Waterjet cutting is a versatile and efficient technology that, nowadays, is used across numerous industries, including medical manufacturing. Medical-grade waterjet cutting is characterized in several ways, making this process distinct from other cutting procedures, including others used in the medical manufacturing sector. In particular, medical-grade waterjet metal cutting stands out because most metallic materials require additional force if they are to be cut to the precise standards needed in the modern healthcare sector. Read on to find out what makes waterjet metal cutting so outstanding when it is used for medical applications.

Precision Engineering

The medical industry demands a much higher level of precision than other sectors do. This is largely because medical equipment often means creating delicate and intricate metal components that tend to have tight tolerances. Consequently, medical-grade waterjet metal cutting is typically distinguished by the utilization of ultra-high pressure and micro-sized nozzles. These can achieve precise cuts down to the sub-millimeter level. This degree of accuracy ensures that even the smallest and most complex medical devices, like stents or micro-needles made from metal, can be fashioned to exact specifications, sometimes for each individual patient.

Non-Thermal Processing

Unlike other cutting methods that generate heat, medical-grade waterjet metal cutting is a cold method. As such, it eliminates the risk of heat-affected zones which could distort the material or compromise its structural integrity, something that occurs in metals with low melting points, such as aluminum. For medical applications, this is crucial, as many materials used can be sensitive to heat exposure.

Clean Cutting

The medical sector requires a high level of cleanliness. Like no other industry, healthcare product manufacturers frequently require complete sterility in all of their production processes. Since waterjet cutting doesn't create dust or debris that could contaminate the cut surfaces, it constitutes an excellent choice for the medical industry. Additionally, medical-grade waterjet metal cutting systems are produced nowadays that meet so-called cleanroom standards. Such systems further enhance the reputation of water cutting as a forming method that is suitable for a host of medical applications.

Flexible Processing

Finally, it should be added that waterjet cutting is a non-contact process, meaning the cutting tool does not physically touch the material it's cutting. This feature makes it an extremely flexible method that can adapt to different cutting paths or designs without the need for additional tools or costly configuration changes. It allows for efficient prototyping, something that the medical sector often requires, as well as customized or short-run medical device production.

Contact a local service, such as Vested Metals, to learn more.