Precision That Matters: Swiss Machining for Stent Manufacturing
Mark Kiviahde
|
When it comes to manufacturing cardiovascular stents, precision isn’t just a metric—it’s a matter of patient safety. Every feature, every cut, and every tolerance determines how the device performs inside the human body. That’s why Swiss machining has become the gold standard for producing stent components and tooling.
At Pezo Solutions, our Swiss machining team supports medical manufacturers who demand sub-micron accuracy, repeatability, and flexibility across their production lines.
Why Swiss Machining?
Swiss machining, or Swiss-type turning, was originally developed for watchmaking—an industry obsessed with precision. Its unique design allows the part to be supported close to the cutting tool, virtually eliminating deflection. That makes it ideal for slender, intricate components like stent mandrels, bushings, and other catheter-line tooling.
Unlike traditional lathes, Swiss machines perform multiple operations in one setup. That means less handling, fewer errors, and perfect concentricity—batch after batch.
The Cleanroom Connection
In medical manufacturing, every process must align with validated cleanroom protocols. Pezo’s machining environment supports these requirements, ensuring all parts are made, cleaned, and handled to meet device-class standards.
Our Swiss machining feeds directly into the cleanroom production ecosystem—supporting inline laser-cutting, coating, and inspection processes. When a stent or guidewire component moves from prototype to production, we’re already aligned with the same quality and traceability expectations as our clients.
Precision That Improves Yield
For many stent manufacturers, yield loss comes from minute inconsistencies: a bushing that’s a micron too tight, a holding fixture with the wrong surface finish, or an ID/OD mismatch that builds friction into the process.
Pezo’s Swiss machining capabilities directly address these issues. We routinely hold tolerances within ±0.0001 inches, delivering friction-fit parts that improve alignment, extend tool life, and reduce scrap. One client saw a 30% increase in yield after switching to Pezo for critical stent tooling components.
Engineering Support, Not Just Machining
Most machine shops make parts. Pezo designs solutions.
Our engineers work directly with process and manufacturing engineers to refine drawings, suggest tolerance changes, and optimize materials for both machining and function. That collaboration ensures the part doesn’t just meet spec—it performs better in the system it was designed for.
From Prototype to Production
Whether you’re building a prototype fixture or scaling full production tooling, Pezo’s integrated Swiss and milling centers make it possible to iterate fast and transition seamlessly.
We handle everything from prototype runs of 10 parts to ongoing production in the tens of thousands—all with the same precision and documentation standards.
The Takeaway
Swiss machining isn’t just about cutting metal—it’s about enabling medical innovation. For stent and catheter manufacturers, the difference between a “good” part and a great one shows up in yield, efficiency, and patient outcomes.
At Pezo, we bring the art of precision and the science of process together—helping the world’s leading device makers keep improving what matters most.
