Medbio is an ISO 13485:2016-certified contract manufacturer of medical devices and injection-molded plastic parts. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, the company operates six manufacturing locations throughout Michigan and New York.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive surge in demand for a variety of medical devices, not the least of which are N95 respirators and other personal protective equipment. To meet that need, manufacturers worldwide are building new factories and installing new automated assembly lines. Two of those companies are Breathe Medical Manufacturing in Kelowna, BC, Canada, and Husco International Inc. in Waukesha, WI.

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, manufacturers of medical devices, monitoring systems and personal protection equipment continue their quest to make products that enhance the lives of all patients.

Clearly defined processes and parameters are highly valued in assembly. But, that doesn't mean there is no room for a little flexibility now and then.

In July, gasoline cost, on average, $3.23 per gallon in the U.S. That compares with $2.27 per gallon in July 2020, and it's the highest price since October 2014. Electricity prices are rising, too.

Industry 4.0 isn't anything new for the manufacturing engineers at Glidewell. The Newport, CA-based manufacturer of crowns, bridges and other dental products has been applying the concept since before it had a name.

Although motors are a fundamental part of any motion system, selecting the right motor for an application is rarely an easy decision. There are various motor technologies to consider, and each has characteristics that can affect the design in different ways.

At the beginning of 2020, Hervé de Malliard, CEO of systems integrator MGA Technologies in Civrieux d’Azergues, France, observed the first signs of the COVID-19 crisis.

Validation causes more headaches for medical device manufacturers than almost any other stage of the production process. For companies certified to ISO 13485, validation is always a costly and time-consuming undertaking, regardless of whether a new process is being set up or an existing process is being transferred.