Medical Design Briefs - June 2021 - 39

and accurately insert the lateral flow
strips into the test cassettes. Accurate
placement is necessary for the test to
function properly. Camera systems automatically
verify the correct positioning
of the strip.
Once completed, the kits are fed horizontally
into a flow wrapper and securely
packaged in foil pouches, with each
pouch identified by product information
labels. Another camera system scans
each printed label and verifies that the
information is correct and meets FDA
requirements. The automation made
possible high-volume production. By
early 2021, the company reached a key
milestone: several million antigen tests
per week produced, packaged, and
shipped to its OEM partner.
In addition to technology issues, the
production ramp-up also resulted in personnel-related
challenges. Web's HR
department assisted employees in transferring
to Holliston from other Web facilities.
HR also scoured the country for
new employees with specialized skills. It
was difficult, for example, to find workers
with experience operating automated
pick-and-place machines. Often, new or
current employees had to be trained in
the requisite skills. Holliston's workforce
grew at an exponential rate. In less than
a year it increased tenfold, from about 50
to over 500 employees.
More Changes
Making Medical Gowns. Elsewhere,
Web facilities geared up to supply PPE.
The Ft. Wayne, IN, plant was configured to
meet the demand for nonwoven materials
for protective gear for healthcare professionals.
When gown-demand eventually
outstripped available capacity, the company
employed its machinery and expertise
for aircraft engine and satellite components
at facilities in Vermont, Georgia, and
Texas to craft medical gowns.
New Testing Era. To date, Web's OEM
has shipped rapid LFI antigen tests for
COVID-19 to dozens of U.S. nursing
homes, schools, government agencies,
and other settings for administration to
thousands of people. The tests inform
individuals of their infection status within
15 minutes. The success of rapid tests
and other innovations spurred by the
pandemic will likely usher in new generations
of tests for various diseases, tests
that can be purchased over the counter
and administered at home.
The future might bring more challenges
for the company. After the
COVID-19 virus runs its course, new
applications for diagnostic testing are
sure to arise. Some experts have stated
that the pandemic moved forward the
acceptance of diagnostic testing by 10
years. The acceptance of LFI antigen test
has opened doors for more infectious
and non- infectious disease tests. Ad -
ditionally, demand for PPE will likely
recede, and PPE manufacturing and
engineering resources will be adapted to
yet unknown applications.
Likewise, when the aerospace industry
rebounds from the downturn, the company
is prepared to support the uptick in
demand from the commercial aerospace
market. Maintaining its core competency
during this downturn is critical to ensure
that Web meets its customers' needs.
This article was written by Kevin Young, Vice
President of Corporate Development & Medical,
Web Industries, Marlborough, MA. He can be
reached at kyoung@webindustries.com. For more
information, visit http://info.hotims.com/
79414-342.
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Medical Design Briefs - June 2021

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