Packaging 4.0: In top form throughout the line

Automation and digitalisation are the megatopics, which affect manufacturing industry today and in the future. It is for this reason, that MULTIVAC will be presenting itself at COMPAMED 2022 as a supplier of integrated solutions for the healthcare sector - and will also be demonstrating its expertise in automation with some highly efficient line concepts. The highlights among the exhibits include a line for producing and marking combi packs containing a syringe, filter and vial, as well as a conveyor belt labeller for wrap-around labelling of cylindrical containers.

Starting with the infeed of sensitive products and going through the packaging process itself right up to the end-of-line operation: There is much more waiting for visitors to MULTIVAC than just a range of products, which are perfectly designed for the needs of the medical and pharmaceutical industries. The focus in particular is on the comprehensive expertise in automation and complete lines by a ma-chine manufacturer, which has mastered even the most demanding challenges with its range of tailored solutions - and can therefore offer its customers real added value in terms of process reliability, efficiency, production transparency and pack security.

High-output thermoforming packaging line for producing combi packs

The heart of the line is a RX 4.0 thermoforming packaging machine in GMP design - a powerful model in the innovative X-line generation, with which MULTIVAC is supporting the digitalisation of packaging processes and Industry 4.0/IoT solutions. The RX 4.0 with its complete housing, which can be viewed at the trade fair in Düsseldorf, is laid out to produce a combi pack with a syringe, filter and vial: MULTIVAC's new H 800 SCARA robot, which is located at the machine infeed, loads the various products precisely into the pack cavities, and the integrated H 242 handling module converges the packs at the machine outfeed, so that they are perfectly aligned for downstream processes such as box packing. A high-performance and very reliable InteliJet HD digital printer from BELL-MARK is integrated into the RX 4.0 for printing the packs precisely and in compliance with legislation.

Thanks to comprehensive sensor systems, a state-of-the-art machine control and networking with the MULTIVAC Cloud, the RX 4.0 elevates the packaging process for sensitive products in the medical and pharmaceutical industries to a new level - both in terms of output, machine availability and flexibility, as well as pack quality and process reliability. The RFID-coded X-tools are an additional guarantee of maximum performance. Thanks to their highly developed actuating system, they enable the die to be changed quickly and reliably during product changes. And last but not least, the whole line can also be controlled conveniently and intuitively by the packaging machine's HMI, which has been im-proved still further, particularly as regards user-friendliness.

Modular carrier system as the basis for the controlled transporta-tion, loading and buffering of syringes

Another eye catcher on the stand is a modular carrier system with integrated H 242 handling module for loading syringes into combi packs. The integrated and high-performance vision system ensures that, even at high output, all the packs are inspected rigorously for completeness of content. The system also checks, whether the individual products have been loaded correctly into the pack cavities.

Wrap-around labelling of cylindrical containers

MULTIVAC will be demonstrating the rapid and precise labelling of round or oval bottles and glass jars with its L 320 conveyor belt labeller, which leaves nothing to be desired, when it comes to output capability and above all flexibility. Since the labeller is constructed of standard modular elements, this model can be perfectly designed for the requirements of the particular sector. In addition to this, the L 320 can easily be upgraded with additional components, such as the MRT 100 rotating table, so that the products can be brought directly to the label-ling process, or buffered if required.

Labels can be positioned on all sides, as well as over the pack edges or as wrap-around labels. The application of sealing labels is also possible. Thanks to a minimum of format parts, which can be changed very quickly, the labeller can be converted to different products within a short period of time. The rapid change of label rolls, together with the use of low-maintenance components, also contribute to the labeller's high level of availability.