Part 1 of 4
by Cassandra Balentine
An important element of the manufacturing and packaging process is marking and coding. With unique codes, anyone that handles a product is able to identify specific information about it, including dates and lot codes. Inkjet printing systems are utilized to spray these codes on a variety of substrates—everything from corrugated boards to tires and medicine.
Headquartered in Germany, Losan Pharma GmbH is a pharmaceutical technology company focused on the development and manufacture of medical products with improved API performance and/or convenient application. Established in 1992, it offers global customers solutions for oral solid dosage forms to support overcoming development and manufacturing challenges. The company utilizes inkjet marking and coding technology to mark its stick packs, which are cylindrical shaped pouches used for single-serve dose products and medication.
Stick Packs
Losan manufactures traditional capsules, effervescent tablets, and film-coated tablets. It also started offering stick packs. In fact, the company recently purchased two new stick pack forming, filling, and sealing lines from MERZ for two of its production sites. To complete this packaging system, it required labeling on the line.
In addition to the print systems and in cooperation with Krempien+Petersen Qualitäts-Kontrollsysteme GmbH, Domino Printing Sciences plc provides necessary software in the form of KUPvision. The mark and vision software’s operating concept allows it to be intuitively linked and used with the print and inspection systems. Due to its modular structure, it can be adapted and enhanced to suit individual customer requirements and was ultimately the reason it was chosen by Losan.
“As part of the new procurement of stick pack lines, we needed to establish a labelling system with camera control for several packaging lines operating independently of each other. We decided on the Domino G320i thermal inkjet original equipment manufacturer (OEM) boards, inclusive of KUPvision camera control, as this solution seemed best suited to meet our requirements,” shares Dr. Johannes Trapp, head of production, Losan.
With the stick packaging system, two MERZ two- and six-lane stick pack forming, filling, and sealing lines are complemented with four G320i thermal inkjet OEM boards. Print text is centrally input through the control computer HMI, and print control is handled with high-performance Cognex vision systems. It utilizes BK118 pharmaceutical inks for film applications, which offer fast dry times and high contrast. Before the stick packs are filled, the G320i OEM boards print the batch number and expiration date.
Overall, the stick pack system has proven successful. “Our expectations have been met in full. At the moment we are more than nine months into our routine 24/7 production. During this time we have experienced no machine breakdowns of any kind caused by the printing system ceasing to function. The production employees also cope very well with the new system. I would highly recommend Domino as a systems supplier,” concludes Dr. Trapp.
Pharma Tested
Few products are as sensitive as medication. Through cooperation, integration, and smart technologies, Losan manufactures stick packs with the confidence that critical batch and expiration information is clearly visible for handlers and consumers.
Jun2021, Industrial Print Magazine