Fanuc ROBOSHOT delivers zero unplanned downtime for Sovrin
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FANUC
Fanuc ROBOSHOT delivers zero unplanned downtime for Sovrin
Thanks to their proven repeatability and reliability, FANUC’ s ROBOSHOT injection moulding machines have become a cornerstone of Sovrin Medical Plastics’ business strategy. Over the last two decades, Sovrin has built up a fleet of 34 ROBOSHOTs for producing medical devices and components. In all that time, the Slough-based contract manufacturer cannot recall the last occasion an unplanned breakdown occurred – a testament to the machines’ durability. This is particularly impressive given that the moulding cells operate 24 / 7 for 50 weeks of the year, with some of the oldest units having completed over 40,000,000 cycles.
“ We simply don’ t experience downtime with the ROBOSHOT machines. Their reliability and repeatability have been so consistent that, after 20 years, we can’ t even recall the last time we had a breakdown. At this point, we take their performance for granted – reliability is just a given,” said James Joiner, Managing Director of Sovrin Medical Plastics.
Proven engineering The company’ s Engineering Director Adrian Hill attributes this enviable track record to FANUC engineering, underpinned by a programme of planned maintenance.
“ FANUC is unique in that it develops and manufactures its own OEM parts and has done for many years – a vertically integrated approach that is a major contributor to the high uptime and long lifespan that are the hallmarks of its machines. When we buy a FANUC model, we know exactly what we are getting; from one machine to another, the only thing that changes is the tonnage of the machines. The motors and drives are the same and if you open the control cabinets, you’ ll see FANUC components,” he said.
James added:“ Being able to rely on proven engineering is essential to our business because it mitigates risk, something that is crucial to us as a contract manufacturer. The fact we can say we are a FANUC user is also a key selling point for potential customers. Any procurement people who have done their homework will know that FANUC is the golden standard in our industry.”
On the subject of maintenance, Adrian says Sovrin works closely with FANUC’ s servicing department to schedule maintenance and ensure it gets optimum performance from its machines.
“ Every machine is serviced annually and, during these visits, FANUC’ s engineers highlight any maintenance that is needed. Much of their machines’ reliability comes down to this methodical approach,” he said.
Energy efficient all-electric technology
Sovrin bought its first five FANUC ROBOSHOT machines in 2005 to produce dry powder inhalers for a project that formed part of a global provisioning response to the bird flu pandemic. The company had previously relied on hydraulic machines, and this marked the start of its ten-year transition to clean, energy-efficient all-electric technology.
In 2016, Sovrin opened a new stateof-the-art manufacturing facility for the production of medical devices. With a host of ISO Class 7 cleanrooms and customer-dedicated manufacturing cells, the centre was populated exclusively with all-electric FANUC ROBOSHOT machines – 31 in total.
40 PECM Issue 77