The application of assembly and automation technologies to healthcare products

This keynote paper identifies some of the present and future opportunities and technical challenges for the application of assembly, process control and automation technologies in healthcare including the manufacture of current and emerging medical devices and pharmaceuticals. While healthcare is one of the fastest growing western markets, it has characteristics that differentiate it from other, more conventional markets and presents challenges in both the application of current technologies and the development of new technologies. These technologies are presented in the context of these characteristics. The paper also identifies other related manufacturing technology issues in healthcare, particularly those driven by cost reduction as a consequence of the economic impact of healthcare.