Medical Device Manufacturing Automation

Key Points

Medical device manufacturing automation helps manufacturers overcome rising labor costs, shortages, and supply chain inefficiencies.
A few types of automation in the medical industry include robots, automated packaging solutions, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Using automation in the medical industry doesn’t always mean replacing human labor completely.
Medical device manufacturing automation used to create device packaging replaces outdated packaging components with intelligent software to streamline the packaging process.
AI dashboards make it easier to review KPIs or critical metrics.
Automated medical device assembly equipment like robots can help resolve the labor shortage problem many manufacturers face today.
Automated assembly processes work by connecting your production equipment with all other assembly systems to speed up the device’s time-to-market process.

Types of Automation in the Medical Industry

Medical device manufacturing companies are using the following automated technologies to improve productivity, reduce costs, and mitigate human error:

Collaborative Robots for Manufacturing

Using automation doesn’t always mean replacing human labor completely. Many medical device manufacturing companies use collaborative robots, or cobots, designed to work alongside humans on manufacturing lines. Using cobots for medical device manufacturing gives employees the time to focus on tasks that involve creativity and problem-solving skills. For example, a medical device cobot can handle most tasks related to the heat sealing process for a product, like loading trays and lids from a tabletop heat-sealing machine, initiating the heating process, and removing sealed packages from the device. Using a cobot to handle part of the heating and sealing process allows staff to focus on quality assurance.

AI-Powered Analytics and Forecasting

Medical device manufacturers have access to a significant amount of data, but it’s challenging to locate the correct information for manufacturing and forecasting purposes. Some manufacturing companies use artificial intelligence (AI) data analysis tools to uncover patterns and insights to streamline decision-making. These types of data dashboards make it easier to review KPIs or critical metrics. AI analysis tools also allow you to improve manufacturing processes. Some systems analyze your processes and outcomes to locate areas of improvement, like equipment settings and environmental conditions that may be impacting product quality.

Automated Packaging Solutions

Automated packaging solutions replace rotary-driven chains, belts, and gears, replacing these outdated packaging components with intelligent software that streamlines the medical device packaging process. Many automated packaging softwares are ideal for primary packaging applications, like flow wrapping, end-load cartoning, and form, fill, and seal pouching.

Medical devices have unique designs and IFUs, so as a part of medical device packaging best practices, you must meet specific standards.

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Automated Medical Device Assembly Equipment and Processes

Using the following automated medical device assembly equipment can reduce human errors and speed up the time-to-market process:

Robotic Technology

Robotic technology can help resolve the labor shortage problem many manufacturers face today. For example, using robots for unloading and loading device components into machine fixtures reduces the need for an employee to perform this material handling task manually. Using robotic technology for medical device manufacturing can also reduce costs, increase productivity, and reduce human errors. An example of robotic technology to improve operational efficiency is a packaging robot to automate the sealing process during packaging. Other common uses of robotic technology for medical device manufacturing include assembly, quality control, and pick-and-place processes.

Automated Assembly Processes

Automating your assembly line processes improves productivity. An automated assembly system handles every aspect of your line, from the conveyor system and parts calibration to robotic technology. Automated assembly systems for medical device manufacturing work by connecting your production equipment with all other assembly systems to speed up the device’s time-to-market process. Many automated systems include pick-and-place, sorting, and serialization.

Streamlining Medical Device Manufacturing Processes

At Remington Medical, we’re always ahead of the curve when it comes to new automation trends in the medical device manufacturing industry. We use robotic technology at our manufacturing facility for pick-and-place operations and processes. We also keep up with the latest packaging trends to streamline your time-to-market process. As a single-source medical device manufacturer, Remington gives you everything you need for a successful product launch from start to finish. Contact us today to learn more about our manufacturing processes.