Med-Tech Innovation Measurement
components. To take this interest to the next level he enrolled in an NPL Dimensional Measurement Level 1 course, where he gained knowledge and understanding in being able to question and implement good practice throughout the measurement process. As a result of learning the fundamentals of
measurement, Hanson now understands why things are drawn the way they are. He can apply geometric tolerancing and understand why certain levels of accuracy are required. With every job he now questions what the best approach is and selects the best way to measure, rather than relying on pre-defined routines, this is the Questioning Culture in action, an important part of the Level 1 training.
The course has meant he can work more closely with engineers and has given supervisors confidence to allow him to take on a broader workload, freeing up time and capacity across the board. The result of this is that parts get assessed more efficiently. In his feedback after the course, Hanson said he now considers himself 50% more productive and on his way to advancing his career. This story is typical of the kind of efficiency gains that can be achieved from understanding measurement. It is easy to take measurements for granted and rely on machines, but measurement runs throughout the manufacturing process and plays a critical part in the final product. Having staff who understand what measurement means, where it can go wrong and how to make the best decisions at every step of the way can make a huge difference to businesses operating to high standards. Measurement skills are often overlooked, but improving them is a sound way to improve efficiency, reduce errors and waste, increase business productivity, and respond to customers more quickly.
Owen Mumford’s Unistik 3 range of single use capillary blood sampling devices in production
• Are you using the right test and measurement equipment for the job and how do you know?
• Do you know what steps to take to verify your test and measurement equipment on a day-to-day basis, particularly between calibration cycles?
• Are you aware of measurement uncertainty and how it should be applied when ascertaining conformance/ nonconformance/traceability/calibration/verification as appropriate for the task?
• Are you aware of the implications of getting a measurement wrong?
• Do you know the effect of the environment on your measurements?
• Are you up-to-date on the latest measurement techniques and technologies?
• Do you have the measurement skills that allow you to exceed in your job?
If you cannot answer these questions with a confident
“Yes,” it may be time to conduct a formal review to examine where measurement can improve your business. To evaluate the current impact of measurement skills shortages for manufacturers of medical devices, NPL invites medical device manufacturers to complete the following survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ CGZLL66. All entries will remain anonymous and will be entered into a prize daw for a Kindle Fire HD. The closing date for the survey is 18 October 2013.
References
1. M. Thompson, C. Heneghan, M. Billingsley, D. Cohen, Medical device recalls and transparency in the UK, BMJ, May 13 2011;342:d2973, doi: 10.1136/bmj.d2973.
2. ISO 14253-1:2013, Geometrical product specifications, Inspection by measurement of work pieces and measuring equipment, Part 1: Decision rules for proving conformity or nonconformity with specifications.
Top ten questions you should be asking Senior managers and engineers should be looking closely at the role measurement plays. Below are 10 questions they should be asking. • Do you currently consider the measurement process all the way through the manufacturing process from design through to manufacture and inspection?
• Do you fully understand the drawings you have been given and the relationship between tolerance and functionality?
• Is there a culture in your company to ask questions in order to improve the measurement process?
www.med-techinnovation.com
Pen needle production
NPL is the UK’s National Measurement Institute with a remit of supporting UK plc with the Government’s Innovation Agenda. Part of its work involves interacting with the medical device sector to provide research and development, measurement services, consultancy and training. Take a look at its freely available good practice guides on measurement at
www.npl.co.uk/publications/ guidesnd training on good measurement practice at
www.npl.co.uk/training.
Pete Moores is Training Business Development Manager at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Hampton Road, Teddington TW11 0LW, UK, tel. +44 (0)20 8977 3222, email:
pete.moores@
npl.co.uk,
www.npl.co.uk
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