Medical Device Link.

Originally Published EMDM November 2003

Automation Equipment News

An automated form-in-place gasketing work cell automates low-pressure-foam meter, mix, and dispense applications. The Excell 500 work cell from Liquid Control Ltd. (Wellingborough, Northants, UK) combines the company’s C-500 XYZ automation platform with a Decker Excell machine fitted with a ParaDyne mix head. This pairing delivers a turnkey process designed for gasketing, sealing, bonding, filling, and other automated dispensing needs. 

The work cell integrates precision gear pumps and a servo-driven disposable dynamic mixer. Because the mix head is disposable, there is no need to flush it with solvents. Drippage, which is often an issue with medical devices, has been minimized by means of an effective draw-back mechanism. Constant material recirculation ensures precise conditioning. The unit has a colour touch screen and is easily integrated to robotic processes. It features a 20 ¥ 20-in. envelope, a servomotor drive, and ±0.001 repeatability. 

Assembly system cuts lead time in half

Responding to market demands for short lead times, high reusability, and increased productivity, a company has manufactured an assembly system that meets these performance standards. The G05 linear assembly system by Mikron S.A. (Boudry, Switzerland) attains up to 100 cycles per minute, features a 15-minute changeover time, and up to 60% reusability. “It is possible to adapt and to react much more rapidly to product variants and modifications,” says marketing manager Jean-François Bauer. 

The modular system comprises four standardized elements: a frame, process module, logistics module, and process units. The unit also has standardized mechanical and software functions. The system is suitable for high-volume assembly under cleanroom conditions.

Rotary assembly unit automates joining of convex medical part

A manufacturer of special-purpose machinery and tooling has automated the assembly of plastic parts that attach to a patient’s body. The “convexity part,” as it is called, needs to fit into a shaped hole formed during surgery. The use of an adhesive to assemble the product not only permits the part to be shaped appropriately but also allows the use of optimal plastics material. The machine, developed by M S Precision (Walters Ash, Bucks, UK), uses three Festo slide units in an x, y, and z configuration. The y-axis acts as a base upon which the x and z axes are mounted. “The process demands accurate control of the adhesive flow,” explains managing director Mick Stallwood. “We dispense two concentrated beads of hot-melt adhesive, one at a time. For this we developed a four-station rotary assembly machine using Festo pneumatics for motion and a three-axis CNC-controlled adhesive, application head.” The head is positioned over the rotary table. The machine picks up the top half of the assembly and places it on the bottom half, which is the part with the adhesive. Then the assembled part is picked from the table and stacked onto a conveyor. 

Firm builds custom systems

A supplier of assembly and testing systems offers a range of products from individual workstations to fully automated integrated units. AB Precision (Poole) Ltd. (Dorset, UK) has broad experience with linear, rotary, and robotic transfer systems, and offers cost-effective solutions in a wide range of applications. Evaluating each project individually, the company selects the most appropriate technology for each customer. AB Precision is ISO 9001 certified and is familiar with automation validation requirements. 

Modular packaging unit offers flexibility

A new suspension and a flexible modular system improve the efficiency of a packaging robot. The SIG Delta robot and its control, supplied by SIG Pack Systems AG (Beringen, Switzerland), have been integrated into a standard module that requires minimal space. The conveyor system and safety rails are also designed along modular lines. They have their own static design and are mechanically decoupled from the rest of the modules. The new platform has been designed to allow retrofitting of existing packaging lines. Robots are traditionally positioned in cells installed above the product and container feeding systems. The disadvantage of this configuration is that these cells have to conform to the width and design of the transport systems. The SIG Delta robot uses a column-type suspension that allows the user to efficiently position it for the desired pick-and-place operation. Special mineral castings that consist of a mix of minerals and bonding materials based on epoxy resins dampen vibration caused by the robot’s movement. The robot’s clean, chemically inert surface prevents corrosion and satisfies the most stringent hygiene requirements of the medical device industry. 

Robots enhance cleanroom assembly operations
Expanding its range of industrial robots, a company has introduced a comprehensive selection of Class 10–approved cleanroom robots. They include single-axis positioning systems, two-, three-, and four-axis Cartesian robots; and SCARA units. The introduction of three networking options from CPR Automation Ltd. (Tamworth, Staffs, UK) allows tasks to be linked between systems. The units can accurately move payloads weighing from a few grams to 120 kg. Other features include controlled acceleration and deceleration, repeatability of ±0.01 mm, and speeds up to 8 m/sec. 

Automated process facilitates manufacture of gauzes

A company offers a complete automatic line for the production and packaging of gauzes spread with a healing cream. The system, supplied by Eurosicma (Segrate, MI, Italy), is equipped with double-seal units for cross and longitudinal seals. The forming process starts with reels of gauze, which are unwound, and placed on a polyurethane release film. The healing cream is deposited on the film and a second polyurethane release film is applied. The product is then cut into the finished size and inserted between wrapping papers. The pouch is sealed and a quality control system at the end of the processing line ensures that the cream has been evenly distributed on the gauze. The unit achieves a throughput of 180 pouches per minute.

Robot handles small components with precision 

Automated machines are developed for flexible production tasks involving medical and pharmaceutical applications. The Autoplace robots, supplied by Sysmelec (Gals, Switzerland), are designed to rapidly and precisely move small components. Typical operations include the handling and dispensing of powders, liquid solutions, drugs, and radioactive substances, as well as weighing, pipetting, shaking, and sealing. On-line marking capabilities enhance product traceability to the highest standards. Force sensors and vision systems assist in measuring, orienting, placing, or inserting parts. A PC is used as the central processing unit; it offers broad compatibility with peripherals, as well as easy networking. 


Custom assembly and testing units are based on standardized modules

Drug-delivery systems and other medical or pharmaceutical products typically require automated manufacturing and testing processes. A specialist in the manufacturing of assembly and testing machines, Müller + Kurtz Sondermaschinen GmbH (Winterbach, Germany) offers custom systems that are based on standardized modules. Up to 65 steps can be integrated into a single compact system. Applications include feeding, assembly, ultrasonic welding, labelling, and leak testing. 



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