Robotic Palletizers for Track and Trace Serialziation

(This is part threein a three-part series on integrating packaging machinery with track and trace serialization systems to meet the 2017 pharmaceutical mandates. Part one is here. Part two is here.)

Track & Trace Pallet Cells

Robotic palletizers also integrate easily with track and trace systems. Prior to palletizing, labeled cases are verified at the case infeed conveyor. The system either presents the label to the barcode reader or a barcode reader positioned on the conveyor can read the label before the case is picked. In either scenario, incorrect cases can be rejected for rework. Robots can also be programmed to position the case label so that it can be seen and scanned at pallet’s final location.

Barcode Scanners at a Palletizer Infeed

Robotic palletizers can be integrated directly with track and trace case packers to create a complete end-to-end system. High speed case packers integrated with stand-alone robotic pallet cells can handle up to 20-25 cases per minute using two robots, one to case pack and one to palletize. Track and trace packaging lines requiring lower speeds, between 5-6 cases per minute, can incorporate case packing and palletizing with a single robot to create a very compact track and trace packaging solution.  Labelers and scanners are also integrated with robotic palletizers. Fully loaded pallets are also labeled using RFID tags, bar codes or readable codes to fully verify the contents of the pallet.

Single Cell Robotic Palletizer with Integrated Serialization System

By integrating OEM serialization systems with packaging machinery, pharmaceutical manufacturers can secure their supply line from counterfeiting and meet current and future pedigree requirements. The investment in integrated equipment provides a streamlined process that can be easily reconfigured for future applications.

Dual Cell Robotic Palletizer with Integrated Serialization System

Cartoners and Case Packers for Track and Trace Serialization

(This is part two in a three-part series on integrating packaging machinery with track and trace serialization systems to meet the 2017 pharmaceutical mandates. Part one is here.)

Robotic Track & Trace Inspection Systems

The simplest application for track and trace systems is the pick-and-place inspection of products. Whether the product is an aggregation or an individual carton or bottle, a properly programmed robotic cell with well-designed end-of-arm tool (EOAT) can pick the object, pass it in front of a vision inspection system or a barcode scanner and place it in a bin or on a conveyor, depending on whether the product is rejected or passed downstream for further packaging.

Robot Will Hold Bottles Over Inspection Camera Prior to Case Packing

Robotic inspection works well in applications that require an aggregation to be verified after individual products have been bundled, and aggregation scanning equipment cannot be integrated into an existing machine. The stand-alone robotic system can pick the bundle and move it under or over a scanning device. The system allows for rescanning the bundle in the event of a read error. The scanning device can also verify the count, the bottle or carton status and create a list of each item in the bundle. The robot places rejected bundles in a reject bin to be reworked or discarded.

Track & Trace Cartoners

Pick and place inspections systems are not the only robotic application for track and trace packaging machinery. Robotic systems can be used in an end-to-end packaging line to help track the first product in all the way to the finished pallet, ensuring the integrity of every product, every, carton, every case, and every pallet throughout the production process. For example, a packaging line for pharmaceutical bottles begins as each filled and closed bottle is marked with a unique serial number, which may be printed on the label, on the bottle or on an RFID. Sensors verify the code as each bottle enters a robotic case packing cell. The code is read as each bottle is collated into the correct pack pattern to account for the contents that will be placed in the case (the aggregation process). The serialization information is stored by the system microprocessor to be accessed by carton labelers and used in downstream packaging processes.

Bottles Enter a 4-Camera Serialization Module Where Unique Product codes are Recorded

Track & Trace Case Packers

Automatic case packers with integrated serialization systems allow manufacturers to easily form aggregates and record the contents of each case as they are loaded. As products labeled with unique identifying codes enter the infeed and collation zone, cameras on all four sides of the product capture the code and store it in the system microprocessor. The products are then collated and loaded into the erected case. Robotic case packers for track and trace applications incorporate EOAT that uses a unique suction cup with integrated vacuum sensor for each bottle in the pack pattern. This allows the EOAT to verify that it has picked all of the bottles in the pack pattern via the vacuum sensor. Camera inspection systems can also take a picture of the loaded case and compare it to a picture of a correctly loaded pattern to verify that all bottles have made it into the case.

