The ability of CMG Technologies’ metal injection moulding (MIM) process to consistently produce even the tiniest complex parts has resulted in a contract with leading mandibular advancement manufacturer Somnowell Ltd.
According to the information on NHS choices, ‘as many as one in four people in England snore regularly‘ and one in ten of these have sleep apnoea, a potentially life-threatening breathing disorder, meaning the market for oral devices that combat snoring and other sleep-related breathing problems worldwide is potentially vast.
Established in 2010, Somnowell Ltd produces a range of oral appliances, also known as mandibular advancement devices, which are designed to alleviate snoring, sleep apnoea and teeth grinding (bruxism). The devices fit into the mouth and are worn whilst the user is asleep. They hold the jaw forward in the “recovery position” keeping the airway open.
CMG Technologies has been commissioned to produce the end attachment claws of the arms that hold the top and bottom plates together whilst protruding the lower jaw relative to the upper. This results in the ultra slimline highly popular Somnowell Chrome – a tailor-made device billed as ‘a lifetime solution and the most slim-line, comfortable, and hygienic device available.’
Rachel Garrett, CMG’s Technical Sales and Marketing Director, explains, “The part was previously made from eroded wire using EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining). However, because of the volumes needed and the complexity of the part, Somnowell Ltd wanted to find a more reliable, cost-effective manufacturing method once the device had been proven.”
Measuring just 10mm in total and featuring an external thread and an internal access tube, the parts are now made from 316L stainless steel using CMG’s 3D metal moulding process – which is ideal for mass producing tiny, complex components.
Internal and external threads, logos, batch numbers and more can be moulded into the part – eliminating the need for costly secondary operations, and a wide range of materials including precious metals can be used.
“One of our business associates recommended CMG to Somnowell Ltd and, following the production of successful prototypes, the first set of 500 parts was completed in time for the World Orthodontic Congress which took place in London at the end of September.” continues Rachel. “We are delighted to be involved in the production of an item which has the potential to improve people’s lives in such a significant way.”
Using 3D metal moulding to produce the parts along with the other associated components will reduce costs by approximately 40% when compared with typical EDM costs, with no compromise on quality. The product will also be made entirely in the UK removing Somnowell’s reliance on imported products from German manufacturers.
Somnowell’s inventor, Visiting Professor Simon Ash, comments, “We launched the first Somnowell device back in 2005 and have since experienced a phenomenal take-up of our products with quite remarkable life-changing clinical outcomes for patients from all over the world. The current Somnowell Chrome is the 4th generation device and is made from cast chrome cobalt alloy which is as hygienic as gold and far more comfortable and durable than plastic.
“The volume of product necessitated the need for us to find an alternative way of manufacturing the part – not only did it need to be cost-effective, it also had to be suitable for use in the mouth and capable of being replicated in volume production runs. We are anticipating sales in excess of 10,000 units in the UK alone, so finding the right supplier from the outset was vital.”
Somnowell Ltd has recently achieved FDA approval in the USA for its product so the market for Somnowell is massive and exploding worldwide.
CMG Technologies has more than 15 years’ experience in MIM and works with a number of companies that manufacture parts used in medical devices including Swann-Morton, SRA Developments and DTR Medical.