With strict quality standards and specific material requirements, precision and durability are essential. At Ecrimesa Group, we offer advanced manufacturing technologies like Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Investment Casting to meet the demanding needs of medical device manufacturers.

The medical sector demands a wide variety of metal components in steel, stainless steel, and aluminium, each requiring high precision and strict compliance. At Ecrimesa Group, we respond to this demand with two specialized technologies: our Investment Casting process, ideal for manufacturing parts up to 18 kg, and supported by our in-house machining division, and our MIM (Metal Injection Moulding) technology, best suited for producing smaller, geometrically complex components in steel and stainless steel with outstanding accuracy. Together, these capabilities allow us to serve the full spectrum of medical manufacturing needs.

MIM for complex, miniature medical components

For highly detailed and compact components, for example, those used in devices like endoscopes, Metal Injection Molding (MIM) offers a highly efficient solution. This technology allows us to manufacture parts typically under 150 grams, with complex internal features such as enclosed channels or external threads, which would be extremely difficult or costly to machine. By minimizing the need for secondary operations, we achieve precise tolerances aligned with EPMA standards, and even enhance them for critical dimensions. For years, the medical industry has relied on this flexible and reliable technology to produce high-performance parts with consistent quality and design freedom.

Biopsy instruments, such as biopsy forceps, are a typical example of medical devices manufactured using MIM technology. Stainless steel is often selected for its durability, while MIM allows the creation of complex geometries and delivers excellent surface finish, crucial for components that come into direct contact with patients.

To meet the needs of the medical sector, we offer a broad portfolio of MIM materials. Among them is a custom-developed CrCo alloy, specifically designed for the fabrication of prothesis. This material innovation was made possible thanks to our collaboration with CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial) in Madrid.

Technical information on materials and tolerances

You can find detailed information about our materials, dimensional tolerances, and manufacturing standards directly at ecrimesagroup.com/downloads.

Investment casting: in-house melting control for medical-grade alloys

Quality control is a cornerstone of our manufacturing process and a critical requirement in the medical industry. At Ecrimesa Group, each of our companies operates an independent Quality Department, equipped with systems like GOM Scan and Quick Vision. These advanced tools are precisely selected to match the size and complexity of the parts we produce, ensuring accurate inspection and consistent excellence across every project. Regarding the internal health of our parts, we have a fully equipped laboratory with a highly skilled team, where the quality of the material is controlled from the very beginning of the process. 

Investment casting: in-house melting control for medical-grade alloys

Our Investment Casting process is carefully controlled from the very first stage: melting. We monitor key parameters such as alloy composition, temperature, and chemical balance to ensure every part complies with the specifications defined by our customers. With in-house melting facilities, we can fine-tune alloy formulations to precise needs, delivering materials that meet the standards of the medical industry.

For heavier parts produced in smaller volumes, Investment Casting is the ideal solution. Its design flexibility, combined with our in-house machining capabilities, makes it especially suitable for complex components such as surgical instruments, where precision and reliability are essential.

Investment casting plays a significant role in the orthopaedic sector, offering a level of detail and surface finish that surpasses traditional methods like forging. While forging and machining (sometimes combined) are still in use, their cost-efficiency has declined in comparison. For bigger production volumes, investment casting has proven far more competitive thanks to its lower material waste and reduced need for secondary operations.

The part shown in the image above is a component of a knee prosthesis, typically manufactured in stainless steel due to its excellent mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and reliability in load-bearing applications. With recent increases in steel prices, investment casting has become even more advantageous, delivering savings even for lower-volume production runs.

How part complexity, weight and volume define MIM vs. investment casting

Besides the orthopaedic sector, investment casting is also used for higher volume medical equipment devices that are used for direct contect with patients, such as endoscopy, surgical forceps, scalpers, and subsidiary equipment and devices such as operating tables, stretchers, pump components and connectors. The graphic illustrates how Ecrimesa Group applies its technologies based on part complexity, weight, and production volume. In particular, MIM technology is best suited for manufacturing highly complex, lightweight components in large quantities.

We support our clients through every stage of development by offering rapid prototyping options for both Investment Casting and MIM. These solutions are particularly valuable during product refinement phases, allowing for early testing of fit, assembly, and ergonomics, essential aspects for gaining user approval in demanding sectors like healthcare. 

When it comes to MIM parts, Additive Manufacturing plays a key role. It enables the creation of prototype parts without the need for molds, offering design flexibility and reducing time-to-decision. Although these early prototypes don’t replicate the final mechanical properties of sintered MIM components, they serve as an effective resource for shaping geometry, verifying assemblies, and moving faster through the development cycle.

Unlike MIM, prototyping for Investment Casting delivers results that closely reflect the conditions of full-scale production. Although wax patterns are produced in limited quantities using 3D wax printing, all following steps—such as alloy casting, thermal treatments, surface finishing, and coatings, are executed using the same processes as in mass production. This enables a reliable assessment of the final component, both in terms of material properties and surface characteristics. Additionally, dimensional precision remains within the tolerances allowed by wax printing, fully achievable at Ecrimesa Group.

As a reliable partner to numerous companies in the medical field, we comply with the highest international standards and hold certifications including EN9100:2018, IATF16949:2016, ISO 14001:2015, CQI-9, and AD2000 Merkblatt WO for the manufacturing of steel parts using MIM and Investment Casting technologies.   Explore how each technology compares. Visit our blog article: What is the best technology for manufacturing metal parts?

Explore how each technology compares. Visit our blog article: What is the best technology for manufacturing metal parts?