Sandvik’s new powder plant has just received the ‘ISO 13485:2016’ medical certification for Osprey® titanium powders. The Sweden-based metal powder producer will now safely leverage these powders for additive manufacturing applications in the medical industry.
One specific application will be at the heart of the company’s activities: 3D printed implants. Implants are one of the rare medical devices that can rapidly be produced using AM. Not only do they enhance the healing process but they also improve the prognosis for the patient.
This medical certification is the sign that Sandvik’s metal powders are reliable for AM. Furthermore, for Sandvik, it will ensure best practices and enable the whole company to improve its techniques including its manufacturing and testing capabilities required during all stages of the powder lifecycle.
“Achieving the ISO 13485:2016 medical certification will allow our medical customers to complete the necessary regulatory supplier approvals when bringing a medical application to market, utilizing Osprey® titanium powders from Sandvik,” says Keith Murray, VP and Head of Global Sales at Sandvik Additive Manufacturing. “In additive manufacturing it is essential to use high-quality metal powders with consistent quality, adapted to the different additive manufacturing processes. Sandvik’s highly automated manufacturing process ensures excellent consistency,” says Keith Murray.
At the beginning of the Spring season, the Sweden-based company achieved aerospace certification for this new powder plant. The new plant for gas-atomized powders is based in Sandviken, Sweden, next to Sandvik’s additive manufacturing facility, which includes all important AM processes for metals.
Lastly, Sandvik does not only focus its AM activities on its powders. The company is also a shareholder in BEAMIT, an Italy-based AM service provider. Since it acquired a significant stake in BEAMIT, both companies are making a real splash through various collaborations within key markets.
Most recently, the BEAMIT Group acquired ZARE, meaning that two additive manufacturing service bureaus in Europe join forces to become one of the largest independent AM service providers, serving the most demanding industries. An acquisition that in the end, reinforces SANDVIK’s position on the AM market.
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