Manz's Fully Automatic Assembly Platform Meets the Healthcare Industry's Highest Quality Requirements for the Production of Smart Medical Devices

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High-tech engineering company Manz AG will support a leading European medical technology manufacturer in automating its production processes. The two companies recently signed a corresponding agreement for the planned strategic cooperation. Manz will adapt its many years of expertise in electronics production to the fully automated production of smart medical devices.

Smart Medical Devices are networked medical devices, such as auto-injectors for insulin delivery, sensors for self-diagnosis or inhalers for asthma treatment, which patients can use and control themselves via display or app. Such devices remind patients, for example, of the recommended dosage and check that it is being used correctly. They can be linked to databases in the cloud or at the doctor in charge's office and significantly improve the quality of life of patients with particularly chronic diseases. To meet the growing demand for smart medical devices, manufacturers are increasingly turning to fully automated manufacturing processes. This is also intended to ensure high quality and the complete traceability of individual products in accordance with legal regulations and the compliance guidelines of health authorities. "Especially in light of the COVID 19 pandemic, the planned cooperation is a great vote of confidence for us," says Marijan Brcina, head of Manz's Electronic Devices division.

Integrated machine concept for complete traceability
For use in the medtech industry, Manz's LightAssembly modular assembly platform can be configured to meet specific requirements. The flexible system can handle up to 60 different production steps, such as laser welding, cutting and marking, ultrasonic welding, screwing and gluing, or dosing and joining. LightAssembly can also be equipped with a wide range of inline testing and inspection systems. "The advantage of our assembly system is the smooth integration of the individual process steps," explains Marijan Brcina. "This enables us to offer our customers high throughput with consistently high quality. Thanks to the possibility of changing the product parameters via software, LightAssembly is also extremely flexible, for example when it comes to small batch sizes or devices that are individually adapted to individual patients".

Manz's LightAssembly assembly system is particularly suitable for the reliable and high-precision production of complex assemblies with varying dimensions. It is currently used in electronics production or in the manufacture of cell contacting systems for electromobility, among other things.