传统上，塑料医用管手动连接到阀，连接器，导管和其他设备上。但是，医疗设备制造商渴望自动化组装过程。它是由多种趋势驱动的，例如劳动力短缺，人工成本和质量控制水平的提高。

传统上，塑料医用管手动连接到阀，连接器，导管和其他设备上。但是，医疗设备制造商渴望自动化组装过程。它是由多种趋势驱动的，例如劳动力短缺，人工成本，质量控制水平的提高以及跟踪生产的严格要求。

“可追溯性和越来越严格的质量要求是重要的驱动力，” Adept Technology Inc.全球销售和营销总监Rush Laselle说：“此外，许多[集会]申请正在返回美国以克服物流问题，以及知识产权关注。“重新培训”的制造商正在评估自动化，以此来抵消与大多数美国劳动力市场相关的更高成本。”

High volumes also justify investment in automated assembly systems. “This continues to be an active segment of our business,” says Howie Speiden, applications engineering manager at Sortimat Technology, which has built machines to assemble high volume tube assemblies for the past 20 years.

Speiden defines “high volume” as more than 5 million tube sets a year. “High-volume tube assemblies are automated-typically with a dedicated [cam-driven] machine running two or three variables of the tube assembly,” he points out. “Without the volume, it’s difficult to justify [full automation. However], we do receive many inquiries for solutions for lower volume tube set assemblies.”

Speiden补充说：“集合通常由不同的管子长度组成，这些长度由配件连接到带有连接组件的配件。”“为了有效制造，该集合被分为我们的机器组装的细分市场。然后连接该段，完成集合。为了降低制造成本，我们还收到询问以自动化最终组装步骤。”

根据Speiden的说法，自动化管子组装过程的最大挑战是处理单个自动化机器上所需的管子组件的品种，例如管长度和不同的配件。

Robots are one way to address flexibility and quality, while reducing variability in the assembly process. “Robots excel in assembling components within tight tolerances,” claims LaSelle. “Robotics offer greater flexibility than custom-designed assembly machines, [because it] permits frequent product changeover to address the decreased product life cycle [of medical devices].”

“Sortation continues to yield the greatest number of requests [for robotics], as manufacturers typically source tubing externally and therefore have to sort the tubing from the packaging they are shipped within,” adds LaSelle. “Assembly with other components, inspection, kitting and packaging are also areas where [medical device] manufacturers frequently evaluate robotic solutions.”

机器人通常将塑料医疗管连接到带有超声焊接，粘合剂粘合和机械附着（例如夹具）的组件上。

Laselle解释说：“在超声波焊接的情况下，机器人将在超声波焊机中将管道和另一个组件融合在一起，并在其中融合了零件。”“对于粘合剂，可以固定分配装置，并在组装前将零件或管呈现给分配头。或者，机器人可以挥动分配头，并使用机器人的敏捷性将粘合剂分配在零件或管子上。

“The choice between these two methods is typically driven by additional task requirements within the workcell,” LaSelle points out. “[With] mechanical assembly, such as friction, barb or clamp, [robotic applications are] highly dependent on the mechanism used to secure the tubing.”

无论使用哪种类型的组装过程，LaSalle都说使用机器人时，缠结，固定和可靠的采摘管构成了最大的挑战。他声称：“但是，愿景和其他感官投入为许多挑战提供了解决方案。”