In the production of medical devices and implantable orthopedic solutions, innovation in the manufacturing process must be tempered with the ultimate and absolute goal: patient safety. This is the essence of Acumed’s approach to manufacturing innovation, as described in a feature article in the September 2012 issue of Target, the official publication of the Association of Manufacturing Excellence.

As machine shop processes and technologies evolve into 21st century manufacturing approaches, which include 3-D software-driven design/prototyping and one-piece “just-in-time” production, Acumed has adopted a forward-looking but cautious approach.

The Target article quotes Acumed’s director of manufacturing, Loren Blanchard, who says that some innovations, such as just-in-time production, would be adopted sooner and 3-D “ink-jet” style prototype production, while here in plastic, is a few years away for metal. “…it’s not there yet with this innovation” Blanchard says, though he looks forward to evaluating these news kinds of production innovations as they emerge.

Acumed is one of seven recipients of the 2011 AME Manufacturing Excellence Award, which recognizes North American manufacturing plants that have demonstrated excellence in manufacturing and business. The primary focus of the award is to acknowledge continuous improvement, best practices, creativity, and innovation.

About Acumed
Acumed is a global leader and pioneer of innovative orthopaedic and medical solutions developed to improve patient care. With over two decades of experience in the orthopaedic industry, our mission is to aid the afflicted through the ingenuity of our minds, the labor of our hands and the compassion of our hearts. Acumed was founded in 1988 by Randy and Mary Huebner and is headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon, with a global distribution network and offices worldwide.