From the Production Line: Paul Merrick

Paul Merrick is the Production Engineering Manager at Penlon. His role typically includes: ensuring that all of the systems, tools and procedures are in place for efficient production, the ESO 2 and other products are manufactured in compliance with MHRA and Penlon Quality Systems. In his own words:
 

When the COVID-19 broke out a Penlon management meeting was quickly held to see how we could help. We reviewed the rapidly manufactured ventilator (RMVS) specification; and using an existing CE marked AV-S ventilator, we put together a design solution. By early April the design had been signed off by the MHRA for production.

The knowledge contained at Penlon had to be rapidly shared with the VentilatorChallengeUK team to bring up to speed new engineers with no medical device experience.

The whole team was fully committed and worked long hours, seven days a week to make the project succeed. We gave full support to the parts suppliers, machine assemblers and testers to understand the drawings, manufacturing and required performance. This was aided by new training techniques including HoloLens virtual reality headsets.
 
The members of the consortium put into the project huge amounts of energy and a massive amount of enthusiasm to make this project work. It has been an amazing experience to work with people where nothing is impossible.

The experience has been very positive with people sacrificing their home lives and working long hours. It has been an inspirational experience. I have a small farm which will be thoroughly neglected until the last vent is shipped. The intensity and excitement of the project and the workload has been amazing.
 
You had to experience it to believe what we achieved.