What are the 6 main advantages that Universal Robots cobots provide in medical device manufacturing?

Medical device manufacturing plays a critical role in improving healthcare advances. Medical equipment, such as diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments or implants, must meet the strictest requirements and standards to ensure its safety in use. For the most precise tasks that require flawless consistency, collaborative robots, or so-called cobots, are a cost-effective and reliable solution that increases productivity and improves workplace safety.

Main key benefits that cobots provide to medical device manufacturers:

1.           Addressing labour shortages

Like many other sectors of the economy, the pharmaceutical and medical device industry faces significant workforce challenges. Many companies are struggling to find qualified workers and to retain the talent they already have. In this situation, integrating collaborative robots into an industrial environment is less about replacing human staff and more about optimising the performance of the limited staff available to the enterprise.

In the absence of sufficient skilled specialists, it does not make operational or commercial sense for them to perform repetitive, physically demanding and monotonous tasks. With the automation of medical equipment manufacturing, cobots can take over these operations and help reallocate human capital to higher value-added activities.

2.           Cost-effective and rapid integration

One of the key advantages that cobots bring is their ability to perform a wide range of tasks without the need for complete reprogramming. Medical device manufacturers need solutions that are quick to implement without the need for major changes to manufacturing infrastructure or costly redesign of systems. Cobots suggest a plug-and-play style approach to automation. They are designed for easy installation and integration into existing workflows, minimizing downtime and disruption to operations.

Unlike heavier-weight automation solutions, cobots offer the flexibility to adjust capacity and throughput according to individual production needs, avoiding overinvestment or underutilization of resources. This scalability combined with typically lower maintenance costs ensures cost efficiencies and higher productivity levels.

3.           Flexibility and rapid reconfiguration

Companies specializing in medical device manufacturing must be able to adapt quickly to changing production requirements. One of the biggest advantages of collaborative robots is their ease of reprogramming and repurposing. Unlike traditional fixed automation systems, cobots can be quickly adapted to different tasks on the production line. Manufacturers can easily reprogram the cobot and adapt it to changes in product specifications, demand or new product introductions. This flexibility allows rapid response to market needs without the need for extended downtime or complex reconfiguration.

Whether for assembly, packaging or quality control, cobots can be quickly moved to different areas of the production line, providing the flexibility needed to adapt to different product lines or process requirements.

4.           Efficient operation of the floor area

Just like other manufacturing companies, medical equipment developers also strive to make the most of the available space. Unlike traditional industrial robots, which require significant floor space to operate, cobots can easily be installed in smaller and tighter spaces without compromising on productivity. In addition, they work completely safely side-by-side with employees (after a proper risk assessment).

Universal Robots' cobots are designed with built-in safety features that allow them to work closely with people without the need for large safety fencing or barriers. This helps medical device manufacturers make the most of their available floor space, ensuring efficient use of resources and maximising productivity.

5.           High degree of precision in assembly processes

Cobots provide a significant advantage to medical device manufacturers due to their ability to achieve high precision when it comes to delicate assembly tasks. This is extremely important as the assembly of medical devices often requires the performance of complex assembly operations involving the handling of small and delicate components.

Thanks to their advanced sensors and programming capabilities, the cobots can precisely position and manipulate parts, ensuring optimal assembly conditions. This level of precision ensures that the final product meets the medical industry's stringent quality standards.

6.           Powerful software tools for communication and data tracking

Another significant benefit of cobots is their ability to integrate with existing manufacturing systems. Through reliable interfaces and protocols, collaborative robots can seamlessly connect to other industrial machines and systems. This integration enables real-time data exchange, allowing manufacturers to gather valuable information and make informed decisions based on accurate and up-to-date information.

The software capabilities of the cobots not only facilitate communication within the manufacturing environment, but also allow for complete data tracking. Universal Robots' collaborative robots can capture and record critical data points in assembly processes, quality control measurements, and production timestamps. This is invaluable in terms of quality control, enabling manufacturers to track and analyse the performance of each medical device, ensuring full compliance with stringent quality standards.

If you are looking for a similar solution or need advice on your production and how automation can help you, do not hesitate to contact our sales representatives!