• 100% process control via code verification and camera systems
• Simplified line clearance through Balcony design
• Tray transport with vacuum technology offers high format flexibility

Sigpack Systems, a Bosch Packaging Technology company, has developed a new toploader for the packaging of delicate pharmaceutical products such as vials, syringes and ampoules. The compact design of the toploader is based on the rotation principal allowed by the assembly of the units (U-form). The space-saving double axis robot loads the trays during the pack­aging process from both the front and back of the machine. This allows op­timised process efficiency, reduces machine footprint, and leads to a re­duction in overall operation costs.

Removing fixed tray holding appliances greatly increases production effi­ciency. The transportation unit’s innovative technology fixes the trays with vacuum suction applied from the underside of the tray and enables the processing of different formats without the need for laborious modification and the associated downtime. The content of the packaging is controlled at every single stage of the process through using either a camera system or barcode verification. This guarantees total control over content and pack­aging. Ejection appliances separate damaged or defective products imme­diately and catch them in drawers below the tray transport system. The balcony design of the system facilitates this drawer system and speeds up traceability during line clearance when separating products. This feature is particularly important in the case of toxic or expensive pharmaceuticals.

The toploader is able to place a range of product like syringes, vials, am­poules, and package inserts into a single packaging unit. The gripper tech­nology of the double axis delta robot works to place even delicate products into the carrier with the precision fragile operations require. The quick coupler of the coded gripper on the robotic arms enables a rapid and sim­ple adjustment to other products and formats. Modular expansion of the equipment such as additional process or robotic line components can be accomplished quickly and cost effectively.

“The toploader fully complies with the demanding security requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. The overall concept is consistent with the ro­tation principle’s space saving design, offering high flexibility of packaging formats, supporting quick line clearance” says Renee Kummer product manager.