Medical Device Manufacturer Awards Bunting Top Supplier Performance
By Paul Fears | 08 June 2021
A leading European medical device manufacturer has recognised Bunting’s high standard of supply with a top supplier award. Bunting supply approximately 20,000 Samarium Cobalt rare earth magnets annually for medical audio equipment. The project originated in 2016, when Bunting engineers worked closely with a team from the manufacturer to determine the optimum medical device magnet specification for the audio application.
Medical Device Magnet Development
From the outset, Bunting worked hard to understand the medical industry related rules and regulations for component supply. Even though Bunting was already supplying magnets and magnet assemblies to other industries with tight quality specifications, such as the aerospace and automotive sectors, there were different and stringent requirements for supplying medical equipment components.
A team dedicated to the project concentrated on the specific design, quality and testing demands. Stock holding was increased to ensure consistency of supply.
With ongoing support from the end client, Bunting embarked on a period of adjustment and continual audit, changing internal manufacturing, storage and shipment processes to comply with the new standards. The result was achieving an excellent supplier rating for April 2020 to April 2021.
Samarium Cobalt Magnets
Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) rare earth magnets offer high magnetic performance. Permanent SmCo magnets are not as powerful as Neodymium (NbFeB) magnets at low temperatures, but maintain a higher magnetic performance at around 150 to 180°C. The stability and excellent corrosion resistance of SmCo make the magnets particularly suitable for applications in medical, aerospace, automotive and other high stress applications.
- Technical Product Information: Samarium Cobalt Magnets
Project Challenges
The Covid-19 pandemic and changes to customs procedures following BREXIT, created unexpected challenges during the 12-month period. Bunting’s team kept the end-client constantly updated on developments, whilst implementing plans to provide low-volume quantities of Samarium Cobalt magnets to ensure the medical equipment manufacturer maintained a steady production.
Bunting and the customer worked together during this difficult time, both ensuring that all possible action was taken to maintain supply.
The unprecedented pandemic and post-BREXIT challenges faced in the first three months of 2021 proved extremely stressful and difficult for all involved. Despite those challenges, the dedication of the Bunting team during this difficult time and the excellent relationship developed with the medical device customer, culminated in Bunting receiving the ‘Top Supplier Performance Award’.
Related Technical Article
Magnet and Magnet Assembly Design
Bunting designs and manufactures a wide range of magnet setters, magnetisers, magnets and magnetic assemblies. Many are bespoke for specific applications. For further information on any of the products mentioned in this article, or for bespoke magnet assemblies and magnet designs, please contact us via:
Phone: +44 (0) 1442 875081
Email: sales.berkhamsted@buntingmagnetics.com
Via Bunting-eMagnets for online purchase of Magnets and Magnetic Technology
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