to several improvements and enhancements of how existing tools and devices are used and how they perform. For instance, an engineering goal at Oak View Tool is to lessen the need for surgeons to have to use a hammer on surgical tools or devices. To remove bone material in preparation for implants, many surgical tools and devices require surgeons to use hammers. Such tools and devices are typically designed to accept strike plates strictly for this purpose. However, having to use hammers on tools and devices is hard on surgeons and equally hard on patients. “We are now helping develop surgical tools and devices that make a difference, because they lessen the need for having to use a hammer on them. Many designs of today’s existing surgical tools are such that they could be improved in regards to ergonomics,” said Dahms. “Their geometries are often insufficient and could be better. With our extensive surgical tool background and the machining capabilities of our Mazak machine, we are able to improve the geometries of these tools and, along with that, their performance.” As an example, Oak View Tool recently improved an existing tool that previously removed bone material in only one direction. “By simply optimizing its teeth geom- etries, we were able to produce the same tool that now removes bone material in both forward and back directions. It’s both more efficient and less stressful on both surgeon and patient.”
“Our R&D, prototyping and production capabilities give us a significant competitive advantage”
The idea: Production-run jobs have increased at Oak View Tool and business has
grown, but Dahms said that the shop will always focus, first and foremost, on R&D and prototyping for the medical industry. The machining capabilities of the Integrex 200-IV S allow the shop to quickly produce prototypes of new and improved surgical tool and device designs that couldn’t otherwise be made in the past.
“Our R&D, prototyping and production capabilities give us a significant competi- tive advantage,” said Dahms. “We will continue to stay on the cutting edge by incor- porating the latest innovative machine tool technology such as that from Mazak. For the very near future, we are moving into ultra-high-speed machining and already have another Mazak machine in mind for that.” ME For more information from Mazak Corp., go to www.mazakusa.com, or phone 859-342-1700.
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