Cendres+Métaux - Micromachining and Precious Metal Alloys for Medical Applications

For companies in the dental and medical technology sector, Cendres+Métaux produces micromechanical, customer-specific components from high-quality materials characterised by a high degree of purity, homogeneity and Swiss precision.

Titanium and precious metal alloys for medical components

For the medical industry, we realise wishes in terms of micromechanical systems, from the idea through to the market launch of the readily packed product. Many years of experience, coupled with a comprehensive range of services, provide the basis for long-lasting partnerships. Our competences comprise the micromachining of titanium and precious metal alloys.

From engineering to packaging

Our customers already benefit from our extensive expertise in machining high-quality micro-parts in the development phase. Our engineering team supports the procedure with a feasibility analysis and thereby ensures an ideal manufacturing process for serial production. Products with elevated requirements of cleanliness are finally controlled and packaged in our clean room (ISO class 8). Through validated processes, the delivery of simple peel pouches as well as of complex blisters with extensive microbiological demands can be guaranteed thoroughly.

Micromachining of titanium and precious metals

As a supplier in the international markets of dental implantology, traumatology, ENT, cardiology and neurology, we process high-precision micromechanical components out of titanium and precious metal alloys in both small batches and large-scale production. We process them through to the finished, packaged product and do so for all the different risk classes (as per FDA and EU guidelines).

High-performance polymers for dental and medical applications

At the IDS 2011 in Cologne, Cendres+Métaux presented the high-performance polymer Pekkton®, a material based on OPM's OXPEKK®-IG, to the dental world. Pekkton® will allow its customers to break new ground in dentistry product development. Over the past decades, polymers - whether thermoset or thermoplastic - have already been widely employed in the dental market. The material most often used is called PEEK, a fibre-reinforced thermoplastic (polyetheretherketones). But because of its crystalline structure, PEEK's performance is limited, and the complex manufacturing process needs fingertip accuracy.

Pekkton®, however, is based on another member of the polyaryletherketone family, polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and has been specifically developed for dental applications. Unlike PEEK, the Pekkton® line offers crystalline as well as amorphous structures, which means a wider range of products can be offered. Furthermore, the material has a slow rate of crystallisation, making it possible to obtain tight tolerances without expensive and time-consuming post-treatments. With its greater processing flexibility, the Pekkton® line will contribute to the development of successful products that provide both structural and aesthetic satisfaction.

Precious metal alloys for medical applications

The latest 3D measuring machines record and monitor the geometry of the components in order to meet the tightest tolerances by using statistical process control (SPC). Inspection applies to every aspect: dimensions, materials, surfaces or packaging. As a result, our products - including a full range of precious metal alloys for medical applications - conform to a constantly high quality standard and satisfy the highest customer requirements. Our multiple certifications document this thorough understanding of quality.

Advantages of our medical micromachining services

Advantages include:

• Modular range of services: we offer development, production and packaging services
• Customised processes: we guarantee expert advice in partnership
• Everything from one source: we act as a general contractor if required
• Precision and safety: manufacturing of precision components in guaranteed Swiss quality
• Guaranteed genuine: we guarantee the traceability of all our products and materials
• In-house materials testing: we run our own accredited metallurgy and analysis laboratories according to ISO/IEC 17025
• Certification: we are registered and certified in accordance with ISO 9001/13485/14001/FDA
• Clean Room ISO Class 8
• Risk classes I, II and III (according to FDA and European classification)

About Cendres+Métaux

Cendres+Métaux was founded in 1924 in the bilingual Swiss watch-making metropolis Biel/Bienne. We develop, produce and sell proprietary products as well as customer-specific products and services for various branches of the industry. Over 450 employees combine traditional craftsmanship with innovative solutions to ensure our customers' success. We create more quality of life out of engineering and services.