Packing it all in: A look at Interpack 2017 — the show floor

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Packaging is essential to all industry sectors and is applicable across the entire value chain. Over the next few days, around 170,000 specialist visitors will be ‘packing’ in as much information as possible on new products, innovations and future developments in packaging from the pharma, beverage, cosmetic, industrial goods, confectionary, food industry, bakery and non–food sectors.

To help guide you around some of the exciting developments from the show floor within pharma, we at EPM have compiled a brief list of some of the exhibitors and what they will be showcasing during this event in Düsseldorf.

Digital and virtual support

Bosch Packaging Technology is demonstrating the advantages of industry 4.0 solutions in modern manufacturing during this year’s Interpack.

Machine operators are supported through the Forum Part Management, which is based on RFID technology. Using the RFID tag, format parts can be identified and within this process operators receive relevant information about the format change.

The Maintenance Support System (MSS) analyses machine data in real-time and sends all relevant information to the mobile devices of operators and maintenance engineers. Step-by-step instructions can be created and stored via the Operations Assistant, including text, images and videos. Using the visualization app, Maintenance Assistant, operators can receive real-time information and instructions for upcoming maintenance and cleaning jobs.

In cases where external help is required, Bosch specialists can connect to customers’ machines using the Remote Service, which is a safe VPN data connection service. Any additional images, videos and audio files can be exchanged with the Shopfloor Remote Assistant.

The Line Dashboard enables operators to keep informed of the condition of their lines at any time and any place they may be located. In case of a defect, the dashboard will provide an alarm notification.

Additionally, the company will explore the possibilities offered by augmented and virtual reality. “Augmented and Virtual Reality offer completely new possibilities to support staff with maintenance, troubleshooting or during trainings by supplementing real live images by additional information, or even simulating three-dimensional environments,” explained Dr Stefan König, president of Bosch.

Hall 6 / A30–C58

Securing the pharma supply chain

Adents is showcasing its latest solutions to secure the pharmaceutical supply chain, Adents Seriza and Adents Prodigi.

“Our solutions for pharmaceutical packaging are primarily designed to meet regulatory requirements,” said Christophe Devins, co-founder and CEO of Adents. “They also ensure complete control throughout the supply chain.”

Adents Prodigi is a combination of Adents software and Microsoft cloud capabilities, which offers a platform to take advantage of the mass of data generated through serialisation and unique product identification. Adents Seriza is a serialization solution for drug production, offering scalability of solutions from site level to line level.

A recent collaboration between Siemens and Adents has created a novel approach to the market for track & trace solutions, which comprises the integration of a fully configurable software suite into the full range of standard hardware, supported and serviced by an extensive network of global integration partners.

“Pharma companies will have a multitude of complex issues to take into account when choosing a serialization solution: budget control, risk of productivity drops, variety of industrial equipment and tight implementation planning,” added Hans Bijl, business development Life Sciences at Siemens. “The combined know-how and business insight of Siemens and Adents will provide drug manufacturers with a reliable and efficient hardware/software solution at competitive cost.”

Hall 6 / D10

FMD compliant labelling

Newman Labelling Systems is displaying the S350, its fully automatic labelling system, which is fully compatible with the track and trace requirements of the EU-FMD and is available with comprehensive validation support in addition to a wide range of printing and inspection systems.

The S350 has been designed to operate continuously at a production rate of up to 300 containers per minute with levels of efficiency according to DIN 8743. It is capable of applying both paper and clear plastic labels to cylindrical containers in glass, plastic, metal and composite materials. Both label and container size changes can be achieved without the use of tools and digital scales.

It features a compact cGMP design and is available with a range of features as standard, such as the ‘Auto-teach’ label length facility, a positive accept security system and In Process Control.

The latest data-bus technology has been used within the machine to simplify the integration of security and ancillary devices ensuring full compatibility with the track and trace requirements of the FMD. During the show, the system will be displayed with a working Vision System to demonstrate these capabilities.

Furthermore, the company will demonstrate its Faulty Label Removal (FLR) System at the show, which automatically rejects labels that are faulty, securely removing them before they are applied to the container and transferring them to a paper roll for batch reconciliation and inspection.

Hall 15 / A10

Continuous tablet coating

IMA is presenting its new continuous tablet coating equipment, CROMA, at this year’s Interpack.

Continuous manufacturing is an innovation driver in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for solid drugs. Through its collaboration with CONTINUUS Pharmaceuticals and its research and development team, IMA has taken steps towards continuous manufacturing.

