NuTec employs Epson Cleanroom SCARA robots to automate medical syringe manufacturing

SCARA robot manufacturer Epson Robots has announced that NuTec Tooling Systems, an architect of custom automation solutions, has built a syringe coating machine for a pharmaceutical OEM.

The robots are employed at various stations within the machine to provide precise, efficient, and cost-effective automation to the customer’s syringe manufacturing process.

The OEM asked NuTec to develop a new machine to automate syringe manufacturing using a proprietary coating process, which gives plastic syringes properties similar to glass. The automated process helps reduce costs and makes mass production feasible.  

Brent Martz, director of Sales and Marketing, NuTec Tooling Systems, said: "Epson’s high-speed G6-Series SCARA robots with Epson RC+ software enable precision processes with exceptional repeatability assembly pick and place capabilities. The ease of use and application versatility within the Epson RC+ development environment plus an ISO-3 rating and compliance with cleanroom standards makes them ideal for this project and the medical sector in general where speed and precision are vital to the manufacturing process.” 

Within the machine, the first Epson G6 Cleanroom SCARA robot removes syringes from a tub in preparation for the coating process. After the syringes are coated at a rate of 38 parts per minute, they pass through various inspection stations before they are siliconized, and temporary caps are changed to final caps. They are then x-ray inspected before being added back into a container by a second SCARA robot. A third SCARA robot picks up a full container of syringes, applies an inner and outer cover, and seals it before releasing it to the fourth and final Epson SCARA robot that applies a label with a laser marker.

NuTec chose to synchronize the third and fourth Epson SCARA robots within the same envelope, reducing a production step and creating greater production efficiency.

Scott Marsic, Group Product Manager, Epson Robots, added: “NuTec’s breadth of experience and talented staff help provide customers with a clear vision of custom automation projects. Together, we deliver the perfect blend of innovative, high-performance solutions and design expertise for complex assembly applications in the medical sector.”