End-of-line packaging systems supplier Pester pac automation has launched a robotic device for precision handling and packaging of pharmaceuticals at the Interpack 2008.
The new robot cell can pack sensitive pharmaceutical products such as ampoules or vials and handle one-layered cartons and trays.
Fitted with a KUKA robot, this new robot cell can be applied virtually anywhere in a pharmaceutical packaging process: at the beginning, in the centre or at the end of the line. Its wide variety of applications ranges from depalletising and product handling to palletising. It can be used for performing any task from filling, withdrawing, feeding, stacking, to unstacking, sorting and discharging products fully automatically.
One of Pester's newly developed gripping tools provides for universal and precision product handling and is capable of gripping and holding the products by vacuum in one go. The vacuum, gripper or a combination of both can be applied depending on the shape, weight or contact surface area of the product. Fitted with the latest camera technology, the gripper verifies the exact position and designated layer of the in-coming products.
A whole variety of equipment options with modern camera and labelling technology ensure fully traceable coding and identification as well as verifying of the products and their completeness throughout the entire packaging process to the point when the products are discharged. Thanks to the extreme versatility of the robot it is possible to integrate an additional monitoring level via the IPC (in-process control), thus optimising the quality assurance in the pharmaceutical packaging process.
Also launched at the show is a new compact side loader for small batches, which complements Pester's casepacker programme.
The new side loader in pharmaceutical cantilever design meets all GMP standards and is designed for economic pharmaceutical packaging of small batches. It packs single cartons or collations into cases and is ideal for low performance ranges.
With its modular, future-oriented platform, the UVP2-k is compact and can be integrated into any line conception.
Meanwhile, New Jersey-based company Systech International and Pester will integrate Systech's Serialized Product Tracking (SPT) and Pester's end-of-line packaging solutions to demonstrate how manufacturers can track and trace products at each individual stage: Systech's SPT is a productised software application that enables track and trace ePedigree and authentication. SPT obtains Electronic Product Code (EPC). The track and trace system complies with the requirements of the California's Electronic Pedigree Law, which takes effect on January 1, 2009.
Designed to meet specific pharmaceutical requirements, the new high-speed stretchwrapper has an output of 100 bottle bundles per minute. The new pharmaceutical stretchwrapper was designed on the basis of the special requirements of the American pharmaceutical market owing to the fact that in the USA tablets are mainly packed in bottles.
The PEWO-pack 600 Compact can process bottles on two parallel tracks. However, the link to up- and downstream processes is on a single lane basis. This makes the GMP-compatible, high-speed machine in cantilever design easy to integrate into the production process and any packaging line design.
Pester Pac Automation will be located at Hall6/Booth D61-D73 at the Interpack 2008