A Grade 2 titanium plate surgical instrument is specified when strength has to be delivered at low weight or in a corrosive environment. This page covers Grade 2 titanium plate surgical instrument produced for aerospace: low speed, high pressure coolant machining of titanium with controlled tool engagement. Every unit is supplied to drawing rather than to a catalogue description, and surface finish to Ra 0.8 µm is the starting point rather than the limit.
In practice the difficulty is rarely the nominal size. ±0.02 mm is held on the features that locate the part in the assembly, and the process is set up so that the first piece and the five hundredth measure the same way.
Specification
| Process | Low speed, high pressure coolant machining of titanium with controlled tool engagement |
|---|---|
| Material / configuration | Grade 2 titanium plate |
| Size / capacity | surface finish to Ra 0.8 µm |
| Tolerance | ±0.02 mm |
| Surface finish | as machined, passivated or anodised |
| Application | surgical instrument for aerospace |
| 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
Production begins with a drawing and material review. Stock is certified, the operation sequence is fixed, and low speed, high pressure coolant machining of titanium with controlled tool engagement is carried out on equipment maintained to hold ±0.02 mm over a full shift, not just on a first piece.
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.
- Aircraft structural brackets.
- Orthopaedic implants and instruments.
- Motorsport suspension parts.
- Chemical process fittings.
- Marine hardware.
Quality control and documentation
Inspection is not a final formality. Dimensions are checked during the cycle and again at the end, so drift is corrected while there is still stock to remove.
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
Orders start from a single piece. Samples are quoted from the 3D model, and production pricing follows once quantity, finishing and inspection are agreed.
Frequently asked questions
Why is titanium expensive to machine?
Heat stays in the cutting edge instead of leaving with the chip, so tool life is short and speeds are low. Cutting time per part is several times that of aluminium.
Is material traceability provided?
Yes. Mill certificates with heat numbers are supplied with every batch, and parts can be marked for individual traceability where the industry requires it.
What is the minimum order quantity?
One piece for prototypes and first article work. Production pricing usually starts at 50 pieces, and repeat orders run on fixtures retained from the first batch at no extra charge.
Send the drawing or the 3D model for a quotation. Include material, quantity, tolerance and finish, and a detailed quote with lead time is returned within one working day.
