How Garment Machinery is Sustaining the Medical Equipment Industry During the Pandemic

Advancements in garment machinery are making it possible for the medical industry to handle the demands of a global health crisis

Before 2020, wearing face masks was almost unheard of outside of the medical industry. Now they’re part of everyday life. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the total dollar value of masks imported to the US increased from USD $240 million in March to $3.7 billion in May, an increase of?over 15 times?during a three-month period. In fact, the demand for face masks was so high it caused a global shortage, stabilizing shortly thereafter as supply chains opened up. But face masks are just one part of an arsenal of fabric items that the medical industry needs. Countless fabric items have to be manufactured and textile factories need the right equipment for the job to ensure the safety of the patients and medical staff who wear them.

Which fabric items are used in the medical industry?

Alongside masks, the medical industry uses fabric to produce items such as bedsheets, curtains, gowns, and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Medical fabrics must adhere to high regulatory standards, and they can be required to be absorbent, flexible, soft, and even biodegradable.

Surgical gowns for infection control

Hospitals had stringent infection control strategies in place before the COVID-19 pandemic. Gowns are worn by patients and staff during surgical operations, to prevent the spread of infection. They work as a barrier between patients and staff, protecting against the transfer of bacteria, microorganisms, and fluid backsplash.

According to the US FDA, there are three main types of surgical gown, with each type covering a different area depending on the surgical requirement and infection risk. These areas, called critical zones, are regulated by national standards.

Surgical gowns can be used for?minimal- to high-risk?procedures, from basic care to highly infectious patients. The critical zones of surgical gowns include the top of the shoulders to the knees, and the wrists to above the elbow.

Isolation gowns

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the demand for surgical isolation gowns, with the market expected to hit?USD 3.5 billion by 2028. Since isolation gowns must protect against medium to high risks of contamination, they have a larger critical zone than other gowns. They should cover as much of the body as possible, depending on the type of surgery and infection risk. The entire garment is regarded as a critical zone, with the exception of cuffs, bindings, and hems. They must provide protection against the transfer of liquids, and adhere to the highest liquid barrier protection level.

Non-surgical gowns

Non-surgical gowns are worn during low- to minimal-risk procedures, such as drawing blood or working in labs. They are not suitable for intense surgical procedures where the risk of infection transfer is high. The entire garment should have the same liquid barrier, and all parts of the gown except cuffs, bindings, and hems are regarded as critical zones.

Spreading Machines in the Medical Industry

Fabric spreading machines?spread fabric in preparation for cutting. Large rolls of fabric are spread onto a flat surface and manually checked for creases and wrinkles, assisting the manufacturing process by reducing the risk of poorly cut fabrics. They increase factory efficiency by preparing up to 4,500 yards of fabric over eight hours, enhancing mass production levels.

The J3 Multi-Roll Fabric Spreading Machine from Oshima is suitable for heavy-duty spreading requirements, spreading high-volume multi-layer non-woven, woven, and sticky fabric materials such as isolation gowns, bedsheets, PPE, and medical masks. The automatic edge alignment and woven material feeding system make it perfect for keeping up with the demands of the medical industry.

Cutting machines: a cut above the rest for the medical industry

Fabric cutting machines?increase factory productivity by cutting to exact design specifications. Medical fabrics are no exception. The Smart Automatic Cutting M8S machine from Oshima uses an online information platform and data integration system to provide outstanding cutting precision. Its intelligent knife technology offers a cutting speed of up to 6,000 RPM, creating quality garments that adhere to strict regulatory requirements.

Fabric fusing machines: create an outstanding bond for medical masks

Fabric fusing machines?attach an interlining between fabric parts for strength and shape retention. The Continuous Fusing Machine from Oshima enables the mass production of medical masks, helping to meet the increased global demand. The machine is equipped with a pneumatic cylinder system to apply even pressure of up to 10 kg, and has an extended preheating function to prevent fabric damage. This first-class machine lets factories focus on manufacturing bulk quantities of high-quality medical masks for the international medical market.

Seamless bonding machines for enhanced infection control

Medical fabrics such as isolation gowns are designed to prevent the transfer of infection. Even the smallest gaps or holes are counterproductive, as tiny microorganisms can pass through. Isolation gowns consist of at least 3,000 stitches, and must be tightly bonded together to prevent the spread of infection.

Sealing and bonding machines from Oshima are perfect for manufacturing PPE and isolation gown materials. Upper and lower belt speeds are adjustable, and parameters such as length, volume, and temperature are changeable depending on the fabric requirements, providing excellent sealing and bonding results.

Last stop: medical gown folding

A range of medical garment machinery wouldn’t be complete without a folding and bagging machine. Oshima’s brand new smart machine is designed for PPE, achieving an average output of 300 pieces per hour. With Oshima’s garment machinery portfolio designed for mass production quantities, factories can complete the whole production process from spreading to bagging without skimping on quality.

Why choose OSHIMA?

Oshima is a leading garment machinery provider with over 50 years in the industry. We assist fabric manufacturers by providing a comprehensive range of garment machinery, allowing them to buy everything they need in one place. We work closely with the largest global sportswear and fabric brands, giving us valuable insight into market trends and helping us to design our machines to meet real industry needs. Time is money. Choose wisely. Choose Oshima.

Contact us?today to see how you can streamline your factory with Oshima garment machinery.