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The company chooses not to identify packaging speeds. But Wilhelm emphasizes that achieving current speeds was made possible not only by the Multivac equipment but also by other packaging equipment in the line that contributes greatly to overall efficiency.
Efficiency at work
Currently Safety 1st is running one Multivac Model R330 and two R530 machines. The most recent installation that went into production just more than a year ago is the R530. Located in the firm’s California plant it’s equipped with a Motoman pick-and-place robot.
In that application syringes are conveyed out of the automatic assembly machine in pucks that are six up. The robot uses mechanical grippers to pick the completed syringes out of the pucks and place them in pockets formed 10 across by the Multivac system.
With the syringes in place the containers are ready for application of the lidding material. As the lidstock leaves the unwind stand it moves past a Bell-Mark Flexprint II flexo printer that prints logo visual instruction aides the bar code and needle size in two colors.
The two webs then come together in a heat-seal station that marries them. A short distance later a lot number is printed on the lid by a Videojet ink-jet printer. This second in-line printer is required because of the unique lot number.
According to Wilhelm it’s not practical to make new flexo printing plates for the Bell-Mark for every lot that’s produced. The ink-jet printer easily reprogrammed at a keypad when a lot number changes makes more sense.
Individual packs are cut free from each other by knives. From there the packs are conveyed to a station where they are hand packed for delivery. Afterwards e-beam or gamma sterilization is conducted by an outside party before shipment across the country.
According to Wilhelm the new equipment in the California plant has been every bit as satisfactory as the machines installed in the other two plants.
“Multivac’s service and integration support provide the production edge we needed to compete in this industry. Our products have to arrive in pristine condition and Multivac’s packaging systems and service have helped us to accomplish our goals on time and on budget” he says.
Available nationwide Safety 1st syringes continue to gain market share since their 2001 launch in the United States. —ALR
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