NEWS FEED

Implants made from difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium and nickel alloys are developed and manufactured by Anton Paar GmbH.

A developer and manufacturer of titanium medical implants, Anton Paar GmbH (Graz, Austria, www.anton-paar.com) also has its sights set on the stars. The firm fabricates components that are used in the fuel control systems of the six Ariane 5 carrier rockets scheduled to lift off in 2007. This should not come as a surprise, notes Paul Hofbauer, Department Manager, Engineering and Production Services. If you can make it for medical, you can make it for aerospace, and vice versa. “Both industries favour difficult-to-machine materials such as titanium and stainless steel and demand extreme precision. And they share rigorous requirements when it comes to compiling and maintaining documentation,” says Hofbauer.

Anton Paar offers customers a range of services from metal cutting to precision honing and lapping. It is also globally recognised as a supplier of density measurement, rheometry and CO₂ measurement instruments. This diversity of experience benefits customers, stresses Hofbauer.

“Since we have experience engineering scientific instruments, we can take charge of the development and assembly of systems and complete instrumentation, not just single parts.”

The company routinely manufactures titanium bone screws, plate systems, pans and stems for hip joints, and precision valves and damping housings for knee prostheses. Fixation instruments for bio- resorbable materials are also available.