As if cast from a single mold

Unity 600 blister packaging line

PF 75 stretch bander

Wide range of applications from one stop solution supplier Romaco.

This year's interpack showcases the Romaco Group's sustainable high-speed blister line Unity 600 for the first time with the attached strap bander PF 75. This highlights the pharmaceutical machinery manufacturer's expertise in primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging of solid dosage forms.

Blister Line Unity 600

Powerful, sustainable, and flexible – the two-lane high-speed blister line Unity 600 from Romaco Noack packages a variety of tablets and capsules very quickly and reliably. The product range of the monoblock extends from very small and lightweight blisters to extremely large and heavy packages up to 145 mm in length and 90 mm in width. The blister line, with roller sealing and a continuously operating cartoner, achieves a maximum output of up to 600 blisters and 350 folding cartons per minute. It is also highly versatile in processing different packaging materials: in addition to standard PVC/aluminum or aluminum/aluminum blisters, the technology is suitable for climate-friendly blister films made from monomaterials such as PET or PP. The elimination of multi-layer composite films not only improves the CO2 footprint per blister but also facilitates sorting and recycling of disposed packages.

Better Sustainability

Overall, the Unity 600 impresses with its sustainable plant concept: The innovative transfer module, which transports stamped blisters to the cartoner, operates without energy-intensive vacuum. Instead, the blisters are safely conveyed on a transfer belt after being removed from the blister machine and directly handed over to the stacking transfer unit, where they are stably stacked from below. This highly automated transfer solution can also digitally map and directly compensate for gaps in the process via software. Consequently, no good blisters need to be retained for the stacking unit, enabling a track & trace system for blisters from the point of product feed.

Overall, the new Unity 600 achieves energy savings of up to 45% compared to its predecessor. This is also due to the installation of Venturi systems – where vacuum is technically necessary – for example, during the removal of folding cartons and leaflets. The relatively small and low-maintenance Venturi pumps emit significantly less heat than conventional vacuum pumps, greatly reducing energy consumption for climate control in cleanrooms. Additionally, the blister line features an intelligent standby function that significantly reduces the base load without negatively impacting overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). For sustainability reporting, the Unity 600 is equipped with an energy monitor that measures power and air consumption as well as the machine's CO2 emissions.

At interpack, Romaco will present the blister line Unity 600 for the first time configured with the new strap bander PF 75.

Strap Bander PF 75

The new strap bander PF 75 impresses with its extremely compact design, occupying only about 2 m² of space. Therefore, the end-of-line packaging machine can be flexibly integrated into any packaging line for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, even in confined spaces. It is designed to handle up to 450 folding cartons and is compatible with Romaco’s most powerful cartoner. For product changeovers, only a format part needs to be exchanged, which requires no tools. All other settings can be conveniently made via the control terminal (HMI) and quickly adjusted on just a few machine components. The clearly visible, tidy, and GMP-compliant machine concept shortens cleaning processes and enables quick line clearance. Bundling the folding cartons allows better organization of sales units and provides higher stability during packing into shipping cartons. This increases pallet storage capacity and ultimately reduces transportation costs. The launch of the PF 75 strap bander marks a strategic step toward completing Romaco’s end-of-line portfolio. Manufactured by Romaco’s long-standing technology partner, the SPH Group, the machine is an important component of the provider’s packaging lines. Thanks to the integration of ergonomic, low-maintenance technology, Romaco offers the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries a seamless complete solution across the entire process chain – all from a single source.

Continuous Horizontal Cartoner PC 4350

The continuous horizontal cartoner PC 4350 from Romaco Promatic was developed as a secondary packaging unit for the Unity 600 blister line and meets all requirements for integration into the powerful monoblock. It achieves a maximum output of up to 350 folding cartons per minute. The positively forced opening of the folding cartons prevents any friction, enabling very gentle handling of the packaging materials. Additionally, the use of counter-vacuum prevents unstable cartons from collapsing after upright positioning. In the PC 4350, the blister stacks are pushed from behind into the opened cartons. This ensures the entire insertion area is highly visible and easily accessible – a significant advantage for GMP-compliant cleaning and quick line clearance. Furthermore, the module for folding the leaflets is positioned in the running direction (not frontally) for the first time. This arrangement results in very short transport paths for patient information, increasing process safety, performance, and efficiency. In the case of a feed unit for pre-folded leaflets, a larger magazine can be provided without compromising operator ergonomics. The comprehensive fail-safe concept of the cartoner ensures that only verified products are released for the next production step. Besides blisters, the PC 4350 also packages plastic bottles, glass vials, strips, tubes, and many other products.

All from a Single Source – Complete Solutions from Romaco

Complementing its packaging technologies, the full-line provider Romaco will present further innovations from its processing portfolio at interpack: including the fully automatic tablet coating system Tecpharm 400, equipped with numerous intelligent features. For the first time, the KTS 840 tablet press will also be exhibited, specifically designed for compressing three-layer tablets for the nutraceuticals and food industries. Romaco emphasizes its laboratory expertise with live demonstrations of the fluidized bed processor VENTILUS® Lab and the compaction simulator KTP 1X.

Strong Partnerships

Through joint trade fair appearances with industry partners, Romaco offers further insights into its portfolio: The high-speed KTS 1000 press will be shown in line with the continuous folding machine BHS from Theegarten-Pactec for tablet and chewing gum packaging. In the food and confectionery sector, this technology is currently the most powerful on the market. 

Span Inspection Systems will demonstrate its latest camera inspection system using the example of the universally applicable, timed blister machine N 760. The inspection system ensures quality control and reliably detects various parameters such as presence, color, shape, breakage, etc., of the tablets or capsules to be packaged.