Acetabular Cup Components & Solutions

Components

The acetabulum is a cup-like socket formed by the connection of the three bones that combine to form our hip. This component is one of the most difficult medical implants to machine due to complex features, tight tolerances, thin walls, and being produced from materials such as titanium and cobalt chrome.

Solutions

Multiple tooling solutions and strategies are employed when machining these complex components. SGS has a comprehensive range of drills and end mills suitable for machining these titanium and cobalt chrome implants. SGS’s patented Multi-tool solutions can also be used to combine the machining of some features with one tool, thus reducing cycle times.

Milling of Acetabular cup components
SGS’s well-established market-leading range of high-performance tooling is well suited to the challenges presented by difficult-tomachine materials such as titanium and cobalt chrome. Working with major medical implant manufacturers SGS have adapted and refined this range of tooling to ensure that cutting data is maximised whilst simultaneously increasing tool life.

More recently we have developed geometries, edge preparations and flute polishing techniques specifically aimed at machining titanium with C02 gas or even dry.

Series 33 milling solution
SGS’s Series 33 solution is good for slotting and pocketing difficult medical materials and is ideal for applications where swarf evacuation is a problem. It has a 3-flute variable geometry design for vibration reduction that also gives excellent chip control. The tool has a stepped core for rigidity and is suitable for plunging applications and ramping.

Combi-tool solution
SGS’s patented one-shot combi-tool drilling and milling solutions offer a reduction in the number of tools required for each hole. The drilling and milling of holes, counterbores and chamfers can now be combined into one tool that delivers a stable, accurate process and reduces both cycle times and tooling costs. In addition, the combi-tool can also deliver production savings by reducing set-up and tool change times and can offer other advantages such as freeing up space in tooling carousels.