Aggregated Pack Pattern of Bottles with Serialization Labels

Cases with complete patterns are tagged as “good.” Incomplete cases are not tagged, causing them to be automatically rejected at the case packer discharge. Automatic leaflet feeders with track and trace inspection verification may be added to the case packer to automate the full case load. An overhead camera is used to verify the load in the case. Good cases are then labeled with track and trace information about the contents of the case. The label may include a barcode or human-readable code, a writable RFID tag, which is encoded after the case is packed, or a combination of all three. By tracking each serial number in the pack pattern and applying that information to a unique case, the manufacturer can know at all times exactly where each bottle is in the packaging process. This process would be the same if the product being case packed was a carton, bag, blister pack, or bundle.

ESS Technologies Model CEL 5 Robotic Case Erector / Loader with Integrated Serialization System

Next Post: Palletizers for Track and Trace Serialization

Packaging Machinery for Track and Trace Serialization

(This is part one in a three-part series on integrating packaging machinery with track and trace serialization systems to meet the 2017 pharmaceutical mandates.)

Introduction

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have many good reasons to implement track and trace technology within manufacturing and packaging processes. Serialization allows manufacturers to ensure the integrity of their product and compliance with emerging pedigree laws. Designed primarily as a response to the increase of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, pedigree and e-pedigree laws (for electronic documentation) require manufacturers to show the complete life cycle of the drugs they distribute, from the manufacturing process through the end-of-line packaging.

2D and Serialization Codes Used in Track & Trace Packaging Lines

Unit level tracking methods have been in place for years.  Lot/Expiration codes are ubiquitous on a wide variety of products. But recent changes to the law have shifted the focus to implementing track and trace systems with case packers and palletizers. This can present a number of challenges to pharmaceutical manufacturers, so selecting a qualified packaging machinery supplier to work with the track and trace system supplier is vital. Pharmaceutical companies already invest heavily in capital equipment for manufacturing and packaging. By integrating track and trace serialization technology with automated end-of-line packaging machinery, pharmaceutical manufacturers can meet pedigree requirements and maintain their levels of productivity in a single robust solution.

Packaging Machinery for Track & Trace Lines

Serialization systems track the product from the time it is placed in its primary package (bottle, vial, tube, jar, pouch, etc.) to its final placement on a pallet at the end of the packaging line. This requires integrating inspection and tracking equipment from a track and trace system supplier with the packaging machinery at each step in the packaging process. It’s important to select an equipment provider who understands the requirements being faced by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Ideally, the packaging machinery supplier is also an integrator who can work with other OEMs to successfully implement a track and trace packaging line.

Cameras for Scanning Product Codes (Top) and the Stored Code Information (Bottom)

The track and trace systems incorporate several types of equipment. First labeling or other types of coding equipment place a unique ID code on the item being packaged, e.g. bottles, cartons, blister packs, bundles, etc. Next cameras and other sensors that are capable of reading the ID are integrated with the packaging machinery at various stages in the packaging process such as cartoning or case packing. Print and apply labelers are integrated to label the case with information about its contents, and these labels are also inspected for accuracy. Reject systems are integrated to allow improper product to be removed from the production stream.

The packaging equipment to be integrated with the serialization system should also be considered carefully. Automated packaging machinery is better able to handle production speeds needed to factor in the time it takes to record the serialization information without diminishing overall production rates. The process typically begins with the primary packaging equipment. Individual products, be it bottles, cartons, trays, or bundles, are labeled with a unique identifying code during the primary packaging of the product. It is this code that the track and trace system uses to create information about the contents of each carton, case and pallet.

Storing Serialization Data

Track and trace serialization systems incorporate a means for recording and storing the serialization data for each production run. This is usually accomplished through a dedicated PC integrated with the printers, cameras, and sensors. The centralized data point allows the system to distribute serial number information to each packaging level at each tracking point such as when the product is cartoned, when the carton is case packed and when the case is palletized. These systems interface with the packaging machinery controls to allow the exchange of information.

PC Interface for Recording Serialization Information

Next Post: Cartoners and Case Packers for Track and Trace Serialization