Medical Device Handle Assembly
MEDICAL DEVICE HANDLE ASSEMBLY SUMMARY
The product was designed for use by a manufacturing division outside of the United States to perform the final assembly step of a reconditioned medical device.
TEAM:
- Mechanical engineer
- Project manager
DESIGN TOOLS USED:
- Solidworks
- Wiring Diagram
- Knowledge of solid-state controls
MARKET:
Medical device manufacturing
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
- Operator safety: The machine was designed to ensure operator safety as a top priority, with multiple safety features incorporated.
- Fully enclosed operation: The machine was completely enclosed during operation to prevent exposure to moving components and pinch points.
- Two-handed actuation: Operation could only occur through two-handed actuation, ensuring the operator’s hands were clear of potential pinch points during the assembly process.
- Top cover safety interlock: A specially designed top cover ensured that if it was removed, the machine could not operate without extensive disassembly of controls and cover, preventing any bypassing of safety systems.
- Cost efficiency: The design prioritized keeping costs as low as possible by using off-the-shelf components wherever feasible and minimizing custom parts.
- Solid-state controls instead of PLC: The customer requested that the machine not be controlled by a PLC, as no personnel in the facility could reprogram it if needed. Instead, solid-state controls (relays, timers, and flow controls) were used to achieve proper machine operation and timing.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
The Pipeline team designed and built a custom handle assembly press to perform the final assembly step of a reconditioned medical device. A strong emphasis was placed on operator safety, incorporating features such as a fully enclosed design, two-handed actuation, and a safety interlock on the top cover to prevent machine operation when removed.
To meet cost constraints, as many off-the-shelf components as possible were used, with custom parts kept to a minimum. In addition, to avoid the need for PLC programming expertise, the machine operation and timing were achieved through solid-state controls, including relays, timers, and flow controls.
The team leveraged SolidWorks for design, developed wiring diagrams, and applied knowledge of solid-state controls to deliver a robust, cost-effective, and safe solution.
Learn about other ways your team can leverage ours to develop custom equipment, fixtures, and automation.
