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Tangible Solutions recently announced expansion of its post-processing staff, providing expanded coverage in the post-processing side of the business. Tangible is a globally recognized contract manufacturer of American-made 3D printed Titanium orthopedic implants. The company handles all phases of orthopedic implant creation, offering design support, prototyping, 510(k) clearance support, 3D printing, post processing and testing throughout and after production all at its Fairborn, OH facility.
“The cost in time and dollars involved in post-processing steps can vary widely; and if these processes are outsourced for a manufacturing project, the costs can be even higher,” says Adam Clark, Tangible Chief Executive Officer. “A contract manufacturer that manages an additive manufacturing project from beginning to end within their facility can save a customer important time and costs when introducing an implant to the market.”
Tangible is capable of delivering all post processing steps required in the 3D printing manufacturing of Titanium orthopedic medical devices, and two of those processes are laser marking and passivation. Marking is required by the medical device industry as it must survive the various environments that an implantable device will encounter throughout its lifecycle.
Laser marking and passivation are often used in tandem to support ASTM F86 requirements. “The addition of Laser marking and passivation to Tangible’s list of services almost completes our journey to becoming a full end-to-end contract manufacturer of 3d printed Titanium orthopedic implants,” says Chris Collins, Tangible COO. “We continue to strive toward zero outside services at a rapid rate.”
“Tangible exclusively manufactures implants via Titanium 3d printing (Ti-6Al-4V ELI),” explains Collins. “Throughout the manufacturing process flow, those implants come into contact with various manufacturing materials and surface contaminants that are removed via passivation as well as our proprietary finishing process, which is vital to creating a legible and durable marking.”
