Max Power Life Sciences uses Binder Jetting for Hartmann pliers
Max Power Life Sciences GmbH, based in Friesenheim, Germany, has showcased its Additive Manufacturing of pliers handles, produced for Hartmann using metal Binder Jetting. The handles are manufactured from 17-4PH stainless steel, which offers tensile strength of over 1,200 N/mm2 .
The process enables the handle to be hollow while maintaining mechanical strength.
The reduced weight of the Hartmann pliers results in better ergonomics for users. The company states that this is especially beneficial in surgical environments, where precision and handling are crucial. Metal Binder Jetting opens up new opportunities for optimised instruments.
Max Power Life Sciences GmbH uses metal Binder Jetting to develop and manufacture metal components for the life sciences industry. It specialises in the production of medical components made from stainless steel grades, specifically 1.4542 (17-4PH) and 1.4404 (316L).
Many surgical instruments have complex geometries that are difficult to manufacture using conventional methods. Additive Manufacturing allows components to be designed with optimised function, for example, with integrated structures for weight reduction or improved ergonomics. AM enables the integration of multiple functions into a single component. This allows for the reduction of assemblies, minimised assembly effort, and the development of new instrument concepts.
Metal Binder Jetting is ideally suited for the early stages of product development. Prototypes can be quickly produced and iteratively improved without the need for expensive tooling. For specialised surgical instruments or innovative product concepts, demand is often too low for traditional mass production. The company states that metal Binder Jetting enables cost-effective production for small- to medium-sized batch volumes, reportedly up to 100,000 units per year depending on component size.
