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CASE STUDIES

SDC relies on automation with Meca500 robots for medical device manufacturing

Healthcare United States Small-Sized Business (~5-99 FTE) Indoor Fully Automated (lights out) Pick & Place, Sorting
BY: Mecademic
|
Jan 13, 2026
SDC integrated several Meca500 robot arms into a machine that automates medical device manufacturing.

AT A GLANCE

CLIENT:
Steven Douglas Corp.

LOCATION:

Ohio, United States

SECTOR:

Healthcare

SUPPLIER:

Mecademic

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TECHNOLOGY / PRODUCT USED:

Meca500 Six-Axis Industrial Robot

TARGETED APPLICATION

Automating the Manufacturing of Endoscopy Scopes

LEARN MORE

Read The Full Case Study Here

Improved precision and efficiency through micro-automation

500%
Increase in
production throughput
↑↑↑
Consistency in
product quality
↓↓↓
Training costs & 
simple programming
SDC developed a compact automation machine to manufacture endoscopy scopes, replacing a manual process that required human operators extensively. By integrating several Meca500 robots, the solution increased production from 4 parts per shift to 20 parts per shift. The Meca500’s 5-micrometer repeatability ensured higher consistency in product quality while its small size optimized factory space and eliminated the need for extensive operator training.
 

The Problem

 

A customer of SDC required small and precise robots to automate several processes in manufacturing endoscopy scopes. Before integrating the Meca500, the client employed human operators to perform repetitive manufacturing tasks manually. Extensive training was required to ensure individual workers reached the necessary level of expertise, and the tasks required extremely steady hands. It was challenging to find enough employees capable of working with such tiny components, and throughput was limited.

The Solution

SDC incorporated the Meca500 to precisely mix and apply a proprietary epoxy blend on critical areas of the medical devices. A vast array of microscopic vision inspection systems were integrated with the Meca500. In this custom-made automation machine, several Meca500 robots perform different indexing tasks using vision-based guidance. These tasks include loading carriers, affixing carriers to imagers, precise placement of lenses, and applying adhesives to lens/carrier interfaces. One of the Meca500 robots is equipped with a tool changer and performs several operations: it applies adhesive with one tool and picks a wiping implement with another. Another Meca500 has a micro piezo electric slide mounted to it, controlled by the customer’s proprietary Matlab program to optimize the assembly process.

KEY FEATURES

World's Most Compact Design:

 

Small footprint allows for easy integration with tiny product parts and small tooling.

Microscopic vision inspection systems:

 

Integrated for vision-based guidance and indexing tasks.

Tool changer:

 

Allows a single robot to apply adhesive and pick a wiping implement.

Micro piezo electric slide:

Mounted to the robot and controlled by proprietary Matlab software.

RESULTS

 

The machine eliminated human inefficiencies in the manual process and increased throughput by 500%, moving from four parts per shift to 20 parts per shift. With the Meca500’s 5 micrometers of repeatability, the customer was able to replicate consistent high-quality processes from part to part. Additionally, the robot does not require learning a proprietary programming language, which allowed SDC to easily integrate the robot and complete programming quickly. The Meca500’s small size and built-in controller took up less space than manual solutions, allowing SDC to develop a compact machine for all manufacturing processes.

0
Increase in production throughput
0
Produced per shift (increased from 4 parts per shift)
0
Repeatability
Replicate consistent high-quality processes
Eliminated extensive training required for high-precision tasks
Quick and simple programming
Minimized use of factory space

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