A 303 stainless steel medical instrument body is completed in fewer setups, which is the real advantage: feature relationships improve because the part is not re-fixtured between faces. 303 stainless steel medical instrument body for robotics work is produced here with simultaneous five-axis machining with simulation and verified toolpaths. The sections below describe what is held on the drawing, how the part is made and what arrives with the shipment.
The parts that matter most are the interfaces: bores, sealing faces, threads and mounting patterns. Those are held to ±0.02 mm, verified against the drawing, and recorded before anything is packed.
Specification
| Process | Simultaneous five-axis machining with simulation and verified toolpaths |
|---|---|
| Material / configuration | 303 stainless steel |
| Size / capacity | 3D contours to 0.03 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.02 mm |
| Surface finish | as machined or polished, Ra 0.8 µm |
| Application | medical instrument body for robotics |
| Inspection | Dimensional report, material certificate, first article report on request |
| Lead time | 7–15 working days for samples, 3–4 weeks for production |
| Minimum order | 1 piece for prototypes, from 50 pieces for production pricing |
Manufacturing process
The operation sequence is decided before the first chip is cut: roughing to leave even stock, semi-finishing, then simultaneous five-axis machining with simulation and verified toolpaths as the final operation. That order is what keeps ±0.02 mm stable as the batch runs and the machine warms up.
Material is purchased against a certificate and checked on receipt, so the composition is known before any cutting starts. Work in progress is identified by part number and operation, and the finished parts are deburred, cleaned and protected before they leave the machine area.
Typical applications
Most of the work supplied in this category falls into the following examples.
- Aerospace structural fittings.
- Impellers and bladed components.
- Surgical instrument bodies.
- Robot wrist and joint housings.
- Optical and camera mounts.
Quality control and documentation
Every batch is measured against the drawing with calibrated equipment, and results are recorded against the part number rather than kept on a scrap of paper.
Material certificates to EN 10204 3.1, dimensional reports and first article inspection reports are issued with the shipment where the application requires them. Calibration dates and measurement uncertainty are recorded alongside every result.
Ordering, lead time and packaging
Quotations are returned within one working day of a complete drawing package. Lead time is quoted from drawing approval, not from the date of enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
When is five-axis worth the extra cost?
When a part needs three or more setups in three-axis work, or when a compound angle cannot be reached otherwise. Fewer setups also means fewer places for tolerance to accumulate.
How are toolpaths verified before cutting?
Every programme is simulated against the solid model, checking for collisions, holder clearance and gouges, then run with a reduced feed on the first part under a dry run.
What file formats do you need for a quotation?
STEP or IGES for the 3D model and a PDF drawing with tolerances, material and surface finish called out. Native files from SolidWorks, Creo or Inventor are also accepted.
To discuss medical instrument body requirements, send the model and the drawing with the quantities required. Feedback on manufacturability is given free of charge before any order is placed.
