5x better: how pharmaceutical machinery turns Pharma 4.0 promises into benefits
In a previous article we had a look at the technologies that, according to us, will be pivotal in Pharma 4.0. Let’s now see how our most recent cases in pharmaceutical machinery are putting theory into practice.
1. Less downtime
This pharma company’s previous syringe transporter caused frequent blockages, giving their maintenance team headaches. Their new syringe transport system we engineered and built not only reduces downtime, but also increases their manufacturing efficiency.
Another example: a pharmaceutical packaging machine. We carried out a retrofit that protects this company from sudden unexpected outages and operational errors. The fact that these were highly multifunctional machines – both in terms of packaging and type and quantity of content – made this assignment particularly complex.
2. Less product loss
The packing of this company’s medical compression stockings requires great precision. But their operators still had to adjust the settings manually. This caused a lot of stockings to end up in the trash. We retrofitted their packaging line, so fewer manual operations are needed, making product loss a thing of the past.
Less product loss thanks to custom pharmaceutical machinery, part two. We engineered and built a customized loading system in a standard isolator and freeze-dryer. This put a stop to a product costing 6,500 euros per litre being spilled.
3. Better supply chain management
With 4.0 pharmaceutical machinery you can monitor your supply chain in real time. This results in better tracking and management of inventory and distribution.
Think about the primary packaging of a medicine with integrated RFID or NFC devices. You can track this medicine step by step to its correct destination. Blockchain will record every step, making counterfeiting impossible. Even if the secondary packaging is faked.
How does that translate into actual pharmaceutical machinery? For this aseptic filling machine traceability was a priority. We made it so that every time the operator
- changes a setting
- requests a particular type of access
- or performs an action
this is logged. Every action is then securely stored on a server.
4. Better quality control
On to the next case: this packaging machine.
Each step of the process is checked before the machine is allowed to continue. This way, we can guarantee every package is properly filled. And there is no risk of incorrect quantities and products left lying around.
5. Increased patient safety
Last, but certainly not least: through guaranteeing better product quality, 4.0 pharmaceutical machinery improves patient safety.
This syringe filling machine for dental restorative composite proves that. Air bubbles
- compromise accurate dosage delivery,
- affect product efficacy
- and cause patient discomfort.
We have excluded every possible risk of air getting into the syringes during the filling and capping process.