Radial Spinner System Helps Device Maker Eliminate Rework in Critical Lubrication Process

Nordson EFD's Radial Spinner System has helped a manufacturer of single-use medical devices eliminate rework and cut production time by almost 70% in a critical assembly operation.

The process requires a food-grade silicone oil to be applied inside a small plastic cylinder, so that a spring-loaded piston can move freely. Controlled lubrication is critical to dependable operation.

Until recently, workers used swabs to apply the silicone oil, but the results depended on who was performing the operation. “The swabs gave us no control over the amount of lubricant applied,” according to the maintenance technician, “and we were probably reworking nearly 30% of whatever we made.”

Familiar with EFD's precision dispensing equipment from other projects, the device manufacturer contacted them to see if they could help with this application. The Radial Spinner System turned out to be exactly what they were looking for.

The system is designed to apply controlled bands of lubricants and other fluids inside cylinders from .4” to 5” in diameter. It includes an EFD dispense valve, a ValveMate™ valve controller, and a precision air motor that spins a shaft with a small tapered disk attached to its lower end. During operation, the valve dispenses a predetermined amount of fluid onto the spinning disk. As the fluid reaches the outer edge of the disk, it spins off to form a neat stripe on the inside wall of the cylinder.

The Radial Spinner System's ability to dispense a uniform band of fluid in a specific location was a perfect solution to the device maker's problem, and allowed them to determine the optimal amount of silicone needed to ensure that the device would operate properly.

In the new setup, the cylinder is placed in a fixture and raised under the spinner. As the cylinder moves into position, an optical sensor signals the ValveMateTM controller to actuate the valve and spinner, and apply a line of silicone oil in the middle of the cylinder. When the device is tested before it is packaged, the piston distributes the oil over the interior of the cylinder.