Face mask production has been in hot haste due to the explosive growth of face mask demand. As a forerunner in automation for medical consumables, Maider Medical Industry Equipment Co., Ltd. (Maider) plays a key role in this process. Having been in the field of medical consumables and intelligent equipment for 17 years and with nearly 200 patents to its name, Maider places rigorous technical requirements on all its production lines. To address the unprecedented demand on face mask production because of the epidemic, Maider chose to work in tandem with Festo to jointly increase the yield rate of face mask machines and speed up production.
The MD150 is Maider's third-generation high-speed mask machine. It is used to produce disposable flat face masks. To fit into the limited installation space, MD150 adopts Festo's ADN compact cylinders.
ADN compact cylinders are compact and allow flexible installation. Their small size addresses the limited space available on the machine, and the equipment has been designed in such a way that the operator can make adjustments conveniently, thus effectively raising work efficiency and cutting production time.
Maider chose Festo ELGG electric axis to bring stability to the equipment operation and ensure high-speed production.
When using conventional drives in the manufacturing of face masks, Maider is often faced with the problem of knots in the ear loops, which affected production efficiency, product quality, and the user experience. The ELGG electric axis overcomes this common technical difficulty with an innovative open-close push-pull system.
The ELGG electric axis offers speed, stability, fast response, and a long effective distance between the two slides, improving the efficiency of face mask machines. With the ELGG electric actuator, the Maider MD150 face mask machine can produce up to 150 masks per minute, handling the enormous demand on face masks with ease.
Besides urgently supporting the production of face masks, Festo has also helped Maider tackle the huge demand for medical consumables.
The catheter tipping machine was specially developed as an all-in-one fully automated equipment, and requires high repetition accuracy. In the initial design stage, Maider expected a yield rate of 96%. With the use of Festo's products, including the DGSL high-precision mini slides and EGC electric axis, the final yield rate came to 99%, which is nearly perfect.
Festo DGSL high-precision mini slides have been innovatively designed with a high-alloy steel guide. Thanks to the integrated mounting through-holes, the equipment can be connected with just bolts. Besides eliminating the need for additional mounting accessories, the product has the supply port and adjustment hole located on the same side for convenience.
Festo's bold innovations have improved on complex assembly designs, simplifying mechanics while greatly improving work efficiency. Notably, the Festo EGC electric axis has a repetition accuracy of up to ±0.02mm, significantly raising the assembly accuracy and reducing the defect rate.
The joint efforts made by Festo and Maider to quickly respond to the epidemic have showcased the unique values of industrial automation in the life science field. "Festo is committed to innovation in medical technologies. In order to offer automation solutions, support the pandemic fight, and iterate and upgrade future laboratory technologies, Festo will continue to be dedicated to the R&D in innovative technologies, supporting the medical field and protecting lives," says Kroll Marcus, Festo's sales director for the life science sector in the Greater China Region.