Croom Medical Use Case

Automating complex grinding and polishing processes in medical technology has long been considered a major challenge. In collaboration with Croom Medical, a leading Irish contract manufacturer for orthopedic implants, FerRobotics has proven that sensitive robotics sets new standards even for demanding materials like cobalt-chromium alloys.

Croom Medical has been manufacturing high-quality knee implants for over 40 years. Previously, grinding these complex geometries was a purely manual, physically strenuous process that required maximum concentration and experience. The goal of the collaboration was to automate this critical step to maximize process reliability while sustainably improving the working environment for employees.

By implementing the FerRobotics Active Belt Grinder (ABG), the previously heavy manual labor was fully automated. The patented Active Compliant Technology (ACT) allows the robot to "feel" the surface with human-like sensitivity. Thanks to active force control, a constant contact pressure is guaranteed, resulting in a flawless and absolutely reproducible surface quality.

To minimize process uncertainty, the project began with a dedicated Test Unit in our lab. This approach allowed Croom Medical to fully validate the feasibility and precision of the system before it was integrated into full-scale production.

Key benefits at a glance::

• Maximum process reliability: Stable and predictable production cycles.

• Reproducible Quality: Consistent, high-quality finishes for every component.

• Health & Safety: Effective protection for employees from dust and vibration.

• Future-Proofing: Increased independence from the skilled labor shortage.

Learn more about this groundbreaking collaboration and see the system in action.