Before

Cobalt chrome femoral knee component before finishing, showing machining marks and rough surface texture

Surface metrology of CNC-machined cobalt chrome femoral knee component showing surface roughness at Sa 28.91 µin.

After

Femoral knee component after multi-stage finishing with a rough polish surface finish, as specified by the customer.

Surface metrology of CNC-machined cobalt chrome femoral knee component after rough polishing, achieving a smoother finish at Sa 17.83 µin.

Objective

Bel Air Finishing was tasked with identifying a finishing process to achieve a surface finish similar to or better than the customer’s target part, described as a rough polish for CNC-machined cobalt chrome femoral knee components. The objective was to refine the surface while maintaining the structural integrity and precise contours of the implant.

IndustryMedical/Pharmaceuitcal
Part DescriptionFemoral (Knee)
Fabrication Method CNC Machined
MaterialCobalt Chrome
Process TechnologyElectro Polishers, Multiple Methods, Polishing, Superpolish/Utrapolish
Equipment TypeCentrifugal Disc Finisher, Centrifugal Barrel Finisher/Harperizer

Solution

Recently, Bel Air, in its quest for continuous improvement, has developed new and more efficient equipment for improved processing, in a 5 axis Reverse Drag Finisher as well as new media for polishing of new coated surfaces.

Bel Air developed the first Drag Finishing system for femoral, that works on multiple parts in a cycle and in three dimensions, rather than two, allowing for a uniform finish over the entire surface of the product. This method that Bel Air helped developed is now used all over the world, as standard finishing process for the medical industry.

Now Bel Air presents the new generation of ultra-polishing.

If you are unsure what equipment and media you require to achieve your desired surface finish, then send us your part, and we will evaluate it and provide you with a metrology report.