Why More and More Medical Device Companies Turn to Manufacturing Automation Companies

Automation has been a popular resource in the manufacturing industry for a long time now. There are so many areas of manufacturing where automation can prove extremely helpful, which is why so many companies have adopted it into their process. That being said, the shift of medical device manufacturers toward manufacturing automation companies has been more gradual. Recently, however, we have seen a spike in sales of automated machines for medical device manufacturing. 

So, why has it taken so long for the medical industry to hop on the train? There are factors that set medical manufacturing apart from other kinds of manufacturing, which means that adopting automation technology comes with some additional obstacles. 

Obstacles for Medical Device Manufacturing Automation Companies

Unlike other industries, the use of robotics in medical device manufacturing is applied in very specialized areas. Other industries use automated machines designed specifically for their product (consider vehicle manufacturing) to increase the quality and efficiency of production. This is not the case in medical devices, because of the diverse range of products and equipment that are being produced. There cannot be just one machine to finish the job, because there are hundreds of jobs needing to be done on hundreds of types of products. 

Medical products vary in size, material, function, quantity and much more. Moreover, these products have strict guidelines for quality control, creating additional complexity for the automation process. 

Another obstacle lies in the cost of manufacturing automation companies. To adopt automated processes in any company, but especially in a medical device manufacturing company, means making a significant investment. Not only will the initial cost of the equipment be substantial, but manufacturers also have to weigh the cost of accommodating the ever-changing needs of the medical industry. 

Is Automation Worth It?

So if medical device manufacturers face challenges in working with manufacturing automation companies, is the benefit really worth it? It must be, or so many companies wouldn’t be taking the risk.

Despite all of the obstacles that come with medical device manufacturing automation, the benefits actually do outweigh the costs. The reason it has become so popular lately is not only for the increased cost-effectiveness, efficiency, quality, speediness, etc. for companies, but also the fact that technology is growing smarter by the day, which makes the obstacles less and less difficult to overcome. 

With the automation process becoming cheaper and easier to implement in the medical industry, automation is a life-changing tool that will help the manufacturing process become infinitely more effective.

Working With Manufacturing Automation Companies? 

While the obstacles make the process seem scary, it is clear that the outcome makes it worth it. The good thing is, you don’t have to go it alone. AMS is here to help with your transition to make it smoother in every way possible. If you would like more information on manufacturing automation and whether it is the right choice for you, you can contact us or book a virtual meeting to discuss it further with one of our specialists.