What had previously been handled on two secondary packaging lines was to run on a single line: 17 different configurations comprising dosage syringes, bottles with parenteral medicine or tablets, booklets, and cartons. All in alternating batches with several fast changeovers per day and, to attain a high output capacity, operating in two shifts. Furthermore, the customer’s exacting product inspection specifications demanded maximum reliability.

When Anna Herter, Uhlmann Sales Manager for Mexico, discussed the order with colleagues in Laupheim one thing became clear: a challenge! It was just the right project for the specialists who transform individual customer specifications into perfectly tailored line configurations. Project Manager Thomas Spieß and his team knew full well that they needed to work intensively on the combined syringe presorting unit, syringe feeder, bottle feeder, and Cartoner C 2155 to meet the specifications for a flexible, productive packaging process.

Located in Mexico City, the animal health division of the customer – one of the 20 leading pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide – operates the most modern production facilities for veterinary medicine in Latin America. Over 100 products are developed and manufactured there for the local market and for export to around 20 countries. The strictest international quality standards apply.

The job specification sounded easy: package everything on one machine. Precisely that was the challenge … one that we gladly took on.

Thomas Spieß, Project Manager

Roundtable – at Uhlmann headquarters and online.
The first step brought the project team together with the technical departments at Uhlmann to plan the machine configuration and the required format sets. Parallel to this, Thomas Spieß communicated via phone and Skype with the customer and the closely involved Uhlmann representative in Mexico to coordinate the features of the machine. The formats were defined in detail during a visit to Mexico. The internal commissioning of the technical departments followed: mechanical and electrical engineering, format design, and machine and HMI programming.

Pre-FAT.
Once the machine was assembled, the customer visited Laupheim to inspect the status. The team responsible for special functions presented the tailored solutions for syringe feeding, format changeovers on the product chain, and product inspection.

Fast changeovers.
The Cartoner C 2155 line processes 11 different bottle sizes, 2 booklets, 11 carton formats, and 6 sizes of dosage syringes with volumes ranging from 1 to 15 ml. The key criterion governing the customer’s specifications was fast and straightforward changeovers to ensure productive packaging of this broad product spectrum.

The trick – a simple click for fast changeovers

The combination of a syringe presorting unit from another manufacturer and a modified Uhlmann syringe feeding system was selected to start the process. The presorting unit guides the loose dosing syringes upward via a plate conveyor. Once separated, they move along a conveyor rail to the Uhlmann feeder. No format parts are required for the efficient and fast presorting.

The suspended syringes are divided between three lanes, picked up by vacuum grippers, and placed in the product chain of the C 2155. To ensure the safe transport of the loosely inserted syringes and reduce changeover times – also when changing to new bottle formats – prisms are clicked into the product chain in variable positions. While standard cell dividers are tightly screwed into place, and need to be unfastened/refastened using tools, the prisms are clicked into place by hand. As a result, a format changeover takes about 15 minutes less time. In view of several changeovers per day, and on the basis of two-shift operation, this adds up to a significant saving!

 

The customer is very happy with the solution based on the C 2155. Our specialists put together a coherent integral package.

Anne Herter, Uhlmann Sales Manager for Mexico

Inspection plus double check.
The fixed position of the products in the product chain means that a camera can monitor product presence directly prior to loading into the carton. An additional sensor also verifies that the pack leaflet/booklet is present as the loader moves forward. If no warning signal is given when the product loader retracts, all items are in the carton.

As the products to be packaged incline to slide out of the carton on account of their shape and the pulsating movement of the machine, the experts designed a special mechanism for carton closure. The right flap is tucked in during the first cycle and constantly held in position until the left flap is tucked in.

All’s well. After the FAT in Laupheim and installation, commissioning, and SAT in Mexico City, the line is operating as planned. Or, as Thomas Spieß puts it: “We haven’t been contacted, not by the customer nor by our local services partner, Fette Compacting Mexico. A very good sign, as a rule.”

Pack correctly filled? Camera inspection and sensor double check.

Issue 01/2020: As different as dogs and cats

Issue 01/2020: As different as dogs and cats

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