VALIDATION IS KEY WHEN AUTOMATING DEVICE MANUFACTURING

The medical device industry is catching up to other industries in the area of automation for more efficient manufacturing. If implemented properly, automation can yield higher quality products, but all processes must be validated and there may have to be compromise on production line speed, experts agree.

"Ultrasonic welding of metals and plastics, laser processing and resistance welding are processes commonly used in manufacturing medical devices, and these welding processes are easily automated," said Candice Mehmetli, business development manager for the medical industry at the Edison Welding Institute.

High volume Class I supplies, such as bandages, syringes and nonwoven items, are "the most automated," said Corinne Gangloff of the Freedonia Group. "The medical industry has a rather high level of automation due to its high-volume production," Lori Logan, marketing manager at Deprag, said.

( http://www.fdanews.com/ddl/34_9/ )