Avalign Technologies ("Avalign"), is excited to announce the acquisition and addition of Slice Manufacturing Studios (“SMS”) in Akron Ohio. The addition of Slice will herald the formation of Avalign Additive | Slice Manufacturing Studios, whereby SMS will become Avalign’s center-of-excellence for additive and advanced manufacturing.
SMS is a leading provider of additive manufacturing (“AM”) for 3D printing of metal constructs and components for orthopedic applications, employing both electron beam melting (“EBM”) and direct metal laser melting (“DMLM”) technologies. The company is, in fact, one of the leading pioneers in the extensive use of electron beam melting (“EBM”) for orthopedic applications and has the largest installed base. SMS offers a full suite of capabilities including product design, development, prototyping, additive and subtractive manufacturing, testing, Class 10K sterile cleaning and Class 1K sterile packaging. These serve as significant expansions to Avalign’s already world-class array of design, development, and manufacturing services.
SMS is well aligned with our focus on expanding our capabilities, adding new capacity, supporting new customer segments, and improving our costs. In this case, the expansion of capabilities is quite unique, as SMS represents a significant leap-to-the-front for Avalign in AM. Additionally, the conventional subtractive manufacturing capabilities include meaningful and immediate capacity in both swiss lathe and millturn, including very high-end equipment with the ability to hold extremely tight tolerances. Finally, the addition of sterile packaging and testing further expands our full-service offerings. In short, SMS expands the already considerable capabilities in both implant and instrument manufacturing within Avalign, positioning us to support you and your organization with comprehensive, best-in-class services and performance.
This is an exciting step for Avalign as we advance our commitment to build the leading contract design, development, and manufacturing organization in orthopedics.