Pharmaceutical Drug Manufacturers

March 5, 2010
Medical equipment manufacturing has a history of its own. It was in the early 17th century when the first precision medical instrument was used. This very first known medical instrument was used to measure pulse rate with the help of a pendulum made from a cord and a weight. Pulse rate was measured by adjusting the weight until it swung at an even tempo with the patient's pulse. Since then a plethora of pharmaceutical equipment have been invented by the pharmaceutical machinery manufacturers. Centuries of expertise in manufacturing has made the pharmaceutical equipment industry more and more sophisticated. In this article, we are going to analyze the newer trends on which lies the focus of medical instrument industry.

Automation and Robotics

More and more medical equipment manufacturers are focusing on machines that are designed to automate complex and precise operations. These automated equipment can perform a variety of applications including medical device assembly and dispensing, lab automation, machine tending, material handling, packaging and electronics assembly. The evolving manufacturing needs due to highly competitive environment has led the medical instruments industry to manufacture such automated medical devices that are capable of processing multiple workpieces simultaneously.

Pharmaceutical Softwares

In todays computer friendly environment, pharmaceutical equipment industry can not survive without having IT solutions in the form of pharmaceutical softwares that are developed keeping in view the precise IT needs and the intense pressure under which pharmaceutical companies have to perform. There is a software for each and every activity related to different segments of the pharmaceutical industry. Newer and sophisticated softwares are being developed for pharmaceutical sales, stock, and MIS. There are many accounts management software specific to the needs of pharmaceutical companies that prove to be powerful tools for invoicing, inventory control, sales and purchase control, order processing, MIS and accounting. The pharmaceutical softwares don't fall in the traditional definition of pharmaceutical equipment. However, with powerful features to take care of all requirements of pharmaceutical trading and manufacturing, these softwares have become essential medical equipment of modern pharmaceutical industry.

Laser Processing

The advanced manufacturing technology has helped laser processing equipment in maintaining a rapid growth in pharmaceutical industry too. There are laser die-cutting systems that are suitable for rapid prototyping operations. Then there are laser processing systems that combine automated material handling with high-performance direct-drive linear and rotary motion to provide high throughput and accuracy. There are station platforms, made specifically for medical device applications, that integrate laser welding and marking to create a turnkey system. Laser welding and cutting technology for assembling miniature components are used widely in the pharmaceutical industry.