The Evolving Landscape of Pharmaceutical Packaging

The pharmaceutical packaging industry is currently undergoing major change, with automation becoming increasingly important due to its efficiency, speed, and accuracy. This shift allows packaging companies to quickly adapt and overcome challenges.

?The landscape is evolving with automation at its forefront, offering innovative solutions to meet the industry's changing needs. In this context, let's take a closer look at some of the most significant automation trends in pharmaceutical packaging:

?Enhanced Productivity with Robotics and AMRs

?The infusion of robotic technologies, including Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), is rapidly gaining momentum in the pharmaceutical packaging sector. These advanced solutions are meticulously crafted to amplify productivity and significantly reduce downtime in the packaging processes. From executing diverse tasks such as packaging, and palletizing, to labelling, robots can be precisely programmed. Simultaneously, AMRs play a pivotal role in material transport within warehouses. By automating lower-level tasks, workers can focus on more intellectually stimulating activities, fostering innovation in the packaging landscape.

The LD Series Autonomous Mobile Robots offer simple programming and navigation through digital mapping. These AMR robots comply with safety standards ISO 12100, ISO 14121-2 and ISO 13849-1. The LD series offers a battery life of 12-15 hours and self-management charging capabilities.

Adaptive technologies and Artificial Intelligence

Smart packaging, or intelligent packaging, leverages sensors and advanced technology to monitor and enhance the entire packaging process. This encompasses real-time monitoring of product quality, temperature surveillance for perishable items, and meticulous tracking of goods during shipment. The adoption of smart packaging empowers companies to ensure the secure and efficient transportation of products, guaranteeing customers receive goods of the highest quality.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping packaging methodologies by revolutionising how companies approach their packaging processes. AI algorithms meticulously analyse extensive datasets to optimise packaging processes, enhancing efficiency and minimising waste. From determining the optimal packaging design based on product size, weight, and fragility to monitoring and controlling packaging quality, AI introduces a new level of precision and optimisation.

The camera of the Omron TM12, paired with modern lighting technology, enables objects to be detected in a wide field of view and ensures error-free detection under almost all conditions. The image processing system increases the reliability, consistency and precision of pick-and-place processes such as booklet feeding in the Medtech environment. It also offers functions such as pattern recognition, barcode detection and colour recognition, which are essential for many inspection, measurement and sorting applications. The risk assessment per EN ISO 12100 helps to meet the requirements of the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.

Data-driven Optimisation with Cobots

Cobots boost productivity and artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising packaging by analysing extensive data sets to optimise processes, enhance efficiency, and reduce waste. AI algorithms determine the optimal packaging design by considering factors like product size, weight, and fragility. Additionally, AI monitors and controls the quality of the packaging process, maintaining a consistent standard.

OMRON Cobots promotes a safe and harmonious workplace between humans and machines. It offers an easy geographical programming environment for quick start-up and operation. The integrated vision processing capabilities can implement more complex tasks e.g. palletizing of changing products. Existing systems can seamlessly be expanded to incorporate full automation, without needing any significant adjustments.

Process Optimisation through Technology

Digital transformation emerges as a pivotal trend, redefining the operational landscape of the packaging industry. By leveraging digital technologies, companies automate and optimise packaging processes, reducing manual labour and enhancing overall efficiency. Digital platforms facilitate streamlined order management, shipment tracking, and real-time monitoring of packaging quality. These technologies contribute to the creation of sustainable packaging solutions, incorporating biodegradable and recyclable materials.

The OMRON printer-integrated label inspection solution’s light stack and visual UI alert operators when direct operation is needed, a single employee can run multiple systems at once, or focus on other operations in the pharmaceutical production and packaging lines. OMRON has integrated over 30 PES-360 systems into customer lines, and the solution has helped PES to become a leading resource for serialisation and inspection systems. MicroHAWK works to give systems integrators like PES more flexibility. Another benefit of the MicroHAWK ID-40/ V430 cameras is that their barcode reading capabilities can easily be upgraded to a machine vision smart camera without mechanical changes to the production line.

?The answer is sustainability

Sustainability in the pharmaceutical sector is gaining prominence, prompting companies to minimise their environmental impact. Automation aids in waste reduction, optimal material usage, and increased efficiency. Robots can be programmed to minimise material use, while smart packaging monitors perishable products' temperature, reducing spoilage and waste.

?OMRON believes that Sustainability in the packaging industry is one of the key aspects in fighting the plastic waste issue and ultimately climate change. The challenges that this presents, require flexible and powerful automation