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“These movable lamellae made of tungsten are the core of every multi-leaf collimator,” Mayer says. The leaves are only a few millimeters thick – partially ultra-thin and exceptionally challenging to process. “The more precise our components are, the more accurate the treatment of a tumor can be,” Mayer adds. “A treatment beam alone can’t save a life. But with the right tools, we can guide it exactly where it needs to go – and that makes all the difference.”

In addition, the robotics-assisted system automatically detects any deviations and halts the process if needed – even during “ghost shifts,” such as unmanned night or weekend runs. 

The traceability offers for complete transparency: Each component receives a so-called Data Matrix Code – a kind of digital fingerprint. With it, one can trace exactly when the component was manufactured, which machine and tools were used, who inspected it, what tolerances it meets, and even which system it was installed in. Years down the line, this detailed production data can still be retrieved – making it possible to reproduce specific parts more quickly or accelerate repairs when needed. “This level of digitalization gives us a tremendous boost in quality,” says Mayer. “And ultimately, it serves a very human goal: patient safety.”

For the Kemnath team, this isn’t just a technical milestone – it’s the result of years of collaboration and mutual trust between the mechanical engineering experts onsite and Varian, which joined the Siemens Healthineers family in 2021. The new production line is also one of the largest investments within the site’s €60 million technology upgrade.