Automation for Medical Devices, Life Sciences, & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Automation Capabilities for Medical Devices, Life Sciences, & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Regulatory compliance and quality assurance are top priority in the world of scientific and medical device manufacturing. In these areas, quality control is critical to consumer safety. Isthmus engineers work with our clients to design systems tailored to medical device automation, pharmaceutical automation, and life science automation. This automated equipment creates a reliable, repeatable process that meets the requirements of the FDA, EMA, WHO, and any other regulatory agency in your remit.
Top Solutions for Medical Devices, Life Sciences, & Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Automated Assembly
We specialize in developing automated assembly systems designed for high-volume product manufacturing, such as pharmaceutical products and medical devices. From semi-automated workstations to fully automated assembly lines, our solutions can integrate with robotics systems, motion control, and vision inspection to ensure every component is positioned, joined, and tested with precision.
Material Handling
Isthmus engineers can implement automation technologies for conveyor networks along with automated storage and retrieval systems to optimize your medical device, pharmaceutical, or life science material handling process. We can develop automated systems to seamlessly integrate with your facility’s existing equipment, such as AGVs (automated guided vehicles) used for product handling.
Packaging Equipment
We help medical device, pharmaceutical, and life science product manufacturers optimize the final stages of production by developing automated solutions for palletizers, depalletizers, wrapping machines, and sorting and shipping systems that will increase packaging and distribution capabilities and ensure full compliance with all required standards.
Custom Process Development
Our engineering team partners with you to design and develop customized manufacturing technologies that meet your specific production goals. From concept to integration, we create automation systems that enhance flexibility, efficiency, consistency, and scalability to help medical device, life science, and pharmaceutical manufacturers bring innovative products to market faster with reliable quality.
Benefits of Automation for Medical Devices, Life Sciences, & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Increased Quality
Robotics systems can perform assembly tasks with incredible precision, and they can consistently maintain this high level of accuracy. Automation ensures strict adherence to all regulatory requirements.
Increased Safety
Because automated systems achieve maximum precision and consistency, your business’ output of reliable products will boost your reputation and keep your customers safe.
Accelerated Time to Market
Pharmaceutical, life science, and medical device automation ramps up production speeds and keeps a consistently high level of quality, empowering you to safely bring your products to market faster – and better serve your customers.
Challenges of Automating Medical Devices, Life Sciences, & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
We understand that adopting automation into your medical device, life science, or pharmaceutical manufacturing operations can bring up several questions and concerns. Here’s how Isthmus addresses common challenges:
Up-Front Cost
While initial expenditure is a significant business decision, automation is a proven investment that delivers returns for years to come. Through automation, you can increase your product output while still carefully adhering to all regulations.
Project Turnaround Time
Automation projects are complex and require several months to complete. We prioritize a thorough process to ensure efficient work and will not rush any project, keeping you informed of realistic timelines from the outset.
Employee Turnover
We recognize the concern about employees leaving after being upskilled in automation technology. As a long-term partner, Isthmus provides ongoing support to all clients, whenever you need it.
System Flexibility
Once you implement an automation integration plan, you’re not locked in. Isthmus intentionally designs flexible systems that can adapt and evolve with your business as your needs change over time, which is crucial as personalized medicine becomes more prevalent.
Medical Devices, Life Sciences, & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Automation FAQ
Which automation technologies should I incorporate?
There are many different technologies that our clients in the health and medical sector have found success with. To name some examples, industrial robots manage sterile filling, vial handling, pipetting, and medical device assembly for complex parts. Vision systems handle automated inspection and product traceability. Isthmus can meet with you to discuss your specific needs, which depend on your production volume, product variability, floor space, and safety requirements. We are experts at developing customized automated processes to fit our customers’ unique needs.
How much does it cost to automate my facility? When will I see an ROI?
There is no set cost for a medical device, life sciences, or pharmaceutical manufacturing process automation, since the cost is highly dependent on which specific automation technologies you choose to implement. Our team will work with you to scope the project and optimize the ROI for your application.
Is medical device, life sciences, and pharmaceutical manufacturing technology flexible?
Yes. Our engineering team has decades of experience creating one-of-a-kind automation plans for our manufacturing clients. We always develop automation plans with the future in mind, and we know that flexibility is key to long-term success. Our automation solutions give you the freedom to scale up, add new products, or change your existing products over time.
How do I integrate new automation technology with my existing systems?
We take the time to ensure a seamless automation integration process. We can implement a plant MES to bridge your new automation technology with your existing ERP and quality systems to ensure full traceability and connectivity.
Should I automate my entire production line at once, or in phases?
The way we approach automation depends entirely on your unique layout and process. Sometimes, working in phases is the best option. Other times, implementing automation all at once is optimal. Our engineering team can work with you to identify an approach that makes the most sense to minimize risk and downtime at your facility.
How do I maintain my automation equipment?
At Isthmus, our equipment is known to last for years, if not decades. We achieve this by designing automated equipment that requires minimal maintenance and is easily serviceable. Our machines come with a manual that includes recommended maintenance plans and spare parts. If you have any maintenance questions post-integration, our team is available to help.
Can you ensure 21 CFR Part 11 / EU Annex 11 compliance in automated systems?
With years of expertise creating automated systems for our clients in the medical and scientific sectors, we make sure that every system we build will meet all necessary standards and support the machine validation effort. While the customer is ultimately responsible for compliance, they rely on us to provide a system capable of being validated to Part 11 standards. This responsibility is a major consideration in all Isthmus automation projects.
Diagnostic Device Production
Automated assembly of a multi-component medical device, requiring in-line leak testing, custom dispensing, and in-line labeling.
Custom Container Handling
Custom tray loading of multiple size liquid containers, incorporating a very small footprint, as well as, quick and easy changeover.
Reagent Test Kit Packaging
Precision dispensing of micro-volumes into test vials, followed by sealing, vision inspection, printing, labeling and packout.