home
arrow
CASE STUDIES

MATI Therapeutics Enhances Manufacturing Process with Meca500 Robot

Healthcare United States Small-Sized Business (~5-99 FTE) Financial Returns & Cost Savings Indoor High Mix/Low Volume (HMLV)
BY: Mecademic
|
Jan 9, 2026
mati-case-studies-tall

AT A GLANCE

CLIENT:
New call-to-action

LOCATION:

Texas, United States

SECTOR:

Healthcare

SUPPLIER:

Mecademic

Mecademic Logo

 

TECHNOLOGY / PRODUCT USED:

Meca500 Six-Axis Industrial Robot

TARGETED APPLICATION

Automated Inspection and Assembly of Ocular Drug Delivery Components

LEARN MORE

Read The Full Case Study Here

Optimizing in-house manufacturing processes by reducing space utilization & cost, and increasing output & company value

5μm
Repeatability for
high-precision
inspection
>1 Million
Units produced
in a single shift
↑↑↑
Production output &
space utilization
efficiency
To address pandemic-related delays from external manufacturers, Mati Therapeutics brought production in-house by integrating the Meca500 industrial robot. By leveraging the robot's capabilities, they optimized their manufacturing processes to reduce space utilization and costs. This transition allowed them to increase output and ensure 100% quality control, significantly increasing the overall value of the company.
 
How Mati Therapeutics Leverages Meca500 Robotics for Enhanced Manufacturing Efficiency and Flexibility

The Problem

 

To address pandemic-related delays and logistical hurdles from external contract manufacturers, Mati Therapeutics needed to bring production in-house. They required an automation solution that offered extreme precision for microscopic components while fitting within a limited facility footprint in Bryan, Texas.

 

To succeed, Mati needed an in-house manufacturing process that could handle the assembly and inspection of microscopic punctal plugs. The challenge was finding a robot precise enough for micro-manipulation that could also fit within a limited facility footprint. Standard industrial robots were unsuitable due to their large size and the requirement for bulky external controller cabinets.

The Solution

Mati Therapeutics integrated two Meca500 robotic arms into the final, most critical stages of a six-station manufacturing process. The Meca500’s controller-less design allowed it to be treated as a plug-and-play component, communicating via EtherCAT for real-time synchronization.

 

The Automated Manufacturing Process:

  1. Cutting: Separates pharmaceutical extrusions into 1mm segments.
  2. Measurement & Gluing: Gauges segments; applies and cures a bead of glue.
  3. Insertion: Places acceptable inserts into the bore of the punctal plug.
  4. Precision Inspection (Robot 1): A Meca500 retrieves the "inserter tip" and places it in front of two cameras at 90°. This provides position feedback to account for tips that aren't straight or uniformly elevated. The robot uses this feedback to orient the tip, assembles it with the plug, and deposits it into a crown.
  5. Packaging (Robot 2): A second Meca500 places the assembled inserter tip/plug onto a preformed tray.
  6. Sealing: An aluminum laminate lid is applied for sterilization.

KEY FEATURES

World's Most Compact Design:

 

Small footprint allows for easy integration into existing lines without significant modifications, saving time and money while offering the mobility to reconfigure for changing production needs.

Market-Leading Precision:

 

Sub-micron accuracy enables the assembly of small medical devices and position feedback/inspection, ensuring products meet rigorous safety specifications while reducing waste.

Integrated Controller-less Architecture:

 

The lack of a separate controller reduces overall size and complexity, simplifies communication, and improves reliability by eliminating cable wear and communication errors.

Real-Time EtherCAT Communication:

Enables precise synchronization and coordination of robotic movements, improving production processes and reducing cycle times through open standard interoperability.

Native Integrated Gripper Systems:

Mecademic grippers are integrated directly into the robot’s programming, reducing setup effort and the risk of malfunctions that could disrupt the manufacturing process.

RESULTS

 

By optimizing their in-house manufacturing processes with the Meca500, Mati Therapeutics successfully transitioned from a CMO to their own facility, gaining more control over production and the ability to adjust to changes in demand. This shift allowed the company to reduce space utilization and costs while achieving a greater output of tens of millions of units annually. With a single production line capable of churning out over a million products in a single shift, Mati significantly increased the overall value of the company, enhancing its appeal as an acquisition target and partner.

0
Products produced in a single shift.
0
Units produced annually
0
Repeatability for high-precision
inspection
Full production control and flexibility to adjust shifts and lines based on market demand.
Increased company valuation and enhanced its appeal as a strategic acquisition target.
Faster time-to-market enabled by the Meca500's short lead times and rapid setup.

Showcase how you achieved real results

Submit My Success Story
No Case Study Yet?