Designing Adhesive Components for More Efficient Medical Device Assembly

Selecting the right adhesive is important in medical device manufacturing. But how that adhesive component is designed can have just as much impact on the production floor.

A component may perform exactly as intended once installed, but if operators struggle to remove a liner, orient the part or position it consistently, the design can create unnecessary assembly time and variation.

That’s why adhesive component design should consider not only what the part needs to do, but how it will be applied.

Small Design Decisions Can Make a Big Difference

Custom converting allows adhesive components to be designed around the assembly process.

Something as simple as adding a pull tab can make a liner easier to remove. A split liner may allow an operator to position part of a component before exposing the entire adhesive surface. Registration features can help with alignment, while consistent part orientation can reduce handling and application errors.

Individually, these may seem like minor details. Across thousands of assemblies, however, small improvements can contribute to a more efficient and repeatable process.

Designing for the Way the Part Will Be Applied

Manual and automated assembly can require very different component configurations.

For manual application, ease of handling, liner removal and positioning may be priorities. For automated or semi-automated processes, part spacing, orientation, liner release and presentation format can become equally important.

Considering these requirements early can help avoid redesigning a component later as production volumes increase.

Look Beyond the Drawing

A technical drawing defines the finished component, but it doesn't always tell the whole manufacturing story.

Understanding who—or what—will apply the component, how it will be handled and where difficulties could occur creates opportunities to improve the design before it reaches production.

This is also where involving a converting partner earlier can add value. Instead of simply producing a specified shape, the converter can help evaluate whether changes to the liner, presentation or component configuration could better support the manufacturing process.

Design the Component and the Process

At Muir Tapes & Adhesives, we work with manufacturers to turn adhesive materials into custom-converted components designed with production in mind.

When adhesive selection, component design and assembly requirements are considered together, manufacturers can create solutions that support both product performance and production efficiency.

Because the best adhesive component shouldn't just work in the finished device - It should work on the way there.

Ready to explore a custom-converted solution for your medical device application? Talk to the Muir team about your application.