Discover your next big idea for life sciences at PACK EXPO Las Vegas
Experience a breakthrough in life sciences packaging—explore solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries, all in one place this month.

Tf/f/s machine big on performance, not price

Contract packager finds Argentine-built thermoform/fill/seal blister packaging equipment provides fast and flexible changeover capabilities at an economical price.

The brush box feeder (far left), shown lifted off the web, uses a series of brushes to distribute tablets into cavities. Interna
The brush box feeder (far left), shown lifted off the web, uses a series of brushes to distribute tablets into cavities. Interna

As a contract packager of pharmaceutical products specializing in unit-dose packs, International Labs, St. Petersburg, FL, must have fast-changeover thermoform/fill/seal blister packaging equipment. However, the company also must scrutinize equipment capital costs. When it needed to add a fourth tf/f/s blister packing system a year ago to expand capacity, it chose a MAC III Super 2000 intermittent-motion machine from Modular Packaging Systems, Inc. (Pine Brook, NJ).

"We were focused on [buying] a cost-effective machine that would provide us with maximum output but in a quick-changeover type environment," says Tim Wojdan, vice president of operations. He estimates the Argentine-built machine costs $25ꯠ to $50ꯠ less than many comparable machines the firm considered.

The machine produces blister packs for products such as over-the-counter zinc capsules for customers like Alto Pharmaceuticals, Reddington Shores, FL. That product is packaged in a 2x10 blister configuration using 10-mil polyvinyl chloride and a peelable, paper-backed foil.

Quality, too

Just because the machine costs less than others doesn't mean the quality isn't there, according to Wojdan. "The quality is very much there. Plus they run forever. We've got two other MACs, and the oldest is well over ten years old. It's still in daily service five days a week with two shifts."

Fast changeover is another key feature of the machine. A complete cleaning, changeover (including form/seal tooling, perforation station and print plates) and set-up takes about three hours with one person. That's faster than other machines the company looked at. Changeover requires minimal tools and makes extensive use of handwheels and quick-release knobs. International Labs changes over the machine once every two to three days.

Wojdan emphasizes how easy the machine is to clean. "Everything is three hundred-series stainless steel, and all product contact surfaces are easily removable and cleanable with minimal change parts," he says.

Break out of the ordinary: see what’s new in life sciences packaging
At PACK EXPO Las Vegas, you’ll see machinery in action and new tech from 2,300 suppliers, collaborate with experts and explore transformative solutions. Join us this month to experience a breakthrough for life sciences products.
REGISTER NOW!
Break out of the ordinary: see what’s new in life sciences packaging
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO
Looking for CPG-focused digital transformation solutions? Download our editor-curated list from PACK EXPO featuring top companies offering warehouse management, ERP, digital twin, and MES software with supply chain visibility and analytics capabilities—all tailored specifically for CPG operations.
Download Now
List: Digitalization Companies From PACK EXPO