Tools, Tech, Transformation – a National Industries Info Series
When it comes to the latest tech and developments in metal fab – and all things related – there’s no denying our team is just a little bit obsessed. If there’s new equipment hitting the market, ground breaking techniques being showcased or an AI integration being tested, you better believe it has our attention.
Lucky for us, a lot of the clients we work with – from engineers to technicians, industrial procurement to QAs – share our interest in these areas. With that shared passion in mind, we thought… Why not explore the ways equipment just like ours is being used throughout the world (and beyond), in mind-blowing ways?
Next up in our Triple T series? Medicine and all the ways metal fab makes it tick!
Precision engineering meets the human body
When you think of metal fabrication, it’s likely aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications come to mind. But, these days, metalworking is having a massive impact on a vast range of different fields, including the medical industry.
Custom implants, surgical tools, and even bionic limbs are being made possible by advanced metal fab techniques like CNC machining, 3D metal printing, and laser cutting.
As our understanding of materials has advanced, and our invention of new tools and techniques has become more sophisticated, the applications of metal fab and metal works in the medical field have far surpassed anything we ever imagined.
Titanium is a prime example. This material has long been favoured in the medical world (and space!) for its unique properties — it’s biocompatible, corrosion-resistant, and incredibly strong for its weight.
In fact, the global medical grade titanium alloy market was estimated to be worth USD 518.68 Million in 2022 according to Virtual Market Research, and it’s expected to grow at CAGR of 4.8% between now and 2030.
We’re talking about everything from joint replacements and dental implants to cranial plates and pacemaker cases are all comprised of titanium.
Not just any material can go into a human body, but thanks to the precision of metal fabrication, we’re seeing custom, patient-specific implants becoming a reality. These implants are 3D-printed to match the exact contours of a patient’s bone, ensuring better outcomes, faster recovery times, and a lower risk of complications.
No off-the-shelf solutions there — it is the ultimate in personalised healthcare.
Surgical tools: sharper than ever
Laser-cut surgical tools are another area where metal fabrication steps into the spotlight.
We all know how important precision is in surgery, and today’s surgeons are relying on metal fab tech 9and a robot or two) to get them closer than ever to perfection.
Think of a scalpel with a blade thickness of 0.1 mm, achieved through high-precision CNC machining and laser cutting. These tools are not only sharper but more durable and corrosion-resistant, thanks to the use of stainless steel and titanium alloys.
And it’s not just about making scalpels sharper. Metal fabrication is producing instruments with integrated functions, like multi-tool forceps, combining gripping, cutting, and cauterising capabilities in one tool.
When surgeons are dealing with time-sensitive procedures, efficiency matters, and these tools are shaving seconds and longer off operating times — time that could be life-saving.
Bionic limbs and prosthetics: armed with quality metal
One of the most incredible advancements in metal fabs use within the medical world is in prosthetics and bionics.
In particular, 3D metal printing is allowing for the creation of prosthetic limbs that are lighter, stronger, and more adaptable than ever before.
In the past, prosthetics were clunky, heavy, and often uncomfortable for the wearer. Now, we’re seeing custom-built, lightweight bionic limbs that fit more naturally and offer better functionality.
In the UK alone, around 55,000 people currently use prosthetics, and advancements in metal fab are allowing those numbers to experience better quality of life.
From titanium sockets that adjust perfectly to the wearer’s body to aluminium alloys used for their lightweight but strong structures, it’s metal fab is playing a key role in creating life-changing possibilities.
And then there’s the cutting-edge integration of electronics into these prosthetics, enabling bionic limbs to be controlled by thought alone.
Neural interfaces where electrodes communicate directly with the brain, give the user control over the prosthetic’s movement with near-natural precision. It sounds like science fiction, but it's happening, and metal fabrication is the backbone of this tech.
Currently costing upwards of $70,000 for a limb, advancements in production will bring down the cost and make more enhanced limbs available to more people.
Whether it’s a 3D-printed titanium hip replacement or a laser-cut scalpel that’s revolutionising surgery, metal fabrication is changing the face of healthcare.
It’s no longer just about building bridges and skyscrapers — today, we’re building better, more sustainable, and more precise solutions for the human body itself.