"High proportion of own development work"

For the realization of medical cleaning containers and sterilization trays, LK Mechanik uses laser technology among other methods. (Image: LK Mechanik)

Norman Gaster: "The implementation of custom solutions is becoming increasingly important for our customers in medical and sterile technology. Here, we contribute with a high proportion of our own design and development work." (Image: © Kiefer Industrial Photography)

Stainless steel round wash basins in various designs are showcased by LK Mechanik at MedtecLIVE in Hall 1, booth 935. (Image: © Kiefer Industrial Photography)

Customized sterilization containers as well as operating room cutlery and instrument boxes, which are also suitable for storing implants and endoprostheses, are produced by LK Mechanik in numerous designs. (Image: © Kiefer Industriefotografie)

At his Medtec booth 935 in Messehalle 1, LK Mechanik also displays sterilization, instrument, and prosthesis containers, which are designed as stackable and modular system components. (Image: © Kiefer Industriefotografie)

Especially demanding are the qualitative standards for the design of modern cleaning containers and storage systems for use in hospitals and sterilization technology. LK Mechanik + Sheet Metal Processing GmbH offers a range of services tailored to both current standards in medical technology and the individual wishes of plant builders and users. Using numerous exhibits, the German company will showcase at this year's MedtecLIVE (June 18-20, 2024) the breadth of possibilities it can cover.

As a sheet metal processing supplier for customers in medical and sterilization technology, one must not only be an expert in stainless steel processing but also possess solid know-how in cleaning and hygiene technology as well as hospital logistics. The medium-sized company LK Mechanik is well-positioned in these areas. It operates in its Hüttenberg-Rechtenbach plant with largely digitized manufacturing processes, is registered with the FDA, and, thanks to its long-standing membership in the Society for Sterile Goods Supply e.V. (DGSV), has detailed knowledge of the industry's specific requirements. What this means in practice will be demonstrated by LK Mechanik at this year's MedtecLIVE in Stuttgart, Hall 1, at booth 935. Here, both plant builders of cleaning and sterilization technology and hospital managers can learn firsthand about the range of services the company employs in the development, design, and production of containers and boxes for medical technology.

Standard or custom-made

Visitors to LK Mechanik's exhibition booth can examine various round washing baskets, numerous variants of sterilization containers, as well as instrument boxes designed for storing implants and endoprostheses. All these stainless steel exhibits are either largely standardized systems meeting the quality standards of medical technology or customer-specific custom-made solutions produced according to client specifications. "The realization of custom solutions is increasingly important for us. It involves a significant share of our own design and development work," reports Sales Manager Norman Gaster. LK Mechanik manufactures custom round washing baskets or sterilizer trays, for example, for manufacturers of medical cleaning systems, autoclaves, ultrasonic and hot air sterilizers, or surgical instrument containers. The technical and quality requirements here are extremely diverse. Often, beyond meeting precision demands, it involves manufacturing burr-free edges, rounded corners, or implementing specific mesh sizes and hole patterns. "The production of bases with integrated RFID chips, laser engraving, manufacturing of various lid locks, or the integration of special handles, intermediate layers, and mounts are often part of customer-specific solutions," says Norman Gaster. As seen at LK Mechanik's Medtec stand, the design of sterilization, instrument, and prosthesis containers as stackable and modular system components also plays an important role in implementing innovative project and industry solutions.

High-tech for medical technology

Just over a year ago, LK Mechanik commissioned its new factory in Hüttenberg-Rechtenbach, whose capabilities now benefit the growing customer base in medical and sterilization technology. "We have a modern technology park here for the realization of components and assemblies made of stainless steel and aluminum, as well as plenty of room for flexible organization of our manufacturing. This enables us to delight our customers with product quality, delivery reliability, and availability," explains Norman Gaster.

While the development of innovative container solutions for medical technology is primarily driven by LK Mechanik's 3D CAD and prototyping departments, manufacturing is mainly characterized by CNC machining and fine cutting with laser and water jet, as well as stamping and laser processing, automated robotic welding, and various surface treatment processes. Quality assurance is carried out using 3D coordinate measuring systems. Norman Gaster emphasizes: "Our quality management system is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015, our process and procedure steps are documented and reproducible in our ERP system, and we are familiar with the requirements of numerous key industries – such as medical technology."