ICT - INDUSTRY NEWS
Micro-Component Precision Cleaning Project by Layton Technologies
A
n international client, specialising in
Historically, the cleaning process had been
the manufacture of precision micro-
carried out on a manual ad hoc basis
components for the medical device
employing various individual tanks and vessels
- Provide a high level of functionality to improve process control and data collection. - Introduce a reliable and repeatable, fully
industry approached Layton Technologies
where operators manually moved components
automated process within limited floor space
Limited - a global leader in the design,
between tanks and exposure time was
and headroom.
manufacture and installation of precision
ascertained using manually operated time
cleaning equipment for the medical, aerospace
clocks.
during the process and to remove the
and specialist engineering industries - with a
The main objectives for Layton, as defined by
extensive risk to operators due to the manual
requirement to rationalise their cleaning, pickle,
the client, were to process precision micro-
nature of the current process and potential
rinsing and drying process.
components, complex tubular components and
exposure to the chemicals employed.
The international client wanted to be able to
sub-assemblies to the required medical implant
Layton performed extensive trials to ensure
manage their forecasted increased throughput
standards:
that the defined customer objectives could
whilst at the same time ensuring that they
- Rationalise the current process into a more
be met, particularly with relation to the drying
maintained a scrupulously clean process to
logical order resulting in a shorter overall
efficiency of all micro and complex tubular
medical implant standards and provide a high
process time.
components.
degree of safety for both the environment and
- Develop a drying process which would
- Remove, where possible, human intervention
Tests were developed with the client to ensure
operatives. They also had limited floor space in
guarantee the removal of rinse water without
that components were cleaned, pickled and
order to accommodate the process.
staining.
dried to the required standard and provide a benchmark for future use.
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Special fixturing design was developed to hold the components to optimise the cleaning and drying process. A comprehensive Design Documentation Package was produced which included for the use of Hastelloy tanks to contain the hazardous chemistries employed in the process and for automated chemical dosing and data logging to satisfy the client in terms of the overall ability of the new system to meet the requirements of the project. The final design resulted in a new, fully automated, multistage cleaning, pickle and drying system, suitable for use in a limited space designed specifically to meet the stringent documentation requirements of ISO 13485 complete with Layton’s unique 5-year warranty. Layton Technologies developed a new project for the precision cleaning of micro-component for the medical devices.
168
N. 60 - NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 - international PAINT&COATING magazine
For further information: www.laytontechnologies.com