08/06/2020

From the Production Line: Paul Merrick

Paul Merrick, Production Engineering Manager at Penlon, talks about the ESO 2 Emergency Ventilator, the VentilatorChallengeUK (VCUK) consortium and working at Penlon during the coronavirus pandemic.

Paul-Merrick-9945-700x525

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.
POSTED: 08/06/2020
CATEGORY:
Coronavirus Ventilator
SHARE: Facebook X LinkedIn
dots background dots background
Similar Stories
DSC_9906-700px 17/08/2020

Ventilator Challenge UK Consortium’s achievements recognized by the Royal Academy of Engineering

Ventilator Challenge UK Consortium presented with a President’s Special Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering for their part in tackling COVID-19.

Read More
SPpenlon07-700x525 06/07/2020

VentilatorChallengeUK consortium ends after delivering 13,437 ventilators to the NHS

VentilatorChallengeUK marks the end of the consortium after delivering 13,437 ventilators to the NHS

Read More
ESO-2-CE-Mark-Approval-700x525 25/06/2020

Penlon ESO 2 Receives CE Mark Approval for the treatment of COVID-19 patients

The Penlon ESO 2 Emergency Ventilator today received internationally recognised CE Mark approval for the treatment of COVID-19 patients

Read More
_Tim-Rance-9922-700x525 12/06/2020

From the Production Line: Tim Rance

Tim Rance, Production Manager at Penlon, talks about the ESO 2 Emergency Ventilator, the VentilatorChallengeUK (VCUK) consortium and working at Penlon during the coronavirus pandemic.

Read More