Medical Devices, 3D Scanning & Quality Assurance

The Role of 3D Scanning in Quality Assurance for Medical Devices.
Q&A with Martin Schuster, President, Laser Design at the Medical Design and Manufacturing Show 2015, Minneapolis

Q: What’s driving the 3D scanning market, particularly for medical?

A:Quality assurance is so important, especially in the medical industry where it can be a matter of life. If a part fails, it could have catastrophic consequences. It’s really important to know everything about the 3D shape to make sure it will function perfectly.

3D scanning has typically been applied to a lot of high-end devices whether for cell phones, heart pumps, implantable devices, artificial joints and many other complex shapes. You can have parts that are mismatched or the inability for the parts to function. This is something you have to avoid because when these parts go together on an assembly line they better fit perfectly or the assembly line will shut down, which means time and money will be lost.

Q: Tell me about Laser Design?

A: Laser Design introduced the first 3D scanning technology in America in 1987. We offer 3D scanning systems and services for high-end, complex, high-value parts and components for a wide variety of industrial, medical and other markets that require precision accuracy.

Q: The 3D CT scanner can measure internal and external geometries?

A: Yes, the DeskTom 3D CT scanner is an x-ray inspection system that provides the capability for non-destructive, first article inspection. It’s perfect for small, intricate and/or complex medical parts.

Q: Can you tell me about your portable 3D scanner?

A: The Rexcan DS3 is a desktop 3D scanning solution that’s ideal for research & development, product design and off-line inspection. You can scan small parts and compare it back automatically to the CAD model to show any mismatch between the design intent and the manufactured product. It shows where it’s in tolerance or out of tolerance. This is where we can very easily see the  color map to see if it’s a good part, bad part. If a portion of the part is going bad, then it’s time to look at the mold.

Q: Who are Laser Design customers?

A: The MD&M show is a good example of people both exhibiting and attending that are our customers. They’re making the parts for the big medical device companies or smaller ones. We sell to product manufacturers as well as the subcontractors. Beyond medical, our customers include a wide variety of world-class companies such as Samsung, Toyota, Hyundai, Schneider Electric, for example.

Q: What do customers value about Laser Design systems?

A: Customers need a 3D technology that is fast, accurate and really easy to operate. We offer at +/-5 micron accuracy for plastic injection molding parts, stamped parts, machine parts, die cast parts and critical fit complex shapes that can sometimes be difficult to put together. That’s what our customers say they appreciate about Laser Design systems – The level of accuracy combined with how easy the systems are to set-up and use – this is what’s really appealing. Customers can reduce their time to market with the right solution for quality assurance.