SURGICAL

6. The Manufacture of KMedic Instruments
6.1 The People
Even with all the advances in technology, the craftsmen who make our
instruments play a truly decisive role. They undergo many years of
rigorous training before they are proficient in their trade. An apprentice
system, supervised by master craftsmen who are both experts in the field
and skilled teachers, ensures a steady influx of new instrument makers.
This system also provides for the passing on of trade secrets from
generation to generation. In addition, the KMedic German office employs
its own Chirugiemechanikermeister⎯a master craftsman of surgical
instruments⎯and an instrument design engineer. They work very closely
with our suppliers to ensure that the quality we demand is built into the
product from the start.
6.2 The Tools of the Trade
Since there are thousands of different instruments, the processes
naturally vary. While a typical instrument undergoes approximately 80
steps before completion, we will concentrate on the major steps.
6.3 Specifications
With every production order we place, we specify our requirements on
the purchase order form, specification sheets, drawings, and in some
cases, we supply samples.
6.4 Blanks
Every instrument starts out as a blank, or forging. There are generally
two types: “hot forged” and “cold forged.” The majority of our
instruments are hot forged. Using very expensive, high-precision tools,
pieces of pre-cut stainless steel bar stock are heated to very high
temperatures and literally shaped under the weight of a giant drop forge
weighing many tons. The quality of the forgings is critical, as errors or
poor quality cannot be corrected later in the process. Therefore, we are
very careful in selecting our forgings.
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