Fully automated assembly of up to 70 insulin pens per minute

Vier Pens gleichzeitig: Die Montageplattform MRA von Bosch montiert zuverlässig die vier Bestandteile von Standard-Einweg-Pens: Pen-Kappen, Karpulenhalterungen, Karpulen und Dosiermechanismen. / Four pens at the same time: The assembly machine MRA from Bosch reliably assembles the four components of disposable pens: pen caps, cartridge holders, cartridges and dosing mechanisms.

Pen-Montageplattform MRA: Die MRA von Bosch eignet sich für die Montage medizinischer Produkte wie Pens, die beispielweise in der Diabetestherapie zum Einsatz kommen. / Pen assembly machine MRA: The MRA from Bosch is designed to assemble medical devices such as pens, which are used, for instance, for diabetes care.

- Development of improved MRA platform backed by cooperation with pen manufacturers
- Flexible and modular design suited for future upgrades
- Complete line integration including downstream labelling and end of line packaging

At Achema, Bosch Packaging Technology showcased its latest version of the rotary pen assembly machine MRA. Developed by the Bosch subsidiary Moeller & Devicon, the machine is designed to assemble medical devices such as standard four-piece disposable pens or single-shot auto-injectors. These are used, for instance, for diabetes care, the treatment of autoimmune diseases, hormone replacement therapies or emergency medicine. “We introduced the MRA to the market at last year’s Interpack in Germany. Since then, we have refined the technology by cooperating with several manufacturers of pens and auto-injectors, and have adapted the assembly processes for different models,” Michael Andersen, sales director at Moeller & Devicon, explained. “This way we can offer customers the appropriate machine with the required features according to the pens or auto-injectors in use.” Together with primary and secondary packaging solutions, the new MRA can be combined to complete lines.

Four pens at the same time

The MRA assembles the four components of each pen one step at a time: in-feed systems load the pen caps, cartridge holders, cartridges and dosing mechanisms into the machine from four different in-feed stations, and fit them together to ready-to-use pens. The fully-automated machine handles four pens at the same time and achieves an output of up to 70 pens per minute. Incorrectly assembled products are automatically detected and rejected. 

Thanks to its open construction, the platform offers a good overview of all stations and processes, ensuring easy operation and format settings. The automatic transportation and control stations between the different assembly steps reduce operator intervention and manual handling to a minimum. A Human Machine Interface (HMI) enables operators to monitor all process functions precisely. The compact design and small footprint fully comply with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and GAMP5 (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice).

Standard upstream and downstream options

As an option, the MRA platform can be combined with additional upstream and downstream equipment. For instance, the liquid pharmaceuticals can be filled into cartridges and inspected for particles and cosmetic container defects on other Bosch equipment. “What customers ask for most are additional downstream solutions,” Michael Andersen explained. This includes labelling machines from Moeller & Devicon, which have been especially designed for pens and auto-injectors, as well as fully automated horizontal cartoning machines either from Bosch or third party suppliers, which can be combined to complete lines. An integration of downstream case packing and palletizing equipment is also possible. 

“The flexible and modular design of the MRA platform enables an upgrade with further process steps, such as laser engraving of the pens or serialization,” Andersen underlined. Moreover, the platform can also be adapted for other medtec products, such as infusion sets, cannulas or catheters. The entire range of rotary pen assembly machines by Moeller & Devicon is complemented by manual, semi-automated and fully automated linear solutions for all customer requirements.