Freudenberg implements VR training for catheter production

Freudenberg Medical, a global CDMO for finished medical devices, components, and minimally invasive solutions, has implemented virtual reality training for employees working in catheter production at operations in Ireland and the United States. 

The VR training program ensures employees have the necessary skills to meet high-quality standards in catheter manufacturing for customers worldwide.

Conventional training meant production lines would be disrupted to provide new operators with adequate training. Today, trainees are doing 100 plus repetitions in a virtual environment prior to working on the line –at their own pace, meeting individual training needs.

Séamus Maguire, VP of Lean Systems at Freudenberg Medical, said: “Introducing new colleagues to the shop floor is challenging. We have many highly specialised tasks that need to be accomplished under magnification. Training previously required a dedicated trainer for each trainee which was costly.” 

VR training builds muscle memory for trainees and educates on materials and equipment terminology. Prior to integrating VR training it took three to four weeks for operators to gain the rhythm of the production lines and hit takt time. Takt time is a key concept in lean manufacturing defined by the rate needed to complete a product. Now after three days of VR training operators can hit takt time which increases manufacturing efficiency by a multiple.

Lars Gerding, vice president GBU Silicone & vice president of technology at Freudenberg Medical, said: “Previously, new employees trained on the production line using raw materials. Now that they initially learn through VR training, scrap is significantly reduced. This is in line with Freudenberg’s commitment to sustainability. Against the backdrop of global supply chain disruptions in recent years, implementing the VR training was particularly beneficial.”

After a successful rollout in Ireland, Freudenberg Medical is currently implementing the program at a catheter production site in the U.S. According to Lars Gerding, the plan is to implement VR training at other sites where highly precise steps are done under magnification, and long-term to introduce the training company-wide.