The spectrum of products within the medical device industry is very large. But from low-value bandages or tongue depressors to CT scanners, all products have one thing in common: Quality is highly regulated with strict standards.

Continuous innovation in this industry, complemented by the connected and wearable device trend, has led to growth in production. When devices need to be personalized for each patient, the complexity of industrial processes reaches its highest, adding traceability to the manufacturing facility’s top criteria.

Robotics accounts for all these requirements when automating repetitive tasks, improving quality by reducing human error, adding transparency and real-time data on produced batches, and bringing flexibility to the manufacturing process for personalized devices.

The high repeatability and precision of our robots reduce variants in the final product while meeting the demands of production growth. Despite general environmental trends, the number of single-use products continues to rise, amplifying the need for scalability at a time when Western countries face a lack of qualified operators.

Factors like these make robotization mandatory. The initial investment can be significant, but the return on investment is predictable, especially regarding high-value medical devices.

While mobile robotics is now ready to be implemented in factories, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive maintenance are expected to reach the next level. Innovation will continue to fuel the industry, both in terms of products and the manufacturing process itself.

Thanks to the precision and repeatability of our robots, Stäubli completely fulfills the requirements necessary to support the world of medical devices. Our global network of OEMs and system integrators covers all of the specific applications of the industry’s manufacturing processes.

While robots are often used for transferring devices from one station to another, Stäubli robots can also be used for high-value process applications such as polishing implants and machining prostheses. 

Automation is particularly critical for high-value single-use devices, where precision assembly and rigorous testing are central to production. Surgical instruments such as staplers and pacemakers, which often comprise numerous components, require carefully controlled assembly processes to meet the highest quality standards.

The medical device industry is increasingly shifting toward customization, requiring highly adaptable manufacturing processes for products like invisible brace aligners and smart drug delivery systems. Robotic automation plays a crucial role. For example, to help manufacturers meet demand for invisible brace aligners, Stäubli robots are integrated into laser cutting applications. The ability to rapidly adjust cutting trajectories ensures precise customization, allowing manufacturers to accommodate individual patient needs. This customization process begins with an oral scan at the clinic, which generates a 3D model of the patient’s teeth. The model is then transferred to the factory, where robotic automation initiates production. Once completed, the finished aligner is delivered either to the hospital or directly to the patient, demonstrating how robotics streamlines personalized medical device manufacturing from digital design to final delivery.

Precise seam welding cell for helium tight implant welding under inert gas - CAM-guided, product flexible, fully automatic and MES-integrated. Image: Baumann GmbH

As medical device production evolves, manufacturers are increasingly leveraging data-driven automation to enhance traceability, efficiency, and compliance. Connected monitoring systems optimize performance by enabling real-time analytics, supporting industry-wide shifts toward predictive and adaptive workflows.

Stäubli Robotics provides you advanced automation solutions tailored for the medical device industry and broader life sciences sector. Our portfolio includes ESD-safe, cleanroom-compatible, and GMP- and FDA-compliant robots, designed for aseptic and harsh environments, ensuring manufacturers can meet regulatory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency. 

What has long been standard practice in industry is now finding new applications in the field of medicine. Medical robots are on the advance, not only in the production of drugs, but also in the operating theater. If you, as a medical equipment manufacturer, require high-precision, rigid and flexible robots that also meet all the criteria for sterile surgical conditions, we are your partner of choice.

Stäubli Robotics as your partner for proof of concept and research medical projects

Diagnostics is a distinct segment within the pharmaceutical sector. While other segments focus on manufacturing drugs or drug delivery systems and packaging, diagnostics are present in the lives of everyday people.

The advent of personalized medicine, which involves adapting treatments to individual patients’ characteristics and disease states, marks a significant leap forward in healthcare. However, this level of accuracy in medicine remains very expensive. In order to optimize therapeutic schemes and increase the effectiveness of treatments, diagnostic tests are essential. This predictive medicine makes it possible to anticipate clinical responses and adapt treatments for each patient.

Alongside these developments, the market is maturing and being shaped by the same trends affecting the pharmaceutical sector as a whole. The diagnostics segment was also impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, with entire populations taking multiple PCR tests during those years.

The automation of diagnostic tests is not new. Compact machines for applications such as automated plate handling, liquid handling, and storage and retrieval are widely installed in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The drivers are clear: cost reduction, more affordable treatment, the ability to treat more patients, and a lower risk of errors.

A flexible, robot-enabled benchtop cell

The main area for robotics remains benchtop cells, where operators place samples into a feeder, run tests automatically, and receive clear results within hours. These machines, often integrating Cartesian robots, grew out of drivers like the speed and precision of automation, safer solutions for reliable results, and long-term durability. These features align with the priorities of the machines’ manufacturers, but newer requirements demand enhancements such as compactness and flexibility. Single machines with Cartesian robots are designed only for a single test, but automation has evolved toward more flexible systems with compact footprints and advanced robotics.

Six-axis robots combined with tool changers easily perform multiple tasks in a single compact cell. For example, they can handle a PCR plate and then deftly transition to vial handling with only one pre-programmed sequence and tool change. These robots offer various reach options based on the tests being integrated, bringing an extended solution to the market.

To reduce the risk of contamination, the 6-axis robots are also available in versions designed for easy cleaning with various media, including resistance to aggressive H2O2 used for sterilizing isolators in drug production, increasing the quality of results.

Industrial and mobile robots already manage tasks like biobank management, pipetting, centrifuge loading, and PCR plate handling. The automation trend is booming in the diagnostics industry – not to replace operators, but to address labor shortages and meet growing demand. This shift also serves to relieve operators of repetitive tasks, reducing the risk of neuromuscular problems.