Varian Medical Systems rewards zero-defect supply

SKF Engineering Products was among 15 equipment suppliers honoured recently by Crawley-based Varian Medical Systems, the UK leader in integrated radiation therapy systems.

SKF Engineering Products was among 15 equipment suppliers honoured recently by Crawley-based Varian Medical Systems, the UK leader in integrated radiation therapy systems.

The company attained "Platinum Supplier" status and was presented with its certificate and award by Bill Midgeley, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, at Varian's annual Value Managed Relationships (VMR) ceremony at the Effingham Park.

Platinum status is Varian's top supplier performance standard.

It is scored over a 12-month period against five criteria: quality, delivery, pricing, service and environmental practices.

Over 14 years ago Varian Medical Systems chose to use the SKF recirculating roller screw (SVC32x1) to achieve accuracy, rigidity and high load capacity in its Exact Couch.

Additional considerations were patient safety and the long-term reliability.

To assist the development, SKF Engineering Products was able to add value to the project by supplying a complete drive assembly - comprising of a roller screw, DC servomotor, tachometer, motor support, gear drive and nut trunnion housing.

To date, some 4000 medical couches have been manufactured using the SKF roller screw - without a single failure.

Quality procedures at the roller screw production channel and subsequently at the assembly build within the electromechanical cylinder - specialist actuation channel, at SKF Transrol, France, have ensured this zero failure rate.

Both SKF Engineering Products and Varian Medical Systems aim to continue to work closely together and look forward to further develop this and future applications.

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