PHARMACEUTICAL PACKING MACHINE: DIFFERENT PACKAGINGS AND VARYING PRODUCTS

We had designed and built the previous generation of packaging machines several years previously. We therefore used the existing solution for the smaller packages, the packaging for which came from a feed drawer.

For the large packages, we developed a system based on a “retractable clothesline” principle.

Varying packaging in one packaging machine: how is that achieved?

For the smaller variants, we designed a drawer that can fold away by means of a tilting mechanism. When large packages are needed, the drawer with the small packages folds back, freeing up space for the large formats.

Cobot

The first step in the process involves a cobot. The cobot forms the link between the packaging machine and the quality inspection machine. A solution to bridge the height difference between both machines without manual action while maintaining ergonomic access for operators.

After the quality check, the cobot collects the products in a container and presents them to the packaging machine.

Packaging machine

For large packages, the robot takes a bag, opens it and hangs it on a turntable. After the bag is automatically opened and the funnel is attached, all the products fall into the bag.

A laminar airflow unit above the filling position prevents contamination.

Once the bag is filled, the table rotates to the “sealing” position. Here, a vacuum system removes excess air from the bag, which is then sealed by sealing bars.

Label

The robot then comes back into action: a print-and-apply station affixes a label and the robot places the sealed package on the transport system.

Additional functionalities in this new generation:

• A vacuum functionality. During filling, all air is sucked out of the package. Result: space saving in the secondary packaging.
• A print-and-apply labelling system in combination with an electronic batch record. All information is automatically retrieved for each order and applied to the packaging.
• Process control: each step is checked before the machine is allowed to continue. In this way, we can guarantee that every package is properly filled. No risk of incorrect quantities, no products left lying around…
• Extra attention to cleanability, cleaning, line clearance and sanitary design.