Engineered shapes for demanding applications
Medical devices often need to navigate tight spaces, deploy predictably, and perform consistently once they're in place. That's a challenge for traditional materials, but Nitinol shape-set parts can help solve it through shape memory.
With carefully controlled heat-treatment processes, Nitinol can be trained to retain a predetermined shape, creating high-performance components engineered for precise deployment in demanding applications, including stents, retrieval baskets, surgical clips, suture retrievers, and more. Whether you need a simple bend or a highly complex geometry, our teams are committed to developing shape-set solutions that align with your application requirements.
Achieving these complex geometries requires more than heat treatment alone. It starts with tooling. At Fort Wayne Metals, engineers design and build the fixtures and tooling used to create custom shape-set parts. Because our in-house tooling engineers work closely with our Nitinol experts, they can quickly address design challenges, accelerate development cycles, and support a smoother path from concept to production. Instead of coordinating across multiple suppliers, you gain direct access to specialized engineering knowledge and manufacturing expertise throughout development.
Our technical expertise is backed by an integrated manufacturing approach. From Nitinol melting and wire production to shape setting, mechanical assembly, and testing, key capabilities come together under one roof. This vertical integration helps simplify supply chains and support consistency throughout product development. And with recent investments to expand our shape-setting capabilities, we're well positioned to support your growing Nitinol needs.
No matter the application, we can shape set a variety of product forms, including:
• Flat wire
• HHS® tube
• Round wire
• Shaped wire
• Strands & cables
Let’s take things a step further by understanding available grades. The ideal Nitinol grade depends on the intended application, with transformation temperatures ranging from -20 °C to ≥ 85 °C [5 °F to +212 °F]. We can shape set in round wire form in sizes from 0.0254 mm to 2.000 mm [0.001 in to 0.0787 in].
Shape setting is also increasingly integrated with value-added operations, particularly mechanical assembly. Our in-house capabilities enable us to customize shape-set materials with end treatments, fittings, and crimps, delivering components that are closer to their final form. Additional value-added capabilities include flattening, coining, welding, EDM processing, and material testing.
With decades of Nitinol experience, expanded resources, and continued investment in our capabilities, we are ready to deliver highly engineered shape-set parts that help bring your devices to life.
Discover how custom shape-set parts can support predictable deployment and performance. Reach out to a sales representative or visit the Nitinol shape-set parts webpage to learn more.
Categories: Nitinol innovations, Advanced manufacturing, Medical Device Innovation
Share this post
