Several of our engineers have traveled to teach the operation of systems and equipment. From Monterrey they have also come to San Antonio. However, we need more education, so we plan to establish alliances with technical schools in Mexico to advance in this regard. You have to invest in people with a view to the future. It is not only having the best technology but also the best people, the most prepared, so that they can operate it ”.
We assure that in all our locations we have sought to replicate the culture that characterizes the Precision Group. “We are a family business. We care about people and their well-being. Finding this vocation gave us a purpose and a future. Even from when we were in the garage, our goal was to create a good place for people to want to work. We have a great connoisseur of this field, enjoys educating people and helping them reach the next level. We like to share our knowledge of technology. For years we have educated ourselves and passed that knowledge on to our employees, who are proud of their work and what they do. And that vision prevails in all the projects we undertake. In Mexico, we are excited to take part of who we are and do something that represents opportunities for education, development, profession and future ”.
“Mexico is a shining star. With great potential in its people, in manufacturing and at all levels of development. I can only say that we are happy to be part of this great revolution ”.
World-class clients
Precision Group define their molds as complex, both geometrically and dimensionally, for various industries. Hence, its clients are in the most demanding sectors. They had the opportunity to work on a component for a NASA project, so it can be said that their molds and parts have reached space. “The knowledge and the ability to develop these projects is teamwork. It is not something that happens overnight, but a process that takes time. In addition, the cooperation with the client is essential to share information and manufacture the mold with all the specifications that it requires ”.
One case is that of a renowned American company of scientific instrumentation and consumables, which came to them to manufacture a mold intended to produce a part with a highly additive resin. “Our comprehensive knowledge allowed us to work with them on mold development and consider the shrinkage variables of such a particular resin. This was indispensable in the design of the mold ”.
Now, during the pandemic, they were listed as part of the production chains for essential activities. In record time they worked with a large multinational company to develop the plastic components in test kits for the diagnosis of COVID-19. “We quickly accommodate tooling, maintenance and repair needs to support them.”
An application that illustrates very well its comprehensive ability to provide a turnkey solution, from concept to part, was for a client in the pharmaceutical industry, who had a project for the manufacture of implements for artificial insemination. “It was a whole process to meet them, understand the concept of what they required and gain their trust so that they would allow us to give recommendations throughout the process. It was a very specific piece, and although we do not have knowledge in the medical area, our experience in manufacturing gave us clear insights into what the design had to be in order for it to work in production. We support them in the design, the manufacture of the mold and the injection of the parts. With each client it is a different process”.
Before the injection molding process begins, a Mold Flow Analysis is conducted to identify potential problems and improvements for a mold before it gets built. Using specialized software, we simulate an injection molding cycle: molten plastic is injected into a mold cavity by a reciprocating screw, where it conforms to the mold shape and then cools to be extracted. There are tens of thousands of different polymers, elastomers, thermoplastic, and thermoset materials. They display different properties when heated and cooled, including color, clarity, sheen, tensile strength, and flexibility.
Being able to simulate how the polymers will react under different conditions gives incredible insight. But we can also see what’s going on inside the mold itself—particularly useful for any product with varying wall thicknesses or challenging geometry. At this point, we can adjust the design, determine the correct placement of the gate, choose the correct polymer, regulate the heating and cooling, control the flow and injection pressure, and essentially optimize the entire production process.
Mold Flow Analysis is a meticulous, hands-on-process. In a world of faster, better, cheaper—Precision Group believes in getting it right the first time. Mold Flow Analysis is a crucial step in our commitment to quality, and the attainment of great engineering. We believe it is a critical step for our clients—the results provide less risk, save time and money in adjustments, and optimize the injection molding cycle. And we just enjoy making you look like a hero.
Electrical discharge machining is a machining method primarily used for hard metals or those that would be very difficult to machine with traditional techniques. It is a manufacturing process in which the desired shape is obtained by using electrical discharges (sparks). Material is removed from the workpiece by a series of rapidly recurring current discharges (several hundred thousand sparks per second) between two electrodes separated by a dielectric liquid.
EDM has an accuracy of up to one-thousandth of a millimeter with no mechanical action. Furthermore, EDM can cut intricate contours or cavities in pre-hardened steel without the need for heat treatment to soften and re-harden.
By virtue of these properties, EDM is a key “non-traditional” advanced technology in mold and tool making. As opposed to the traditional processes of turning, milling, grinding, and drilling. However, because of the wear and tear brought about by these millions of electrical discharges, operations have evolved in very strategic ways.
THE WIRE-CUT EDM
This process avoids the erosion of material from the wire—which will ultimately cause the wire to break. The wire is wound between two spools so that the active part of the wire is continually changing. Only a small portion of the wire is engaged in the machining process at any given time.
THE DIE-SINKING EDM
Is a process that uses different sizes and shapes of electrodes during the same EDM operation (multiple electrode strategy). This involves “sinking” the blank in a single vertical direction into the dielectric liquid while the tool electrode carves out the shape. The corresponding machine is called sinker EDM. It moves the blank in multiple directions and rotations to complete the shape. These intricate designs are run via computer numerical controlled (CNC) plotters for precise accuracy.
EDM technology is best used for complex shapes that would otherwise be difficult to produce with conventional cutting tools. But also for tough materials with very close tolerances. But there are other instances where EDM technology is also suited by virtue that there is no direct contact between the tool and workpiece. These include very small workpieces that could be damaged from conventional cutting tool pressure. Such as delicate sections, weak materials, very fine holes (microscopic), tapered holes, and internal contours of pipes or containers.
