A medical components company exhibited its range of plastics engineering solutions at Compamed and explained how 3D printing is enhancing its services.

Spang & Brands exhibited products for applications in medical technology such as syringes, cannulas, piercing membranes, implant components, and parts for minimally invasive medicine, plus components for infusions and blood, as well as transition and connection systems. Mounted assembled systems and in-house produced complete systems are on show and ready for sale.

The company has recently introduced a 3D printing facility as part of expanding its R&D scope from 2016 with the aim of predominantly producing mould inserts as well as printing representative samples of medical components – with 3D printed mould inserts giving them the ability to carry out injection moulding trials using the original plastics material.

Friedrich Echterdiek, managing director of Spang & Brands, said: “Mindful of high initial costs of medical devices customers expect speedy product development from an all-inclusive provider in order to reach validation, clinical trials, and introduction to market. Starting with the initial 3D prototype or 3D printed trial mould analysis of the prototype status leads to quicker and more flexible optimisation of the individual parts, components and assembly – in respect of value to design and manufacturing, including assembly.”