Laser focus: Investing to maintain precision

Lincoln-based manufacturing firm Micrometric is continuing to expand its services in the medical engineering and manufacturing sector after investing in and identifying new uses for a high-precision laser machine predominantly used to produce medical components. 

Founded in 1981, Micrometric is a specialist in the laser processing of materials and uses laser manufacturing services to produce fine parts and precision components for customers in the UK, Europe and across the world.  

Micrometric provides sub-contract manufacturing services to produce components that are used by businesses in the aerospace, automotive, energy, medical device manufacturing and electronics industrial sectors.

The company invests in equipment to respond to enquiries and changing demands from customers, particularly in the medical sector, who require high-quality, high-capacity and reliable components.   

The company is committed to highlighting the importance of UK manufacturers and works with customers on each stage of the production process, from prototype to volume production, offering an all-in-one service.  

Micrometric specialises in a range of laser manufacturing services including cutting, marking, drilling and welding as well as precision component machining. But to maintain its innovative approach to manufacturing, the firm has recently introduced Coherent’s StarCut Tube system to its range of precision cutting equipment. 

The fully automated machine, which is designed to laser cut, drill and mark tubular or flat metal components, is traditionally used by subcontract manufacturers to produce exclusive medical instruments with extremely high precision. 

This machine, coupled with the team’s expertise, means that Micrometric has the capabilities to cut, assemble and weld complex manufacturing devices including injection needles, small tubes and endoscopes as well as intricate parts used for surgical equipment.

To manufacture medical parts the company uses tube cutting to create small windows, slots, holes and spirals for different pieces of equipment such as cannulas and large tubes which form parts of innovative MRI machinery. 

It’s vital that products and components which are mass produced for the medical sector have full traceability, and Micrometric is able to laser mark medical products with clear Unique Device Identification (UDI) codes to ensure that every part can be tracked back to its source. 

Since investing in this equipment, Micrometric’s skilled and knowledgeable workforce has found new uses for this machine; the company has also been using it to produce a flexible range of tube components in large volumes as well as finer, more precise parts for a wide range of sectors in addition to the medical sector. 

Neil Main, managing director at Micrometric, said: “We invested in the StarCut Tube machine as we knew it could deliver the required performance for a wide range of projects and had a long, low-maintenance lifetime which is necessary for cost-effective operations within our working environment.

“The machine’s versatility allows us to cut thinner tubes than our other machines produce and extend our capabilities and the range of customers we can service.”

Micrometric has already used the machine to cut, assemble and weld complex medical and aerospace components for companies which produce aerospace filters, automated injection needles, endoscopy components and MRI scanning equipment. 

Main added: “Thanks to this machine, we can produce components for different types of sectors, including airflow sensors, flexible protective covers, valves used for car suspension systems, industrial and medical endoscopy equipment, printing machines and food production.

“We’ve always tried to address difficult tasks by investing heavily in our equipment and in staff training. This machine is perfect for customers looking to produce reliable components with extremely precise design criteria, as well as those using materials which are less common than sheet steel.

“The equipment we produce for the medical sector is often extremely small and intricate - and as these devices are used to save lives, it is imperative that the processes used to make them from beginning to end assure their quality and reliability.”

As well as providing different laser-related processes such as laser cutting, marking, welding and engraving to produce life-changing devices, Micrometric’s laser machines are suited to cutting materials of varying thicknesses as well as materials including metal, plastics and glass.