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Photofabrication Engineering, Inc.
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Custom Medical Parts Are Photo Etched from Pure Titanium

Using photo etching to produce titanium medical parts eliminates problems resulting from tool wear and allows PEI to achieve exact repeatability. Precise tolerances to within 10% of material thickness are reportedly achieved.
Image courtesy of PEI

MILFORD, Mass.--A Bay State contract manufacturer specializing in precision, photo chemically-etched metal parts is offering a service that appears to be tailor-made for medical device manufacturers in need of custom parts for implantable devices. Applying its photo etching (chemical machining) process to pure titanium, Milford, Massachusetts-based Photofabrication Engineering Inc. (PEI) produces custom medical parts for implantable devices, specifically those requiring precise and intricate, burr-free construction with exact repeatability. Capable of producing over 100,000 parts per year, PEI is reportedly able to achieve exact repeatability of the titanium medical parts by using the chemical machining process, which doesn't require tooling and, therefore, eliminates repeatability problems resulting from tool wear.

According to PEI, its process allows precise tolerances to within 10% of material thickness. The titanium medical parts are manufactured in sizes from 0.050 inch to 6 inches square, and thicknesses from 0.001 inch to 0.060 inch. Because they are biocompatible, the parts are well-suited for implantable devices, and can be made in virtually unlimited configurations, the company says. Titanium medical parts produced by photo etching are reported to include maxillofacial and craniofacial treatments; cardiovascular devices, such as pacemaker cases and defribrillators; structural components; and intravascular stents. Stainless steel and nickel parts are also offered.

PEI (www.photofabrication.com) is ISO registered and has ANAB and UKAS accreditation. The company can supply parts in contaminant-free argon packaging.