The final stage for products in an industrial process is the packaging line. In the pharmaceutical industry, the products to be packaged are conveyed by the packaging line that is designed to facilitate batch changeover management, machine cleaning, line voids and to limit the generation of mechanical particles. Generally speaking, a computer station is used by an operator to control the line. However, it can also be controlled semi-automatically or by the use of a PLC that can be programmed.
Usefulness of a Packaging Line in the Pharmaceutical Field
The packaging line, in the pharmaceutical sector, has various applications that require an advanced design, including the management of product flows and distribution. From a functional point of view, a packaging line needs to offer optimal ergonomics and a high level of safety for the operator stations. In order to respect the integrity of the products to be packaged, especially in the pharmaceutical field, particular care must be taken into consideration during packaging line implementation.
Different types of packaging lines for the pharmaceutical industry are offered by several manufacturers. Among these packaging lines are the pharmaceutical filter transfer machine, the pharmaceutical filter packaging machine and the automatic kit preparation line.
Pharmaceutical Filter Packing and Packaging Line
This is a custom-built assembly machine that allows pharmaceutical filters to be temporarily packaged between two production steps. A stack of filters is automatically formed by a 6-axis robot at the output of the upstream machine.
Equipped with a plastic bag, a cardboard box placed on a motorized roller conveyor is conveyed inside a robotized cell. The bag is placed on the walls of the box by a manipulator. The cardboard is oriented in such a way as to facilitate the introduction of the formed stack.
The Automatic Kit Preparation Line
The automatic kit preparation line is installed in a specific/dedicated building and is organized around a pallet transfer that integrates several elements making up the kit. These kits are intended to go with equipment allowing the detection of pathogens.
Each pallet is equipped with an RFID tag in order to record the progress of each step and allow management of the state of the pallet. This ensures individual quality monitoring for the preparation of each kit. The entire line is controlled by a central PLC that communicates the status of the different stations and production data.
Pharmaceutical Filter Transfer Machine
Between two production lines, the transfer of semi-finished products can be ensured by a pharmaceutical filter transfer machine that is deployed in a clean environment. The robot is suspended due to layout constraints and space requirements. The latter is set up in order to optimize flow and avoid constraining and repetitive operations for the human operators.
The filter transfer machine is a robot that allows the synchronization of two lines in continuous flow and is specially designed to work in this type of environment. It is associated with an intelligent vision system installed on its gripping hand. It recalculates its trajectory at each transfer and relocates itself in the stack in relation to its target.
These types of machines are manufactured by MGA Technologies. Indeed, for about thirty years, the company has specialized in the manufacture of custom-made machines for businesses in various sectors.
With respect to the “industry of the future” trends, the company MGA Technologies has already done so for more than 30 years by integrating mechatronics. Its first PLCs have been programmed for more than three decades and its first robots were deployed more than 20 years ago. Today, it integrates artificial intelligence in its designs.
In addition to packaging lines for pharmaceutical products, the company also attributes its achievements to collaboration with professionals working in the medical, mechanical and biotech fields.
MGA Technologies – Pharmaceutical Packaging Line Manufacturer
In the industry of the future, MGA Technologies has already done so for more than 30 years by integrating mechatronics. Its first PLCs were programmed more than three decades ago and its first robots were deployed more than 20 years ago. Today, it integrates artificial intelligence in its designs.
Having made production line automation its specialty, MGA Technologies designs semi-automatic and automatic machines. In their design, these machines are equipped with programmable logic controllers from the latest technological innovations on the market.
In order to provide solutions to the needs formulated by its customers, the company agrees on a functional analysis, well before the design and study phase.
For MGA, consultation constitutes an approach to robotics and automation so that we can deploy a coherent industrial strategy in our production workshops. MGA’s team integrates the standards defined with customers and designs its communication modes and automaton architectures in total respect of customer specifications, without failing to propose the novelties that can be applied.
In addition to the delivery of packaging lines for pharmaceutical products, MGA also dedicates its efforts to companies working in the medical, mechanical or biotech fields.
