From Primary Material to Semi-Finished Component

From raw material to component

Every orthopaedic component starts from a raw material certified for medical applications. From this point begins a journey made up of several processing stages, each with a precise objective: transforming a simple blank into a high-precision component.

At SMB Medical, these stages are managed within the same facility, ensuring continuity, traceability, and control throughout the entire supply chain.

From the heat of forging to the precision of CNC

The first step is forging, during which the material is heated to high temperatures and shaped using dedicated presses. This stage doesn't just give the piece its shape, it also improves its mechanical properties and prepares it for the subsequent processes.

The component then moves to CNC machining centers, where geometries, surfaces, and tolerances are achieved with micrometric precision. Polishing then completes the process, improving surface quality according to the final application.

Each stage prepares the next, progressively narrowing the gap between the initial blank and the semi-finished component.

Quality control accompanies every stage

Quality is not verified only at the end of the process, but throughout the entire production cycle.

Aspects monitored include:

• raw material traceability
• forging parameters
• dimensional tolerances
• surface quality
• dimensional and visual inspections
• final validation

This approach ensures uniformity, repeatability, and reliability across different production batches.

From single processing step to near-finished component

Every OEM partner has different production needs. That's why SMB Medical offers a high level of flexibility across the entire supply chain. Some customers require only the forging of the blank, while others entrust SMB Medical with a much larger share of the process, including CNC machining, finishing, and quality control. The component can therefore leave the facility as a simple forged piece or as a near-complete product, ready for the customer's final activities, such as final packaging and sterilization. This modularity allows the level of processing to be adapted to the needs of each project, optimizing time, quality, and production continuity.

"Precision doesn't come from a single process, but from the perfect continuity between all production stages."

A single partner across the entire supply chain

Integrating expertise, technology, and quality control within the same facility means fewer handoffs between suppliers, better communication between departments, and consistent control of the component throughout its entire production journey.