Eventum Orthopaedics
We Built a Pneumatic Test Rig to Help Eventum Pass Medical EMC Testing
Delivered from concept to installation with custom PLC control, Festo pneumatics, and a complete compliance documentation package.
ProtoGT Assembling the Automation Cabinet
The Challenge
Eventum Orthopaedics needed to validate their Quadsense surgical sensor system for EMC compliance.
The testing required simulating how a surgeon interacts with the device under realistic conditions. No electrical components were allowed inside the EMC chamber because any powered actuator or wiring could have disrupted the measurements.
Every movement, signal and input had to be delivered using air only. That meant long tube runs through narrow wave guides while still maintaining accuracy, quiet operation and repeatability. It was a demanding brief that required a completely mechanical approach to automation.
Fully Assembled Quadsense Puck actuator mount system
Our Approach
ProtoGT designed, fabricated and installed a custom pneumatic test rig that replicated real surgical use of the Quadsense device. The rig applied controlled forces on the sensor and actuated its control puck buttons with precision, all using air power routed from outside the chamber.
To meet the strict EMC conditions our engineers developed:
A fully pneumatic actuation system driven remotely through fifteen metres of tubing
A Siemens PLC-based control cabinet located safely outside the chamber
Custom Festo pneumatic circuits for force and motion control
Integrated safety valves, flow regulators and precision fixtures for repeatable testing
The entire system was built with both Eventum and ProtoGT branding and used industrial-grade components suited to medical R&D work.
Alongside the physical build we produced a full technical documentation package including the control specification, CAD drawings, user guide, endurance test records and commissioning procedures. This ensured full traceability and confidence for compliance testing.
ProtoGT directors Ed George and Will Toms presenting the custom pneumatic EMC test rig built for Eventum Orthopaedics’ Quadsense system
The Result
The rig performed reliably and fully met all testing requirements.
By replicating real surgical inputs through pneumatics, the system provided accurate and repeatable testing under true medical-approval conditions.
Eventum’s team commented that they could not believe the standard achieved for the cost and timeframe. Following this success, ProtoGT was asked to create a tailored version of the rig for the new Quadsense Pro range, showing how flexible the system could be.
Client Feedback
“Really impressed with the quality and pace of work.”
— John Naybour, CEO, Eventum Orthopaedics Ltd