Frontline Filtration and Automation

For a UK client who provide respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for the Military and first responders end users, we designed and manufactured filtration solutions, and developed and built automation lines for one filter product, for one of their tight-fitting respirators.

Context

Due to the life-threatening environments to which those in the Armed Services may be exposed, including CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) environments, respirators which are designed for Military-use require a high level of protection. This requirement extends to the filters on and within the mask. Further, it is imperative that the quality of each RPE element, including the filters, is consistent as any discrepancy in quality is not acceptable.

Because of these factors, the client was looking for a supplier of high-quality filtration devices for one of their tight-fitting respirators, and an automation line for one filtration solution was desired for quality management and speed-in-manufacturing. The Filter Design Company were approached by the client, as they knew about our previous experience in working with Military RPE programmes, our reputation for manufacturing excellent filters, and our unique filtration-centric automation services.

Solution

Alongside manufacturing high-quality filters which had been refined and finalised by The Filter Design Company previously, we generated a new and cost-effective manufacturing method for the particulate element of the filtration system, incorporating design improvements useful to the end user.  This filter element was integrated as part of our automation solution.

From working with the client to understand requirements, our Engineering team designed, developed and delivered two automation lines for our filtration system: One to be used at client site and one to be integrated into an existing automation line at The Filter Design Company, to provide consistency across the supply chain. Our automated solutions had many capabilities, including:

• Filter efficiency testing;
• Dispensing carbon into filters;
• Attaching particulate assembly automatically;
• Barcode scanning;
• Barcode lasering;
• Data recording via an external database;
• Movement;
• Weighing; and,
• Clamping.

Our Team visited client site on many occasions to ensure that their machines were fitted correctly and worked effectively. Following passing their site acceptance test (SAT), the client was happy with the functionality and quality of the automated processes.

To enquire about our automation and filtration solutions, for Military and first responder applications or otherwise, please contact us.