CONTINUUS, a spin out of Boston MIT, operates in the development and implementation of continuous processes using new technologies. Its aim is to produce a final dosing form through combining primary pharmaceutical production (raw materials) and secondary pharmaceutical production, using new process technologies.

The research and development team, IMA Active, has started working on the continuous process by focusing on tablet coating. CROMA, the continuous tablet coating equipment, has been sized to work downstream of a medium-speed tablet press.

Hall 17 / A04–A30

Wrap-around labelling

HERMA is demonstrating the capabilities of its compact 152E wrap-around labelling system, which is a standard system that can handle a wide range of labels.

The system can be used for a range of product dimensions and can be equipped with the complete pharmaceutical equipment from the outset, including modules for variable data printing, for controlling printing and codes or for checking that labels are present and for the corresponding ejection.

It is available in two variants, a version with the label application belt (152E B) and a version with the roller prism (152E P). In the former version, no format sets are required, which leads to fast set up times and performance of 100 products per minute. The roller prism version handles around 90 products per minute and requires replacement of individual format parts when changing the format.

“Some users, such as pharmaceutical or cosmetic manufacturers, place great value on stable and efficient production processes. Short set-up times but also the perfect interplay of proven and optimally coordinated modules are important prerequisites in this respect,” stated Martin Kühl, head of the HERMA Labelling Machines Division. “The new 152E fulfils every need in the case of common product dimensions and even with typical pharmaceutical requirements through the use of standard components.”

Hall 12 / B24

Better visibility with smart glasses

Romaco Service will be showcasing internet enabled smart glasses, allowing the manufacturer’s machines to be monitored from a distance and enabling remote support by Romaco technicians.

Anyone requiring urgent assistance to operate a machine can opt for virtual support from Romaco. The smart glasses will connect the responsible Romaco technician to the machine operator via wifi. Using a camera integrated within the glasses, the Romaco support team can form their own picture of the situation and take action accordingly.

Additionally, it will allow the supporting technician to deliver targeted instructions to the machine operators at any global location. Through the system’s transparent screen important information can be displayed to the machine operator. Moreover, audio communication is possible through the microphone and headphones provided with the glasses.

“Smart glasses are an instrument for the factories of the future; their advent is definitely a milestone for service activities of all kinds,” explained Gero von Stackelberg, product manager Customer Service at Romaco. “The ability to communicate virtually simplifies our hotline team’s daily work, while our customers profit from efficient and affordable services.”

Visitors to the trade fair will have a chance to try out this innovative Industry 4.0 technology on four different machines at the Romaco booth.

Hall 16 / D15

Digital blister lid foil printing

Atlantic Zeiser is addressing the issue of costly changeovers in the blister lid foil printing segment by showcasing its DIGILINE Blister.

This all-in-one system executes variable print orders with fast changeover times. Users can upload images and codes to the system without any additional software or an external computer.

Additionally, it is compatible with the company’s serialization software MEDTRACKER, which can also be used as a data management platform. DIGILINE Blister is not only available as an offline system, but can also be implemented as an inline or nearline solution.

Specifically for the pharmaceutical sector, the division develops tailored systems to facilitate the reliable, legally compliant, cost-efficient and fast application of unique security features to individual and mass products. Atlantic Zeiser's track & trace systems bring together the latest machine and printing technologies with intelligent and fully compatible software architecture. The company addresses the particular needs of the pharmaceutical industry with its MEDTRACKER serialization solution.

Hall 16 / A47

Automatic vial loading and unloading

Telstar is promoting an automatic vial loading and unloading system for freeze-drying processes, which can be cleaned (CIP) and sterilized (SIP) in place, inside the freeze-drying chamber.

Lyogistics Zero is suitable for pharmaceutical freeze-dryers, integrating a steam-sterilisable slider with no concealed parts, which is moved by a contact-free magnetic drive mechanism. The transfer device, or ‘slider’ can remain in the chamber within this system, allowing it to be cleaned and sterilised along with the internals of the freeze dryer.

As there is an absence of mechanical links between the drive and the slider, the system incorporates a passive magnetic drive, which thereby eliminates the risks related to a lack of asepsis.

Suitable for use in production processes involving hazardous products, Lyogistics Zero has been designed to be integrated within aseptic isolators requiring high level protection for the operator (OEL5), the product (ISO5) and the environment.

Hall 8a / E41