Designing a useful or beautiful product is not enough to certify its worth. In fact, the application of quality in the field of production is a long, complex process in which various elements converge to produce finally a leading, fully reliable item. In the case of healthcare products, this factor becomes even more important if we consider that a patient’s health is strictly related to the outcome of this process.
AVINENT works in the medical sector and has a highly specialized quality department that is dedicated to controlling the entire manufacturing process of its products in order to fully guarantee their excellence through a series of checks. Quality Department Head Esther P. explains: “This sequence of checks consists of various phases to ensure the maximum effectiveness and reliability of the parts that we sell, as well as their features.”
A painstakingly supervised process
The manufacturing process of all AVINENT products, such as implants or attachments, among others, involves various steps that are supervised by both workers and quality managers (Pere C., Mònica S., Carme G., Laia M., Rosa T. and Joana C.) in order to guarantee optimum results.
“We begin with the so-called production start check. This involves first introducing the raw material into the machines, then checking all the plane dimensions (measurements that may be up to 30 in the case of implants) to ensure that the parameters of the resulting part are within the stipulated tolerance range,” explains Esther P. AVINENT’s metrology laboratory uses the latest technology to perform meticulous dimensional checks throughout the entire production process.
Once the part is ready to be manufactured, checks are made every two hours during which the most important dimensions are once again validated: those affecting the product’s connections with its analog pieces.
But supervision does not end there, because a new inspection is made once per shift (morning, afternoon and night) to ensure that the measurements are still perfect. And thus the process continues. “The next step is the final check, which involves ensuring that all the plane dimensions of the finished products in each shift remain flawless,” explains the department head.
When it comes to ensuring the desired finish of attachments, AVINENT subjects these to a polishing treatment during production that is conducted with various materials. A new visual check is made at the end of this cycle.
A final definitive check is then carried out: 100% Control. “Absolutely all the pieces in this check undergo an individual examination to ensure once again that the most sensitive measurements affecting the connections are accurate,” the Department Head concludes. In order to carry out this important task, the company uses the latest technology in 3D measuring machines, equipment that is characterized by the high precision, reliability and speed of its checks.
Implants with even stricter controls
In addition to the aforementioned checks, AVINENT implants specifically follow other further visual checks made by laser vision technologies related to checking the product’s treatments. These include a pre-packaging check, which is carried out prior to the final packaging stage of the process, and sterilization, which is done by a specialized company in Switzerland. Once this latter process is carried out, a final check is made before the part enters the warehouse.
Phil Crosby, an American entrepreneur who contributed to the development of managerial theory and quality practices, claimed that quality would never become a reality unless “it is the fabric of the organization”. His legacy proves that this integration not only refers to machines or devices, but also assumes special relevance in human structures and the attention that they show in companies such as AVINENT.
