Secure in the future

Location technology enables the precise localization of any moving machine part or person equipped with a transponder. Events and deviations can be easily recorded in the Pharma MES, and entries in the batch record are made automatically and save time.

From August 22 to 26, 2022, ROTZINGER PharmaPack presented their digital solutions for pharmaceutical production at this year's Achema in Frankfurt. The focus was on their extensive portfolio around machine networking – a key advantage for the efficiency and safety of production processes. "With our innovative solutions, we aim to support our customers in adapting their production to dynamic market developments and preparing for a digital future – an essential transformation process for us as well," explained Fabian Ritter, Product Manager at ROTZINGER PharmaPack. In addition to digital initiatives, the packaging specialists showcased numerous new products at Achema, such as robot-assisted Pick & Place technologies for bottle orientation, flexible filling and capping machines for pharmaceuticals, as well as a cartoning machine for paper-based syringe packaging and innovative Track-and-Trace solutions.

Digital Localization Standard for Safe and Efficient Production

To remain competitive, manufacturers must constantly monitor market developments and respond quickly to current trends and needs. Digital solutions for their production and packaging processes support them in this. ROTZINGER Pharmapack develops interfaces for optimal communication, both between humans and machines and among machines themselves. Together with its partners Trumpf Tracking Technologies GmbH and Flowcate, ROTZINGER Pharmapack, a company of the ROTZINGER Group, presented at Achema the new technological standard omlox, which provides new impulses for creating electronic batch records for the pharmaceutical industry. omlox enables the provision of location data regardless of technology and manufacturer, significantly facilitating batch documentation in the pharmaceutical production area.

Furthermore, visitors to the Achema booth could learn about the new Manufacturing Execution System (MES) DF4 – Pharma, a cross-line system for controlling the production process in the pharmaceutical sector. The MES, in conjunction with the omlox localization standard, ensures improved documentation and traceability of personnel, materials, and tools used in production. The automated system collects and documents various data, helping to improve process quality and simplify traceability of all steps in the production process. Automated tasks and process steps can be documented directly at the machine by confirming with the operating personnel and automatically stored in the batch record with the relevant additional information. When combined with the user's location information, a user-friendly second factor for the proven two-factor authentication can also be established.

For the digital localization of objects and personnel tags, the MES solution DF4 uses UWB (Ultra Wideband) technology provided by Trumpf Tracking Technologies. It transmits broadband signals and can determine the relative position of a compact, mobile transponder (tag) to multiple fixed base stations (satellites) independently of interference and other radio signals. The transponders, together with the base stations, form the core zone of omlox (omlox core zone). The radio interface between satellites and tags is specified (air interface), allowing manufacturer-independent integration of additional devices based on omlox. The DeepHub software solution (omlox Hub) by Flowcate now centrally collects location information from all core zones or complementary zones, regardless of the technologies used, and makes it available to all relevant applications. Furthermore, within production, areas can be defined in DeepHub: so-called "Fences," which trigger individually configurable actions when entered or exited – enabling documentation of requirements regarding the presence of personnel and materials. This allows, on one hand, the transfer of the location of qualified employees or various process requirements from the Master Batch Record into the batch protocol. Additionally, DF4 also enables complete traceability of equipment in the respective process, such as which tools and molds were used, which cleaning devices or disposal containers were in use at the recorded time.

In addition to digital solutions, ROTZINGER PharmaPack also presented a diverse portfolio for pharmaceutical packaging at Achema:

– Robot bottle orienter: The most efficient system for bottle orientation with Pick & Place technology
– Linear filling and capping machine: Filling of your pharmaceutical and cosmetic products with maximum flexibility and efficiency
– Takted cartoning machine for syringes: Optimal packaging platform combined with our all-paper packaging Eco Save Pack solution for your products
– Track & Trace: Serialization and aggregation solutions for your packaging lines
– Wyzo: The world's first high-speed Pick & Place sidebot, capable of working with your production team
– Packaging consulting together with our partner Faller Packaging
– Pharma MES and digital factory: Our latest innovation – production facilities and logistics systems that can largely organize themselves