Organizations developing medical equipment often encounter challenges in prototyping and small-scale production. Prototypes are typically outsourced to China, leading to lengthy turnaround times and high costs.

Additionally, making design iterations can be cumbersome. Moreover, organizations requiring small production runs of PCB boards, numbering in the hundreds or thousands, face difficulties finding local manufacturers due to the low quantities involved. Local manufacturers prefer larger production runs to justify retooling efforts.

To address these issues, RMIT, in collaboration with the Victorian Government, established the “Med Tech Discovery to Device” laboratory in Melbourne. This facility serves as a commercial manufacturing space that local industries can utilize to produce various-sized devices.  RMIT’s Lab will reduce time to market by quicker prototyping turnaround with new boards being made in a day.

EM Logic is supplying RMIT with eight different machines.

The main showpieces are 2 models of the LPKF ProtoLaser, U4 and R4 respectively.

The U4 uses a UV nm laser while the R4 is a picosecond laser.

The U4 is the Swiss army knife in the lab, enabling the production of single-sided and double-sided PCBs, RF and microwave PCBs, and rigid and flex PCBs.

The R4 picosecond laser produces less heat, which means it can easily structure thermally sensitive materials, such as glass and PDMS.

The lab is designed to support the entire manufacturing process, from bare PCB boards with components to fully assembled products. 

EM Logic’s equipment, enables the production of a wide range of electronic devices, from wearable medical devices to complex medical equipment.

The facility prioritizes cleanliness, precision, and adaptability to accommodate diverse manufacturing needs.

While the facility is still in its setup phase, RMIT plans to collaborate closely with local manufacturers, offering efficient prototyping and small-batch production opportunities.

This benefits businesses seeking small-scale production while providing valuable learning experiences for RMIT students and staff. The facility is also working towards obtaining ISO certifications to meet industry standards and regulations.

The decision to partner with EM Logic Solutions was based on RMIT’s recognition of EM Logic’s reputation, the equipment’s reliability, ease of use, and adaptability to various PCB sizes and dimensions. RMIT University’s MedTech facility, supported by EM Logic’s advanced machines, aims to revolutionize PCB manufacturing and electronics prototyping.

By addressing the challenges faced by small-scale manufacturers, the facility seeks to boost local industries, foster innovation, and provide essential support for businesses developing new products and prototypes. EM Logic’s commitment to quality and adaptability promises a bright future for the MedTech facility and the electronics manufacturing industry.