• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Top 30
    • Research
    • Supply Chain
    • Device Sectors
    • Directory
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Top 30
  • Research
  • Supply Chain
  • Device Sectors
  • Directory
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Reprints
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Cybersecurity Challenges Leave Medical Device Makers Insecure

    OEMs Are Demanding Designs that Challenge Suppliers

    Diabetes Technology Manufacturers Seemingly on a Sugar Rush

    Post-Pandemic Partnerships: A Full-Service Outsourcing Discussion

    Discovering the Value of Surface Treatments and Coatings for Medtech
    OEM News
    Supplier News
    Service / Press Releases
    Online Exclusives
    Press Releases
    People in the News
    Product & Service Releases
    Supplier News
    Medtech Makers
    Technical Features
    International News
    Videos
    Product & Service Releases
    Live From Shows
    Regulatory
    Financial/Business
    Top News
    Vivasure Medical Raises $23 Million in Series D Financing Round

    New Patents Add Value to Know Labs' Bio-RFID Tech

    Ra Medical Granted Patent for Catheters With Expanded Ablation Area

    ReCor Medical Presents Data from Two Randomized Trials

    Nihon Kohden America Launches Life Scope G5 and G5Max
    From the Editor
    Blogs
    Guest Opinions
    Top Opinions
    Cybersecurity Challenges Leave Medical Device Makers Insecure

    OEMs Are Demanding Designs that Challenge Suppliers

    Diabetes Technology Manufacturers Seemingly on a Sugar Rush

    Post-Pandemic Partnerships: A Full-Service Outsourcing Discussion

    Discovering the Value of Surface Treatments and Coatings for Medtech
    Top 30 Medical Device Companies
    Market Data
    White Papers
    Top Research
    Injecting Neurostimulators into Blood Vessels (We Swear, It’s Not Sci-Fi)

    Understanding the Costs of Care in the OR

    Sick of Being Sick: Pandemic Fatigue Flares at AAOS

    Managing Critical Healthcare Supply Chains in Turbulent Times

    To Drive Value, Human Capital Leaders Turn to Outsourced Solutions
    3D/Additive Manufacturing
    Contract Manufacturing
    Electronics
    Machining & Laser Processing
    Materials
    Molding
    Packaging & Sterilization
    R&D & Design
    Software & IT
    Testing
    Tubing & Extrusion
    Cardiovascular
    Diagnostics
    Digital Health
    Neurological
    Patient Monitoring
    Surgical
    Orthopedics
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Outsourcing Directory
    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The

    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Trademark Plastics Inc.

    BMP Medical

    Cirtec Medical
    MPO Summit
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Industry Associations
    Videos
    Career Central
    eBook
    Slideshows
    Top Resources
    3D Printing in Dental Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, and Surgery

    What New Tech Can Improve Your Medical Manufacturing Plant?

    Why Medical Device Firms Must Navigate the Muddy Waters of ESG Requirements

    Medical Device Servicing vs. Remanufacturing

    Digital Marketplaces for Medical Equipment Come of Age
    Companies
    News Releases
    Product Releases
    Press Releases
    Product Spec Sheets
    Service Releases
    Case Studies
    White Papers
    Brochures
    Videos
    Outsourcing Directory
    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The

    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Trademark Plastics Inc.

    BMP Medical

    Cirtec Medical
    • Magazine
      • Current/Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Editions
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • News
    • Directory
      • All Companies
      • ALL CATEGORIES
      • Industry Associations
      • Company Capabilities
      • Add Your Company
    • Supply Chain
      • 3D/Additive Manufacturing
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Electronics
      • Machining & Laser Processing
      • Materials
      • Molding
      • Packaging & Sterilization
      • R&D & Design
      • Software & IT
      • Testing
      • Tubing & Extrusion
    • Device Sectors
      • Cardiovascular
      • Diagnostics
      • Digital Health
      • Neurological
      • Patient Monitoring
      • Surgical
      • Orthopedics
    • Top 30 Company Report
    • Expert Insights
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • eBook
    • Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Research
      • White Papers
      • Case Studies
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Market Data
    • MPO Summit
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Microsite
      • Companies
      • Product Releases
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Services
      • White Papers / Tech Papers
      • Press Releases
      • Videos
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Case Studies
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise with Us
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Online Exclusives

    Connectivity is Enhancing Medtech Automation Capabilities

    SMC Ltd. has developed a module that allows programmers to troubleshoot offsite equipment.

    Connectivity is Enhancing Medtech Automation Capabilities
    Michael Barbella, Managing Editor12.27.21
    The timing couldn’t have been better.
     
    Three years ago, NuTec Tooling Systems Inc. began building a syringe coating machine for a large pharmaceutical firm. The client wanted to mass produce plastic syringes with a glass-like coating to provide an alternative to the more costly glass versions typically manufactured by its competitors.
     
    The machine NuTec constructed included four Epson Cleanroom SCARA robots (developed by Epson Robots), each of which were strategically placed at various points in the apparatus to precisely and cost-effectively automate the syringe manufacturing process.
     
    The automated process coats syringes at a rate of 38 parts per minute, passes the parts through various inspection stations, then siliconizes the hypodermics before changing temporary caps to final caps and subjecting them to a final X-ray inspection. The robots handle the syringes both before and after their glass-like coating is applied; in the final stages, the robots apply inner and outer covers to full containers of syringes and applies labels with a laser marker.
     
    The machine was operational in November 2020, enabling NuTec’s pharmaceutical customer to work with the government and manufacture massive quantities of syringes for use in battling COVID-19.
     
