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3D Cameras Assist in Gentle Handling of Pharma Pens, Vials

Automated system at the company’s Netherlands facility provides precise handling of sensitive products with novel 3D technology.

A newly developed camera detects the exact position and layer height of the pens by scanning the complete top layer in the bulk box after each pick of the robot. That image allows the pens to be taken out of the box with precision. (All images in this story from Schubert Packaging Systems GmbH.)
A newly developed camera detects the exact position and layer height of the pens by scanning the complete top layer in the bulk box after each pick of the robot. That image allows the pens to be taken out of the box with precision. (All images in this story from Schubert Packaging Systems GmbH.)

“Better safe than sorry” can refer to any number of subjects. But for a large biotechnology firm’s Netherlands-based facility, that phrase takes on critical importance in packing vials and pens in 13 different configurations.

In order to expand its capacities and modernize its packaging line, the biotech firm’s project managers and engineers wanted to automate this small-component packaging task to help increase efficiency and save production costs. Any packaging solution needed to provide flexibility and precise handling for the biotech firm, which preferred not to be identified.

From its locations in America and Europe, the biotechnology company provides patients with medicines for cancer therapy or severe chronic diseases and metabolic disorders. To ensure simplicity, safety and overall patient compliance, the manufacturer produces vials and pens for precise dose administration of a drug to battle high cholesterol. The products require special handling care during the packaging process to prevent glass breakage and to avoid activating the pens prematurely.

The company selected TLM-machines from Schubert, equipped with the transport robot Transmodul and a novel 3D camera.

Until this application, the company had not deployed any Schubert equipment worldwide. During a face-to-face meeting, Karin Kleinbach, Sales Account Manager at Schubert-Pharma, contacted the pharmaceutical company, which was convinced that the Schubert TLM modular platform would help it meet its needs at the Netherlands facility. To meet these challenges, Schubert-Pharma developed a combination of robot technology and advanced 3D image recognition.

Designed for safety

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