Medical Appliances

An iconic-Australian medical appliance manufacturer recently discovered the significant benefits in their operations of a fully-automatic vision-based metrology system to measure small, complex and very difficult to measure parts.

Hi-Tech Metrology was called in to examine the measurement issues being experienced by Cochlear, and to advise on the viability of utilising an optical comparator unit to provide the solution, some of the parts were so small and intricate that manufacturing problems were only discovered when at the final assembly stage. It was discerned that although the parts needed a non-contact measurement system they were far too complex for an optical comparator and instead would need a full three dimensional video-based vision system. Some of the parts were so small that manufacturing problems were only discovered when they went into final assemblies.

Upon further investigation it was discovered that for a small incremental extra cost over a manual system a fully-automatic vision based video measuring system could be used to completely check these small and intricate parts, in all three dimensions.  Cochlear, after conducting their due diligence and talking to other users of similar equipment in Australia, visited the overseas operations of Micro Vu Corporation in California and decided to purchase the fully-automatic Vertex 430 vision-based measurement system.

The equipment has been installed and in operation for several months now and full training and on-going after-sales support is being provided by Hi-Tech Metrology's experienced and enthusiastic Metrology Services Group, Cochlear is extremely satisfied with the equipment selection and the choice in using Hi-Tech Metrology.

They now use the Micro Vu Vertex to measure and ensure that the position of components on small PCBs are correct and to measure the very small battery casing as well as other intricate medical components. Any potential defects in parts can now be easily and quickly detected prior to assembly - reducing scrap levels and enhancing product quality.

The Micro Vu system has proven to be a real winner for Cochlear, they are now able to measure parts that are so small that it would be impossible to measure with unassisted visual or hand tools etc., and it has helped maintain their competitive edge in the global and growing medical appliances sector. 

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