GMP-compliant packaging machine ensures quick format change and secure line clearance

GMP Machine

At interpack 2014, Multivac presents an innovative packaging solution for life science and healthcare products. The solution is based on a thermoforming packaging machine, whose machine concept has been optimized for applications requiring high flexibility in packaging demanding products.

"Life science and healthcare products are now produced in ever smaller batch sizes to meet regional or other specific requirements. Therefore, manufacturers place very high demands on quick format changes, secure line clearance, and intelligent automation technologies for loading and unloading. We have optimized our packaging solution to meet these requirements," says Valeska Haux, Marketing Director of Multivac.

With the new thermoforming packaging machine, Multivac has largely separated process and technical rooms. All installation units, including hoses, cables, and valves, have been moved from inside the machine to the back of the machine. This reduces the risk of products getting stuck inside the machine during the packaging process and the machine needing to be stopped. This ensures quick and safe line clearance.

Furthermore, the machine is clad with a transparent front made of polycarbonate, whose large doors can be easily opened. This allows operating personnel to clearly see the interior spaces, which are additionally illuminated, and quickly identify and remove lost products. Accessibility and cleanability of the machine have also been further improved with these design measures.

A quick and reproducible format change enables the machine to be reconfigured for various batch sizes. The company has expanded the application possibilities of its proven drawer system, which was previously only used for user-friendly changing of form and seal tools. Multivac now also offers corresponding change systems for punch tools. Additionally, the changeover of the complete cutting tool has been simplified, reducing the retooling time of all components to a minimum.

The new thermoforming packaging machine offers great flexibility regarding the arrangement of different modules, the packaging materials processed, packaging formats, and batch sizes. For example, this machine can process both flexible foil and rigid foil. In addition to producing vacuum packs, the new thermoforming machine is also designed for manufacturing packs with modified atmosphere and reduced oxygen content. Due to its flexible design, the machine concept is also ideally suited for packaging a wide variety of products, such as syringes, ampoules, vials, or injectors.

The user-friendly conveyor control via Multivac's HMI 2.0 interface and the sensitive sensor technology of the machine ensure consistently high product quality and comprehensive quality assurance. With the track-and-trace functionality, the company complies with serialization and marking regulations of individual countries.