Fort Wayne Metals reveals groundbreaking new Nitinol melting technology
- Fort Wayne Metals has significantly advanced its Nitinol melting capabilities, doubling output from 2022 to 2024.
- To accommodate increasing customer demand, the company has upgraded its production facilities and is set to introduce a second VAR furnace in early 2025.
- These developments position Fort Wayne Metals as a leading supplier, aiming to meet the growing needs of the medical device market.
In FORT WAYNE, Indiana, on December 16, 2024, Fort Wayne Metals announced considerable advancements in its Nitinol melting capabilities, leading to a doubling of its melted Nitinol output from 2022 to 2024. This significant increase in production reflects the company's strong commitment to supporting the medical device industry, where Nitinol is widely used due to its unique properties. The company has established itself as a fully integrated supplier since the opening of its Nitinol melt facility in 2012, ensuring control over every step of the manufacturing process, which includes melting and custom finishing. As part of its ongoing efforts to meet rising market demands, Fort Wayne Metals recently upgraded its plasma arc melting furnace. This upgrade has doubled production output when compared to output levels between 2022 and 2023. Additionally, a second Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) furnace will be operational in early 2025, positioning the company to meet tighter lead times for its customers and further expand capacity. With these enhancements, Fort Wayne Metals expects to be able to melt as much as 1,000,000 pounds of Nitinol annually. Nitinol is crucial for medical applications, particularly in intricate devices that require precision materials. The company's advancements enable the melting of Nitinol into various forms, including bar, strip, and sheet, catering to the specific requirements of medical device manufacturers. Fort Wayne Metals continues to enhance its production capabilities and aims to be recognized as the largest source of Nitinol for the healthcare sector. Scott Glaze, Chairman and CEO of Fort Wayne Metals, emphasized that the expansion of melting capabilities underscores a long-term commitment to customer needs, aiming to solidify the company's role as a stable partner in the medical device industry. The upgraded facilities are tailored to provide custom-shaped wire, bar, and shape-set assemblies, allowing for the production of extremely small diameters that are essential for current and next-generation medical technologies.