Alphaform AG
Alphaform AG: First laser-sinter application center for medical technology
Alphaform AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous Press release First laser-sinter application center for medical technology arises in Eschenlohe near Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Alphaform approaches to revolutionize implant manufacturing – Series manufacturing of titanium implants in layer manufacturing is planned – Application center enables validation of the complete production chain – Simultaneous realization of price- and product advantages Feldkirchen, 21.12.2012 – Alphaform AG will set up an application center for additive manufacturing of titanium implants at the location of Alphaform-Claho GmbH, a fully-owned subsidiary, in Eschenlohe near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Basis will be a M280 of EOS GmbH, which is the worldwide leading manufacturer of laser-sinter-facilities. EOS will in addition support the center in form of application know-how. The required engineering and process knowledge is provided by Alphaform, a specialist for additive manufacturing and orthopedic implants. Alphaform-Claho owns a complete medical technology certification and it already manufactures implants on a regular basis. 'The Alphaform application center complies with all the requirements for getting into a big reference in the medical industry' Martin Bullemer, Business Development Manager Medical at EOS says. 'Medical technology manufacturers can not only test here new manufacturing methods, but they also receive a validation of their complete process chain'. Many people know the principle of the additive manufacturing technique as '3D-printing': The workpiece appears layer by layer. Nevertheless, what is already possible today for the do-it yourselves – using simple plastics and forms – requires a high professional product- and production planning for high quality metal parts with complex shaping and highest quality requirements. For these demands, laser-sintering technologies render possible more complex geometries compared to conventional manufacturing methods. In the case of implants for example complex surface structures support the ingrowing into bones. Another advantage: This new technology allows a wider product variation and, in the future, an even stronger customization of implants without large additional costs. 'Since a while, implants manufacturers have been thinking about laser-sintering in order to produce more complex implants, and many of them have already manufactured the first prototypes', Dr. Thomas Vetter, CEO at Alphaform, reports. 'The weak point until now has been a medical technology validated process chain and a manufacturing partner, to whom one trust the production volume of many thousand pieces'. Alphaform AG, whose subsidiary MediMet GmbH is the European market leader at manufacturing knee implants and bone staples, feels in a good position. The company masters not only the manufacturing, but also all post-processing steps like grinding, polishing, cleaning and quality control. Nevertheless, Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) makes at present economic sense only in this sort of implants, in which the material proportion plays a minor role. At present, this is particularly the case with small and complex implants, which have been costly milled from a massive metal or plastic piece until know. 'For this reason we rely on titanium at present', Vetter says. 'The normal cobalt-chromium, which is used in big endoprotheses, would also function, but it practically wouldn't represent a cost advantage'. According to Mr. Vetter, implants could be completely additive-manufactured nowadays. Thus, it would be a perfect revolution in the manufacturing technology, since additive manufacturing in metals have been used until now just for prototypes and some few special parts in aviation. About EOS Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Germany, EOS is the technology and market leader for design-driven, integrated e-Manufacturing solutions for industrial applications. EOS offers a modular solution portfolio including systems application know-how, software, process parameters, materials and its further development. Services, maintenance, application consulting and trainings complete the portfolio. The Additive Manufacturing (AM) process allows the fast and flexible production of high-end parts at a repeatable industrial quality level. The technology paves the way for a paradigm shift in product design and manufacturing. It accelerates product development, offers freedom of design, optimizes part structures – it also enables lightweight structures – and functional integration, and thus it creates significant competitive advantages for its customers. About Alphaform Alphaform AG, based in Feldkirchen near Munich and founded in 1996, is a production company for complex components and products produced in smaller batches. Alphaform belongs to the European market leaders in prototyping and to the production of series closer prototypes, particularly for the automotive and capital goods industries. The company has a leading position throughout Europe in the manufacturing of orthopedic implants and instruments. Alphaform's shares are listed in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt stock exchange (FWB) under the abbreviation ATF. The core competence of Alphaform lies in its extensive application know-how for processes and materials for the additive production of complex prototypes, tools, individual components and small series made of plastic and metal. The company's activity is focused on the orthopedic and medical technology, automotive, aviation and aerospace industries. The subsidiaries of Alphaform are located in Germany, Finland, Sweden and the UK.
Contact: End of Corporate News 21.12.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP’s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de |
Language: | English | |
Company: | Alphaform AG | |
Kapellenstraße 10 | ||
85622 Feldkirchen | ||
Germany | ||
Phone: | +49 (0)89 905002 – 0 | |
Fax: | +49 (0)89 905002 – 90 | |
E-mail: | ir@alphaform.de | |
Internet: | www.alphaform.de | |
ISIN: | DE0005487953 | |
WKN: | 548795 | |
Listed: | Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart | |
End of News | DGAP News-Service |
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