In recent years, with the rapid development of the medical industry, many companies opt to produce a few prototypes or small batches to quickly enter the market. But what are the steps needed to create a medical prototype?
Step 1: The first and most crucial step is to find a prototype manufacturer capable of independent processing. Send the required drawings (3D, 2D) to the manufacturer. Effective communication with the manufacturer is essential to avoid changes to the drawing that could lead to errors in the final product. Upon receiving the drawings, the manufacturer will evaluate their feasibility, determine the appropriate processing method, establish processing time, and provide a cost estimate.
Step 2: Most medical prototype models require surface treatment, typically painting or silk-screening. Special attention must be paid to the choice of paint, as the working environment of medical prototypes has specific requirements. Use anti-alcohol paint for this purpose, and ensure that the silk-screen printing also uses anti-alcohol ink.
Step 3: For processing medical prototypes, CNC machining is generally recommended. CNC machining is a form of subtractive manufacturing and is preferable to 3D printing in terms of material characteristics and precision. However, complex structures may still require 3D printing. The choice between overall processing and modular processing depends on the demand. Modular processing is often recommended as it can significantly reduce costs without greatly impacting quality.
Step 4: After processing, the medical product undergoes additional finishing steps. It is first sent to the manual department for processing and adaptation, which includes sanding and painting. Once the product meets the desired standards, it is assembled and adjusted as a whole.
Step 5: Finally, the product is handed over to the quality inspection department for testing and inspection. This includes checking for size accuracy, color consistency, paint finish, smoothness, and alcohol resistance.