The Pharmaceutical Packaging Industry has seen intense growth in the past decade with the recent pandemic fueling new innovations and technology. Many pharmaceutical companies turned to automation for their packaging process to keep up with demand, keep production costs low, and reduce human touchpoints in their process. Don’t know where to start when automating your pharmaceutical packaging process? Check out these four pharmaceutical packaging applications that are easy to automate!
Pill Bottles
In the pharmaceutical industry, extensive and in-depth health and safety information is required to be displayed on pill bottles for consumer safety. With pill bottle labels holding such vital information, pharmaceutical companies must take the utmost care to correctly apply labels. Pill bottles are easy to label with their shape cylindrical shape, using the dispense and wrap method.
MFT Automation offers a turn-key labeling system solution that applies labels with the Wrap Around Labeling technique for precise and accurate labeling on cylindrical packaging. The Wrap Around Labeling System is compatible with any high-performance MFT Labeler and designed for flexible assembly. The versatile design handles up to a 20” diameter roll of labels; 4”, 8”, or 12” wide available.
Blister Packs
Blister packs get their name due to the packaging’s resemblance to blisters. The pre-formed packaging has a cavity or pocket made from plastic foil that holds the pill. The backing is usually made of aluminum foil or plastic to seal the product into the cavity. The backing provides a tamper-evident seal as well as protects the products from humidity and contamination. Most of the “blisters” in a blister pack contain a singular pill for an easy visual of the dosage amounts. The foil backing is durable but will show clear signs of tampering which is a strict requirement for safety in the pharmaceutical industry.
MFT Automation offers a high-performance hygienic washdown friction feeder that can keep your process sanitary and increase productivity in your blister pack packaging process. The friction feeder’s flexible belts grip the blister packs without breaking the blister cavity or damaging its contents. Hygienic Washdown Friction Feeder is built with type 304 stainless steel, powered by a 1200-watt brushless servo motor, and is moisture and corrosion resistant and meets FDA standards. The Clean-In-Place (CIP) design is ideal for end-customers in industries that need to repetitively and aggressively clean their production floor equipment. The open design allows for minimal disassembly for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Vial Labeling
Vials are a common packaging for single dosage medications and other chemicals in the pharmaceutical industry. The labels often feature barcodes, batch numbers, and more for tracking purposes. Labeling vials accurately and consistently can be difficult due to their size and the speed demands of the application. A labeling error can cost a company millions of dollars, and in extreme cases can be a health hazard.
MFT Automation has an expansive portfolio of labeling solutions for vial labeling applications. From fast print and apply options to pressure sensitive labelers to fully integrated system solutions, we work with customers to match the application with the ideal automation solution.
Pharmaceutical Cartons
Pharmaceutical cartons are a type of secondary packaging that holds medications and more. Like pill bottles, pharmaceutical cartons have strict design requirements to make the cartons accessible to the general public. Skewed labels look unprofessional and damage credibility. It is vital that the labeling process is precise and accurate. Whether it is labeling cartons before or after they have been assembled, MFT Automation has an automation solution.
To expedite the labeling process the MFT Impresso Labeler and Friction Feeder System utilizes a high-performance friction feeder to dispense and stabilize the cartons for flawless label application. Our Impresso Labeler has customizable computer controls with an on-board panel for accurate placement, a 1000-watt brushless servo motor for unwind and rewind, and durable stainless steel shafts to provide maximum life expectancy. This compact system can fit into tight production areas and easily integrates into existing production lines.
MFT Automation: Pharmaceutical Packaging Partner
MFT Automation has been in the packaging automation industry for decades working with customers to find the best automation solution for their packaging application. We understand that the pharmaceutical packaging industry is unique with strict regulations and guidelines. Our success is made possible by our engineering-oriented and customer-driven approach to finding the best possible automation solution for customers’ applications. Our talented teams of Mechanical, Electrical, and Software engineers work with customers from the first solution draft to installation and integration. Using our in-house resources, including a machine shop with modern CNC and lathe machines, we can reduce lead times, build equipment to spec, and guarantee quality. Contact us with your latest automation challenge, online or call 651-407-3100.
