The 2012 edition of Medical Manufacturing Innovations (MMI) Toronto took place October 24-25 at Mississauga’s International Centre.
The show, which is Canada’s biggest trade event for medical and dental devices, was well attended and featured a number of speakers, and conferences on the newest industry trends.
Elliott Matsuura was also on hand to discuss their latest in machine tools.
ontario is considered a prime location for the show due to the area’s strength of the medical manufacturing market. Compared to other North American locations it ranks sixth in terms of size – roughly on par with San Jose, California.
Lauralyn McDaniel, an Industry Manager, Medical Industry Development, with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) was on hand to discuss aspects of the show.
“Medical devices are driven by innovation. Whoever has the next good device is the one who does well,” McDaniel said.
“There is a lot of micro-machining involved, a lot of micro stamping, and micro casting.”
With this in mind, the metalworking industry was well represented at the event. A number of metrology companies such as Mitutoyo were on hand to discuss some of their new technologies such as the Ko-ga-me 3D measurement system.
There were also a number of displays featuring micro machining, and additive manufacturing, as well as a conference on metal injection molding (MIM).
Mitutoyo was showing off their Ko-ga-me 3D measurement system.
Jason Osborne, an engineering manager with Colorado-based Advanced Forming Technology, said of metal injection molding, “We’re getting into endoscopic surgical tools, so things like cauterizers, and staplers.”
“Another big [aspect] is the orthopedics industry. Knee and hip replacement and the tools that go along with that.”
“metal injection molding is a great technology and the medical industry is one of our big growth markets that we’ve targeted over the next couple years,” he said.
SME will also be hosting a show specifically dedicated to micro manufacturing in Minneapolis on April 16-17, 2013. The MicroManufacturing show will be co-located with MMI 2013 at the Hilton Minneapolis.
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