Flexible packaging solutions for small to medium-sized batches

At Compamed, which takes place from 18 to 21 November, MULTIVAC will be showcasing its comprehensive expertise in automation and packaging of medical products in small to medium-sized batches. These efficient solutions are ideally suited to packing a wide range of products in many different pack formats.

One of the MULTIVAC highlights at the exhibition is a packaging line for sterile medical products, which is equipped with an automatic in-feed system for loading pre-filled glass or plastic syringes. The heart of the line is a R 245 thermoforming packaging machine, which is capable of being freely configured. The infeed system, which brings the products directly into the pack cavities in a very controlled and reliable way, consists of a shaft infeed system, a separating wheel, a transport conveyor and an H 242 handling module. For printing the packs with variable production data, a high-performance digital printer from Bell-Mark is used, which features a large print area and excellent print quality on a wide range of materials. A visual inspection system from MULTIVAC provides automatic monitoring of quality and print. All the MULTIVAC components are synchronised with the thermoforming packaging machine, and they can be operated conveniently and reliably via its control terminal.

Among the other exhibits is the R 081 thermoforming packaging machine. This compact model is ideally suited to producing small batches, or as an entry-level solution for companies making the transition to automated packaging. The machine can be used for producing both vacuum packs and modified atmosphere packs with reduced residual oxygen content. Flexible and rigid films as well as Tyvek® and paper-based packaging materials can be run with ease. At Compamed the R 081 will be equipped with the DP 230 direct web printer, which has a TTO 06 network-enabled thermal transfer printer. The DP 230 can print the packs in both the film running direction and across it, and it is therefore ideally suited to machines equipped with multi-row and multi-track dies.

MULTIVAC will be showing the C 300 TC chamber machine for packing sterile medical products in pre-made pouches. It enables packs to be produced either as vacuum packs or with modified atmosphere and reduced residual oxygen content. A temperature-controlled and permanently heated sealing bar ensures that this cleanroom-compatible machine achieves reproducible sealing quality, and the whole process can be calibrated and validated.

And last but not least, MULTIVAC will also be presenting a solution for the semi-automatic packing of small to medium-sized batches in trays. The compact model offers a high degree of process reliability, reproducibility and quality.

In Düsseldorf MULTIVAC will also be showcasing Snapsil®, an innovative concept, which was developed in conjunction with the Snapsil Corporation for producing packs with different functions to simplify opening and reclosing. The Snapsil packs, which can be produced on thermoforming packaging machines and traysealers from MULTIVAC, are suitable for a wide range of medical and pharmaceutical products, such as for example syringes, tablets, plasters, injectors and catheters etc. Thanks to their integrated "snap opening" feature, the packs are simple to open in the hectic everyday life of hospitals and nursing homes, and they can also be opened easily by elderly people or those with disabilities. If the packs are equipped with a "click-to-close" feature, they can be easily opened and reclosed securely for multiple use. In addition to this, tamper-proof protection ensures that maximum product safety is maintained.