Precision Group has a robust EDM equipment inventory across our three facilities, with expert machinists to run them. See our ad in Manufacturing News to learn more about Precision Group
Precision Group is excited to announce that we are developing a new 15,000 sq. ft. facility in Monterrey, Mexico to expand our tooling operations. This facility will be fully outfitted with the latest technology to support mold creation, mold repair, prototyping, and engineering design.
“We are thrilled to bring our expertise directly to the Monterrey market. For years, we have seen demand for our services grow in Mexico. Now we will be better equipped to meet that demand with high-tech solutions and decades of experience right in Mexico.”
said Maya Royberg, CEO & Owner of Precision Group.
Precision Group’s new Monterrey shop will open in early 2021, and will begin serving customer needs immediately after that. The Monterrey facility will operate under the name Prodmash (a Precision Group subsidiary) and will augment Precision Group’s existing operations in San Antonio and La Feria, TX, and Reynosa, Mexico.
In the meantime, as we look forward to the official opening, we would like to share some pictures of the construction in progress! Stay tuned for further updates, and if you are looking for tooling services in the Monterrey area or elsewhere, please fill out the contact form on our website.
Prodmash Group International Carretera Mezquital – Santa Rosa 2745 Int F Apodaca, Nuevo Leon, Mexico 66630 +52-81-3546-4500
In our last update, we shared that Precision Group is building a new shop to expand our operations into Monterrey, Mexico. This new shop will be fully equipped with the latest technology to service our customers’ mold building, maintenance, and repair needs to meet the growing demand for those services in Mexico. Last week, we visited the construction site to check out the progress on this new operation, and we are excited to share some more photos to give you a preview of what’s to come! This new shop will operate under the name Prodmash Group International and is scheduled to open in early 2021. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress, and for a grand opening date which we will announce soon.
If you are interested in becoming one of our first customers at the new Monterrey shop, please contact us.
The history of manufacturing in the United States is a fascinating story of evaluation and change in society, culture, and economics. As the United States grew larger and its economic ties with other countries grew stronger, manufacturing became more and more sophisticated and the processes became more refined and systematic. As the country’s economic prospects grew, our industries grew as well. Manufacturers needed to match the demands of Americans and their newfound prosperity. Around the world and especially in Europe, America held enormous potential for industry, since there was so much usable land.
Henry Ford was one of the earliest and most successful manufacturing innovators to cater to Americans’ needs. Ford’s implementation and refinement of the assembly line in the early 20th century led to the exponential growth of manufacturing capacity across all industries — not just automotive. Such innovations in manufacturing made America the world’s number one producer of goods, leading to a new heights of economic and political power. In the eyes of the world, it was undeniable that American power and American industry were inseparably tied together, with manufacturing at its core.
On the back of our manufacturing prowess, America reached a new peak in the 1960s and 1970s with great boundary-pushing and manufacturing-led programs like NASA’s Apollo program, which in just ten years took America from Earth to the moon and inspired a generation of young and awestruck Americans to become scientists and engineers. Only a country with the industrial capacity, resources, and sheer determination to reach this goal could have achieved it — and to this day, America remains the only nation to have successfully reached the moon (and six times at that). Without our legendary ability to manufacture crucial parts using the most advanced techniques of the day, reaching the moon would have been an impossible task.
Now, we are once again reaching new heights as innovative companies are trailblazing paths to space and other new fields once more. On May 30, 2020, SpaceX and NASA jointly and successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the ISS. That historic launch (the first launch of Astronauts from American soil in nearly a decade) is helping to usher in a new era of American ingenuity and progress in engineering and science, and serves as an inspiring example of what the manufacturing industry can accomplish in partnership with scientists and engineers from both public and private organizations.
For 35 years, Precision Group has operated an advanced manufacturing presence in the United States and worked with numerous high-profile companies, agencies and organizations to push the boundaries of the scientific and technological frontiers. We have been lucky to work with brilliant scientists and engineers on manufacturing projects for NASA such as New Horizons, the first space probe to visit Pluto and send pictures back to Earth. We are all inspired by the successes that America has achieved through its manufacturing might, and we appreciate the opportunity to be part of the vanguard that is leading the world to inspiring successes both on Earth and elsewhere in the universe.
Precision Group is an industry-leading designer and manufacturer of both injection-molded plastics and tooling across various industries. We have been around for 30+ years, manufacturing molds and tools for non-invasive medical devices and surgical instruments, among other products.
With medical device manufacturing revenue expecting to rise three percent every year through 2023, we feel it’s important to look at the trends. These innovations will be discussed in May at NPE2018, an event focused on next-generation plastics.
We’ll be attending NPE2018 specifically looking at medical device trends in the areas of new materials, additives, and sustainability.
Now, why are these trends important?
REASON #1: ENHANCE CAPABILITIES
Using the right materials and additives increases the strength, flexibility, and customization options for medical devices and surgical instruments. This means greater capabilities, higher accuracy, and increased patient comfort. What more can you ask for?
REASON #2: IMPROVE PROCESSES
The right materials can improve your medical device’s performance and decrease the production time, getting it in your hands faster so you can get a feel for the size and how it works. Before the medical device launches, you’ll also be able to make changes to the design easier since certain additives offer greater prototype options. Once your product is approved, it can hit the market early.
REASON #3: MINIMIZE WASTE AND LOWER PRODUCTION COSTS
Sustainable non-invasive medical devices and surgical instruments are more durable. This means higher product lifecycles and fewer products in landfills. By pursuing sustainability, you can also help the environment, reduce production costs, and minimize waste. One of the major sustainability trends is biodegradable bioplastics, which a surgeon may find useful because the product will dissolve eventually without requiring surgery to remove.
At Precision Group, we always strive to be on the cutting edge of technology and deliverability.
