In the biomedical segment, Marposs is primarily focused on what we consider two main segments, disposable products, as bloodlines, dialysis products, flexible pouches, syringes, filters, and glass or plastic bottles. These are products that are normally used outside the body or inserted for temporary purposes and products designed to contain a consumable product like a plastic pill container or glass bottle.
Implants are considered long-term or extended use products that are inserted in the body like joint replacement products or surgical pins, screws and nails.
Marposs biomedical solutions can be used manually where an operator installs a part into the testing position for the type of instrument or sensor and then initiates the test cycle.
Marposs Optoflash: Fast, precise, complete optical inspection
The Marposs Optoflash is used to measure items like nails, pins and screws. The Optoflash is normally manually loaded, an operator loads the part into a tool holder and presses a start button. The tool holder rotates 360 degrees while 2D measurements are taken, creating a data file allowing a single combined image to be generated with hundreds of measurements. Those hundreds of measurements are used to verify if the part is within defined tolerances.
The OptoFlash is typically taking 100+ static measurements within a few seconds. It will generate a test file with all the measurements for generating a combined image with no gaps or inconsistencies that can be stored for future reference or statistical analysis and to verify if the part is within predefined tolerances.
This birth history allows for complete traceability using data analysis that could be used to see if the manufacturing process is trending or in the event of an unforeseen problem at a later date, what was the condition when the part was inspected.
Thread Inspection
Thread inspection tools allow an operator to verify that the treads have been made correctly and that when used will travel the full length and not bind. This helps ensure that connections made will be tight and functional.
Automating the Process
Marposs also automates that same technology into a turn-key automatic system where the operator is only needed to fill a parts hopper every 7 hours. A recent system for surgical implants consisted of four automatic stations.
Marposs FlexiFeed: modular and flexible Robotic Sorting & Part Feeding
Marposs uses a standard modular and flexible FlexiFeed robot - which consists of a turning table, six-axis robot and a vision system - to individually find and then place a part into the different inspection stations while being fed from a common parts hopper. An operator loads up to 7 hours-worth of parts into the hopper and the FlexiFeed selects and identifies the component and selects the predefined recipe matrix which defines what needs to be tested and measured before presenting it to the first station.
Cleaning & Orientation Station
FlexiFeed first puts the CUT (Component Under Test) into a cleaning station that uses a vacuum to remove all dust and debris. This system is not intended to test wet or oily parts that would impact test and inspection results. After removing the debris, the CUT is placed in an orientation station to get it into position for the next visual inspection station.
Extensive and fine dimensional Measurement
The OptoFlash can be used manually where an operator inserts the part, but in this system, Marposs is using the FlexiFeed robot to load the part into a special fixture that will allow the OptoFlash to create the measurement inspection file. Most of the pins and screws are inspected for diameter, length, radius roundness chamfer and pitch. Each article will have its recipe for how many, where and how many of the inspections that will be needed, and these measurements are easily set up using the OptoFlash toolbox which has predefined measurement types.
Dynamic Inspection: Functional Thread Inspection
After the dimensional inspection, FlexiFeed moves the CUT to the thread checking station. This station is a dynamic inspection of the threads verifying not only proper fit and travel distance, but the proper level of torque required, which is not dependent on the operator for a sense of feel.
FlexiFeed places the CUT into a special custom-designed tool holder mounted to a track that moves the CUT to one of three different types of manual thread masters, each integrated with a Marposs torque spindle to verify the proper dynamic parameters and store those data points for analysis.
After completion of the torque and thread inspection, FlexiFeed places the parts into either an accept or reject bin depending on the inspection results.
FlexiFeed: Flexibility and Modularity
The flexibility of the Marposs FlexiFeed system will work equally well for dental Implant hardware, but the modular design also allows for systems with other automated inspection requirements outside of implants.
Marposs FlexiFeed can also be set up for disposable medical products. Replacing the dimensional inspection station with a leak test instrument and associated sealing components allows for pressure decay or mass flow testing of many different types of medical devices. Adding Marposs laser micrometers allows for accurate, simple diameter and roundness measurements for cylindrical parts.
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