Shifting from Manual Processes to Automation

Sarah SpeltzCase Study, Complex Assembly Equipment, Error Proofing, Machine Vision Systems, Test Systems

nest on semi-automated equipment line

When you think about “automation” and what it means for your business, what instantly comes to mind? Perhaps that it’s faster. It’s ultimately cheaper. It requires less labor. While these can certainly be true, what is often lost in translation is how these benefits impact the quality, accuracy, and repeatability that medical device manufacturers seek. In fact, the most important aspect of automation in the medical device industry is its ability to provide better consistency for your product, allowing you … Read More

Medical Device Assembly and Test System

InvotecCase Study, Complex Assembly Equipment, Machine Vision Systems, Micro Laser Processing, Test Systems

The Challenge Our customer needed a system that would assemble, test, and label their medical device. Using in-process checks, they wanted to verify that all components in the assembly complied with rigid quality standards; additionally recorded data from post-process testing operations was required on all of the devices. The Solution Invotec developed a system that employed lean cell technology in an assembly line approach— incorporating a manually indexing, pallet conveyor to transfer assembled components between operations. Machine vision systems were … Read More

Multi-station Assembly Dial

InvotecCase Study, Complex Assembly Equipment, Machine Vision Systems, Mechanical Assembly Systems

dial system

The Challenge: Increase Production While Eliminating Error One manufacturer, known for their high-quality consumer products, faced forecasts that their current production capabilities could not handle. As a result, they needed to develop a system that could better facilitate part changeover and reduce cycle times—all while maintaining the integrity of their product. In addition, the company was moving production from Europe to the US. To keep costs low, the system had to accurately assemble, inspect, and test their product with minimum … Read More

Vision-Guided Laser Welding

InvotecCase Study, Machine Vision Systems, Micro Laser Processing, Precision Joining

laser welding on medical device assembly equipment

Vision guidance is used in situations where the combination of tolerance stack-ups, beam diameter, and feature size would cause inconsistent welds. The Challenge With Precision Laser Welding When you manufacture medical devices, automotive sensors, and other intricate products, failure is not an option. With tight tolerances and complicated assembly processes, consistently laser welding complex components can be a difficult task to accomplish and maintain over a long period of time in a production environment. The focused spot diameter for laser … Read More