Case Study
Global medical device company reduces product defects by 20% with automated error detection solution
CLIENT
For more than a century, this multinational medtech company has developed innovative solutions to improve the health and well-being of people around the world. With more than 50,000 patents, the company invests approximately €2 billion in research and development annually.
CHALLENGE
Manual quality control negatively impacted productivity and operating costs
The client required digitization of various operations in the medical equipment manufacturing plant. The client was incurring high costs due to significant errors in printing and low workforce efficiency. Specifically, the company struggled with manually checking the printing quality done on the syringe packages, shelf packs, and case packs. Since these labels are printed in bulk, one mistake would result in the discarding of the entire lot/batch itself. Labeling errors represented a significant percentage of product recall reasons.
TRANSFORMATION
Error prevention technologies dramatically reduced labeling errors
UST VisionBox improved the effectiveness of line clearance operations with an automated error detection solution to identify any misprints, avoiding losses and clearing products for sale. A vision inspection solution virtually eliminated the chances of a product with a labeling error making it into the distribution network. By identifying and removing non-complying packaging in the production facility, we could correct errors more effectively and cost-efficiently. Also, the automated quality control process significantly increased the number of sample check inspections at any one time.
IMPACT
Digital solution significantly improved operational efficiencies
Quality checks of SKUs in the production line improved productivity by around 35%, reducing product defects by 20%.
RESOURCES
https://www.ust.com/en/what-we-do/strategy-implementation-operations
https://www.ust.com/en/insights/quality-engineering-and-testing-trends-for-2023