Robotic equipment in medical device production lines allows companies to maintain high standards of cleanliness, worker safety, product consistency, and speed. From heart valves to artificial joints to surgical equipment, robots increasingly play an integral role in medical device manufacturing.
Robots Limit Biological Contamination
Manufacturing facilities have long contended with the contamination issues introduced by human workers. Robots allow for the removal of the human element from many production areas. In addition to maintaining sanitary environments, robotic installations have aided manufacturers during the coronavirus pandemic. The CEO of MICRO said that greater integration of robots in workflows helped to limit human-to-human contact among workers.
Precise And Consistent Results
On top of sanitation, medical devices require high degrees of precision. Robots are capable of extreme dexterity that a human worker cannot replicate with consistency. Medical device companies draw upon the robotic developments pioneered by the electronic and automotive industry that turned to robots to build miniature components. New production processes for building artificial heart valves have incorporated small robots that perform highly detailed work on small parts with repeatable accuracy.
Elimination Of Workplace Sharps Hazards
A multitude of medical devices and tools involve very sharp edges. Fabrication of these instruments historically exposed workers to the risk of serious cuts. The installation of robots to grind, deburr, and package medical sharps reduces risks of worker injury. Workers focus instead on monitoring operations while robots produce precision goods at speeds beyond what human workers could achieve.
Robots Aid Industry Expansion
Tecomet Inc. in Boulder, Colorado, is in the middle of expanding operations. In addition to hiring employees, the company will add another 25 machines, including robotic systems, to its new facility. Longer-term, the company anticipates that it will manufacture robots for clients operating cleanroom facilities at hospitals.
In your experience, how has robotic equipment overcome production challenges or expanded opportunities for new business?
ABOUT Tegra Medical
Tegra Medical is a contract manufacturer of finished medical devices and complex components including surgical instruments, needles, and implants.
We’re headquartered in Franklin, Massachusetts and manufacture there, as well as Dartmouth, Massachusetts; Hernando, Mississippi; Heredia, Costa Rica; Altstätten, Hallau, and Heerbrugg, Switzerland; and Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Formed in 2007, Tegra Medical is the combination of four trusted firms from the medical device manufacturing industry whose roots go back for decades. Tegra Medical is a member of SFS.
Our customers rely on our unique ability to integrate common and non-traditional technologies, e.g., laser cutting with CNC grinding and metal forming, to make complex products.
ABOUT Tecomet Inc.
Founded in 1963, Tecomet is the market-leading provider of manufacturing solutions for complex, high-precision products and services for the Medical Device and Aerospace & Defense markets. Tecomet operates seventeen (17) global manufacturing facilities in five countries around the world and employs over 2500 people.
With unparalleled experience in high-precision manufacturing, Tecomet provides a full spectrum of Manufacturing Solutions and Services in the following areas:
Tecomet customers feature a list of blue-chip Medical Device and Aerospace & Defense OEMs. The company partners with its customers to provide innovation solutions, design and development services, and full spectrum of high-precision manufacturing solutions.
Article Sources
https://www.mddionline.com/automation/has-use-robotics-improved-medical-dev…
https://www.dailycamera.com/2021/02/12/boulder-based-tecomet-doubles-space-…
https://www.mddionline.com/design-engineering/can-robot-make-better-heart-v…
