Major Expansion for Norman Noble

Medical device contract manufacturer Norman Noble Inc. has announced a significant expansion in its orthopedic implant manufacturing operation. The expansion includes the addition of eight Willemin-Macodel 5-axis contour milling machines, making the company one of the largest providers of single-operation machining to the orthopedic implant OEM market. In addition, the company increased capacity in its Swiss turning and milling department, and made capital investments in equipment to support its quality inspection department.

Dan Stefano, vice president of manufacturing for Norman Noble, says the decision to expand the business was a strategic one and that the new machining technology will be very synergetic with the company's core competencies.

"Orthopedic implants are one of the fastest growing segments of our business," Stefano says. "The U.S. spinal implant market alone is valued at $3 billion with sizable recent and forecasted growth. This additional technology and capacity fits our experience in manufacturing for this market, which requires tight tolerances, complex geometries and unique finishing requirements."

At the core of the expansion are eight Willemin-Macodel 5-axis, high-speed machining centers to machine parts such as spinal and extremity implants, by milling and turning them in one cycle from bar-fed stock to a complete six-sided part. Other methods for manufacturing orthopedic implants typically require additional machining steps that include multiple machining processes. The Willemin center can be programmed to automate the manufacturing process into a single-operation, resulting in higher output with greater precision and quality.

Chris Noble, vice president and chief operating officer for Norman Noble, says the eight Willemin machines will help support the growth of the company and position it as a leader for implant manufacturing both in terms of capacity and capability.

"It has been Norman Noble's long-held vision to pursue markets aggressively and lead through the application of technology," Noble says. "We continually develop cost-effective manufacturing processes that provide our customers quality products to ensure their success."

Currently, the company is also undergoing a $1.7 million expansion of its massfinishing operation to support research and development and automated production. The mass-finishing project complements, in part, the expansion of the company's orthopedic implant operation. nnoble.com