ABB introduced its industrial robots into Tecnoideal automated systems

2021: Using ABB robots to manufacture medical devices

On November 9, 2021, ABB announced that Tecnoideal, an integrator specializing in the medical sector, introduced ABB industrial robots into its automated systems. Tecnoideal is located in Modena, Italy. It develops, exports and installs equipment for the production of disposable medical products worldwide .

Thanks to ABB's IRB 1200 and IRB 1300 robots, Tecnoideal can ensure compliance with global safety standards and a fairly fast production rate of disposable biomedical materials for dialysis and infusion. ABB robots are able to perform repetitive operations quickly, which leads to increased profitability, while ensuring accuracy and the same quality of production of all products.

Tecnoideal has a long tradition of manufacturing industrial equipment and automation. In 1990, the company was transformed after it was acquired by Medica Srl, one of the companies providing consulting services worldwide for the production of disposable dialysis materials and infusions. Thus, Tecnoideal became Medica's technology division, expanding its expertise in research and consulting and providing customers with optimized automation technologies and solutions. At the beginning of November 2021, the company can help its partners and customers on a wide range of issues: from concept, implementation and design to installation and commissioning.

"We do not consider ourselves only integrators of automation components. We are distinguished by the experience that we have gained specifically in the production processes of medical devices. The filter can be manufactured in several different ways, but only a deep knowledge of critical issues and safety standards can determine the appropriate equipment and processes that will be involved in the actual production line, "- tells Matteo Tedeschini, Tecnoideal sales manager.

Extensive experience within the company helped create the flagship product - a solvent dispenser. This technology has made profound changes in the concept of assembling medical components, as well as avoiding dangerous pollution and contact between operators and waste. After growing  in Italy, Tecnoideal began to expand its business in the United States, where  it has an office in Maryland.

"The big enough difficulties in our work are related to the end product, especially  the product intended for use in hospitals and for contact  with patients. The production of medical products is regulated by strict quality requirements developed to protect those who use them. At the same time, these disposable devices should be manufactured on a large scale and at a low cost per unit, " continues Tedescini.

To solve these problems and see where robotic automation can benefit production processes, Tecnoideal turned to ABB and its Robotics division for help. The IRB 1300 robot was installed in an automated system for refining dialysis filters. His task is to take the filter and quickly rotate it so that four plugs can be inserted on its ends. The task itself is relatively simple, but the robot can complete it faster and with fewer errors than even a well-trained person could do. This helped optimize the production system, making it less slow and cumbersome, while practically eliminating errors.

"Manufacturers of medical equipment are increasingly turning to robots that help them to ensure the high quality of the final product required by their customers. For example, when dialysis filters exit the production line, the covers must always be inserted uniformly and with the same force. Previously, this task would be performed by people, and the staff would traditionally consider such tedious work, which would lead  to errors. As a result, we would need additional quality checks that, along with the additional labor required, would increase the cost of each product, " notes Tedescini.

Analyzing customer feedback, Tecnoideal noted that the small size of robots is important. More optimized than other mechanical systems, robots allow manufacturers to make room  in a clean room - a sterile environment with controlled humidity - or reduce its size, reducing related costs. According to the information company, To America the customer, represented by an international company, installed the IRB 1200 robot from ABB as part of the Tecnoideal solution. In addition to gripping and moving plastic pipes, the robot performs the task of checking and sizing, removing defective specimens, calculating the amount and selecting products for subsequent packaging. At the design and modeling stage, it became clear that the robot would surpass any traditional production technologies, as well as give the customer additional flexibility.

Tecnoideal aims to integrate robots into more of its automated solutions.

"Customers often give us quite complex specifications in terms of safety and efficiency, and increasingly the only way to satisfy them is to use robots. In our experience, the team of the Robotics division of ABB is distinguished by the fact that these are not just suppliers. Together we develop the optimal solution for the task based on  production needs. And every time robots cope with the tasks assigned to them, and many customers now specifically ask us to integrate ABB robots into their automated systems, "- explains Tedescini.

As for the future of Tecnoideal, Tedescini expects increased cooperation between robots and production personnel throughout the production process.

"We have already experimented with intermittent collaboration on the  IRB 1200. Thanks to the Safe Move Pro package, the robot becomes collaborative, slowing down its activities or putting itself on standby in the presence of an operator. This is a measure that guarantees safety in  production areas where human supervision is required. We are also considering introducing robotic sites with ABB YuMi, " says Tedescini.

"As manufacturing, especially in medical products, becomes more and more complex, there is nothing to replace the flexibility, performance, and efficiency of robotic automation," concludes Tedescini.