Photofab’s key role in the medical industry
For many years, Photofab has been helping provide essential equipment to the medical sector. This was even before Covid-19 swept the world (remember then?).
In the last year, Photofab has been supporting manufacturers to meet the high levels of demand during the Covid-19 crisis. Our precise and rapid manufacturing capabilities allow us to produce components for medical devices, including:
- Ventilators
- Respirators
- Shims for virus testing kits
- Shims for ventilators
- Clips for medical masks
On the frontline
Our highly experienced team has been working alongside several key supply networks, and we have increased our capacity to allow for further support. We have also invested a lot of money to ensure that we have the most up-to-date technology at hand, ready to deliver the best possible service to our customers, with products manufactured to strict specifications.
Outside of the Covid-19 pandemic, our experience in the medical sector stretches far and wide. Other equipment we have been able to help manufacture include:
- Muscle clamps
- X-ray receptor plates
- Surgical saws/bone saws
- Filters
- Mesh
- Valves for inhalers
- Microscopes
Helping to lift UK manufacturing
As part of UK Manufacturing Unite (#UKMfgUnite), an initiative started last year by UK manufacturers who are looking to help each other get back on their feet, Photofab has been making a massive contribution by producing more critical components and essential equipment in the battle against Covid-19. By becoming a critical part of the supply chain, Photofab has played a key part in helping the UK fight the spread of the virus.
The collaboration has worked diligently during the pandemic, with some of the finest minds helping to bring products to the marketplace in numerous industries. Recently though, the medical sector has understandably been a huge priority.
When UK Manufacturing Unite was formed, there was a request to support the Ventilator Challenge UK consortium, which produces medical ventilators around the country. As we manufacture directly and indirectly to companies, we have been part of the supply chain for some of the businesses involved in this target, including GKN and Rolls Royce. The programme ended up providing over 25,000 devices in total to the NHS; before the pandemic, there were roughly 9,000 available.
We have also been contributing to the supply chain for companies such as Dyson, Mercedes, McLaren, Jaguar Land Rover and Atlas Copco, who have each played a big part in the manufacture of ventilators.
Another recent example involves providing materials to help with the manufacture of Covid-19 tests for Jabil Healthcare, one of the largest global manufacturing solutions providers in the healthcare sector. Photofab supplied sliding rings for the tests, with a promised turnaround of parts in five working days. Following Photofab’s contribution to the manufacturing process, the UK government ordered 5.8 million of these Covid-19 tests, and they were subsequently rolled out in NHS hospitals and out-of-hospital locations across the country.
Working quickly for you
With our 24-hour turnaround on chemical etching quotes, we can provide our customers with peace of mind and can deliver their product right first time, as soon as possible.
Medical work is of vital importance, but none more so than in the last year. Photofab is determined to remain strong, helping to keep production levels up so that our customers can get the materials they want, when they want.
For flat parts, so that we can meet customer requirements as quickly as possible, we offer a 24-hour rapid turnaround service on samples or prototypes. This way you can have your finished product sooner, without compromising on quality.
This service has many benefits, including:
- Full traceability – Throughout the production process, we can tell customers where each part comes from, and what process it has been through. Our real time data allows us to update customers at any point, whenever they may require it
- Prototyping – Photofab is more than happy to make a few prototype parts for our customers. As our minimum order quantity is a sheet of metal, our customers have the option to mix several different designs on one sheet if they require, which saves on costs. Also, our low-cost tooling makes etching ideal for prototyping, due to its flexibility
- Metal manufacturing accreditations – Photofab is proud to have achieved both the very latest quality and environmental ISO standards, thus demonstrating our commitment to rigorous product quality standards and a high level of customer service
- Low and high volumes are available – If you are happy with our prototype, we can make as many as you want, no matter how small or large the size of the order
To summarise, our strengths in the medical sector include:
- Full traceability on all components
- Quick deliveries
- High quality standards
- Full process control
- Complete confidentiality
- 50 years’ experience in photo etching for the medical sector
- SC21 bronze accredited
- ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 accreditations
For more information on Photofab’s capabilities in the medical sector, watch our latest video below, presented by Mark Ingram, Photofab Business Development Manager.
If you have any further questions about Photofab’s involvement in the medical sector, feel free to contact us. You will also find more information on our LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube pages.