    “Epson’s high-speed G6-Series SCARA robots with Epson RC+ software enable precision processes with exceptional repeatability assembly pick and place capabilities,” Brent Martz, NuTec Tooling Systems sales and marketing director, said in an Epson news release. “The ease of use and application versatility within the Epson RC+ development environment plus an ISO-3 rating and compliance with cleanroom standards makes them ideal for this project and the medical sector in general, where speed and precision are vital to the manufacturing process.” Bürkert
     
    Indeed, speed and precision are vital to medtech manufacturing, particularly as the types of medical devices that can be automatically assembled are constantly expanding. MPO’s feature “Complex Coupling” details the trends and market forces impacting the medtech assembly/automation sector. Al Neumann, automated manufacturing systems manager at SMC Ltd., was among the more than half-dozen experts interviewed for the feature; his full input is provided in the following Q&A:
     
    Michael Barbella: What factors are driving the need for automation in medical devices?
    Al Neumann: Automation is not only a labor-saving tool, it also offers repeatability, in-line inspection, and tracking. Many of the workcells designed by our in-house Automated Manufacturing Systems group feature redundant inspections that check to make sure previous assembly steps were completed rather than finding non-conforming parts at a final inspection station. Machine vision systems and sensors that return analog results spot shifting trends in the assembly process and catch potential issues early.
     
    Barbella: What new capabilities have been added to automated medical device assembly in recent years?
    Neumann: For a few years now, we have included a Remote Maintenance Module utilizing WiFi communication that allows our programmers to connect to off-site equipment. From our offices in Wisconsin, we’ve recently been able to quickly troubleshoot a workcell in our Costa Rica facility resulting in minimal machine downtime.

    Barbella: What are some of the challenging aspects of medical device assembly and automation?
    Neumann: One of our current workcells produce products that will be inspected to USP 788 and 790 requirements. Very little particulate can be generated by motion of workcell components, workcell component interaction with parts to be assembled or interaction between assembly parts themselves. Special considerations must be made in selecting mechanisms used for our build.

    Barbella: How did COVID-19 impact medical device assembly and automation processes or technology, if at all?
    Neumann: COVID-19 has of course, impacted many medical device manufacturers.  Overcoming the labor shortage and high demands for testing equipment kits and components was only possible with automated assembly and inspection cells. Outside automation integrators and in-house teams all stepped up to meet worldwide demands, though machine component delivery times were, and still are, longer than usual.
     

    Related Content


      Breaking News
      • Linear Health Sciences’ Orchid SRV Receives FDA & Health Canada Approval
      • Vivasure Medical Raises $23 Million in Series D Financing Round
      • New Patents Add Value to Know Labs' Bio-RFID Tech
      • Ra Medical Granted Patent for Catheters With Expanded Ablation Area
      • ReCor Medical Presents Data from Two Randomized Trials
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      May 2022

      • Cybersecurity Challenges Leave Medical Device Makers Insecure
      • Contract Design for Medtech
      • Diabetes Medical Device Technology Update
      • Medtech Full-Service Outsourcing Q&A 2022

      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe
      Nutraceuticals World

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Nootropics and Adaptogens Respond to Demand for Mind and Mood Support
      Sabinsa Honors 70th Anniversary of Diplomacy Between India and Japan
      Solvay Invests in Suanfarma’s Vanillin Production
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      DIC’s Indian Subsidiary Begins Construction of Coating Resins Production Facility
      Celanese Declares Force Majeure on Acetyl Chain and Acetate Tow Products
      CPI Announces New Hybrid Professional Development Program for 2022
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      Vivasure Medical Raises $23 Million in Series D Financing Round
      New Patents Add Value to Know Labs' Bio-RFID Tech
      Ra Medical Granted Patent for Catheters With Expanded Ablation Area
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Evotec SE and Sernova Corp Announce Partnership in the Field of Diabetes
      Emergex COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Successfully Coated onto Zosano Micro-Needle Patch
      Thabor Therapeutics Appoints Jérémie Mariau as CEO
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      Aveda is Leaping Bunny Approved by Cruelty Free International
      Bite Beauty Is Closing Later This Year
      Johnson & Johnson Names CEO & CFO of Planned Consumer Health Company
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Nautica Introduces Oceans Pacific Coast Vegan & Sustainable Fine Fragrance Collection
      Dip Powder Nail Brand Nailboo, Expands Into Retail Exclusively At Sally Beauty
      Bite Beauty Is Closing Down Operations by the End of 2022
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      Nazdar Ink Technologies to Manufacture VFP Ink Technologies Electronic Inks for US
      Sun Chemical Heads to Flexo and Labels 2022
      PETRONAS Chemicals Group to Acquire Perstorp Group
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      Essentra Packaging invests in Landa Nanographic press
      Nazdar to manufacture VFP electronic ink for US Market
      SunDance moves into flexible packaging with HP Indigo
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      The Honest Company to Sell Diapers, Wipes at Walmart
      Jim Cree Joins Monadnock Nonwovens
      IFAI Members Approve Name Change
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Paragon 28 Launches Grappler Suture Anchor System
      Paul Stellato Appointed Chief Accounting Officer at Zimmer Biomet
      DuPuy Synthes’ INHANCE Shoulder System Cleared by FDA for Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      Jabil Strengthens Additive Manufacturing Offerings
      Avery Dennison, Wiliot Partner to Build and Scale the Future of IoT
      HP Delivers Enhanced Platform Capabilities to Accelerate Additive Manufacturing Production at Scale

      Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login