For several months now, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges to medical-device manufacturers and machine builders worldwide. Their most common challenge is the need to quickly retool production lines to either make personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers and first responders, or virus test kits for people.

Qulunsalo, Finland-based machine builder Ginolis Ltd. recently met the latter problem head on, thanks to various equipment from Beckhoff Automation LLC. Compact, modular and flexible technology from the supplier enabled Ginolis to convert its production lines from ones that make rapid testing diagnostic test cartridges to those that make COVID-19 test kits.