Protomatic is a contract computer numerical control (CNC) machining shop specialising in prototype and production components for the orthopaedic, cardiovascular, surgical tool and medical device industries.
We machine and finish custom components using medical-grade plastics, aluminium, rubber, titanium, stainless steel, and a variety of superalloys.
Protomatic is based at a modern 30,500ft² facility in south-east Michigan, US, one city west of Ann Arbor. The facility’s lighting and climate controls have been designed specifically for the precision required for its prototyping and manufacturing functions.
Comprehensive medical device component design
Turning ideas into reality has always been Protomatic’s cornerstone. Whether we are contract-manufacturing a component, going from a napkin sketch to electronic design or creating computer-aided design (CAD) or manufacturing (CAM) files for production, all our clients receive the same standard of quality.
The core of our company is our engineering staff and machinists, who bring a range of education and experience to help them bring nearly any idea to life. Because of their exposure to a variety of CNC machining practices, they can quickly bring your product to market.
Full compliance with international regulatory standards
In the area of cybersecurity, Protomatic complies with the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) SP800-171 standard and meets the most recent standard, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) V1.02.
Protomatic is registered with International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 9001:2015 and 13485:2016, as well as AS9100D. We comply with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and hold current International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) export licenses.
Versatile range of machining capabilities
Protomatic uses three, four and five-axis CNC milling centres and two and three-axis CNC turning centres. We can combine six-axis robots with five-axis milling centres for higher volume applications.
For more complex and high-precision tasks, we have seven and eight-axis CNC multi-axis machining centres for mill-turn applications.
Our special equipment includes a metal shear, presses, a brakepress, punching, plasma cutting, and tungsten inert gas (TIG) and fusion welding apparatus. Special processes available to us include silicone rubber moulding and plastic stabilisation.
To complement our CNC machines, Protomatic offers conventional and microscopic deburring, micro blasting, media tumbling, magnetic spin tumbling and polishing.
Rigorous component inspection down to microscopic levels
Protomatic offers full inspection services, with coordinate measuring machine (CMM) inspection capabilities on all dimensionally critical parts. Our climate and dust-controlled manufacturing practices are designed to ensure consistency.
We monitor gauges using GAGETrak calibration software and calibrate them to NIST and/or ISO 10012 standards, using ISO 17025-qualified suppliers.
Our inspection facility allows us to monitor manufactured goods and contract inspection projects in-house. We are registered with AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016.
The optical inspection equipment at Protomatic helps produce parts with exacting tolerances. The Micro Vu Spectra Comparator is a precision optical measurement device with interchangeable lenses typically ranging from 10-20x, designed for small to medium-sized part inspection. Other vision systems with greater magnification capacities are also available.
To allow us to further inspect on a microscopic level and maintain control through the production process, Protomatic uses gauge pins, micrometers, speciality gauging, laser micrometers, profilometers, surfometers and programmable coordinate measurement machines among other equipment.
Flexibility in meeting customers’ requirements
Protomatic knows customers’ challenges and is there to support them. We see the increasing demand for higher-complexity parts with tighter tolerances. To accommodate ‘personalised medicines’, we can create small batch sizes to meet the various product sizes needed due to age, gender and other genetic factors.
We also know that new product development is critical to being first to market. Keeping up with product technology is difficult enough, so having strong and capable suppliers is paramount to success. By partnering with Protomatic, you can keep up with the latest manufacturing technology without having to waste time monitoring your suppliers for quality or delivery.