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Pharmaworks, a ProMach product brand, introduces its new enhanced TF1e blister machine at PACK EXPO International in Booth W-16017. Now with auto-adjusting stations utilizing laser feedback, an extended heater station and more, this compact machine can handle more challenging packaging films like 100-percent recyclable, mono-materials and achieves a new thermoforming depth of up to 40 mm. With more production versatility, the enhanced TF1e helps manufacturers and contract packers optimize product quality, reduce labor and improve profitability.
“Our TF1e blister machine is an industry leader, delivering world-class capabilities that are unprecedented on a system of its size and price point. Now, we’ve upgraded it to accommodate two rising trends in blister packaging – sustainable films and medical devices,” said Ben Brower, co-founder and current Director of Applications at Pharmaworks. “Recyclable mono-materials can be finicky to form and seal, and our enhanced TF1e includes additional features that handle these new films and other challenging materials with ease. We’ve also nearly doubled the TF1e’s thermoforming depth to fit larger medical devices, which are increasing in popularity.”
Running up to 90 indexes per minute and equipped with sophisticated cGMP features, the TF1e is ideal for pharmaceutical, biotech, nutraceutical and consumer good manufacturers and contract packers. This fully servo-driven, intermittent-motion system supports both thermoforming and cold forming applications and is compatible with all corresponding materials including polypropylene. The usable forming area is 90 by 165 mm with a new forming depth of 40 mm. Optional product vision inspection and print vision inspection are available, as well as full serialization if needed.
To accommodate mono-materials and other challenging films that shrink and stretch during the blister forming process, the enhanced TF1e features a new extended heater station that gives the material more time to be warmed gently. The seal, perforation and die cut stations include new laser-based auto-adjusting stations, so if the film begins to shrink or stretch, the laser detects the change and automatically cues a servo motor to adjust the station position to compensate, without any operator intervention.
Designed for manufacturers and contract packers running medium and small batch sizes such as clinical trials, the TF1e changes over in less than 10 minutes with no tools required. New quick release covers improve maintenance access to each station.
To maximize versatility, the modular TF1e is available with different feeders, accessories and floor plans, as well as a wide variety of options. A new Rockwell/Allen-Bradley control system simplifies operation and maintenance. A 20-inch (50-cm) color touchscreen HMI presents a large and intuitive user interface.
Visit Booth W-16017 at PACK EXPO International 2024, Nov. 3-6 in Chicago, where the enhanced Tf1e blister machine will be exhibited with a fully-integrated, state-of-the-art Pharmaworks robotic pick-and-place feeding system for medical devices and four-color digital printer from Greydon, another ProMach Pharma brand.
Pharmaworks Introduces FR1 Robotic Feeder for Blister Machines at PACK EXPO 2024
Pharmaworks also introduces its FR1 robotic feeder for blister machines at PACK EXPO International in Booth W-16017. Ideal for a wide range of drug delivery devices including autoinjectors, nasal sprays and prefilled syringes as well as consumer goods, this versatile pick-and-place system seamlessly transfers and orients products for blister packaging. Matching the high speeds of advanced blister machines, the new FR1 achieves superior flexibility and fast changeovers between different products.
"The pharmaceutical and medical device industries are experiencing a significant shift towards more agile systems that package a variety of high-value products in small batches," said Ben Brower, co-founder and Director of Applications at Pharmaworks. "Our FR1 robotic feeder offers great versatility, handling many types of devices and easily sliding up to dock on any compatible blister machine. For example, this means a customer can be running nasal applicators on a blister machine with the new FR1 in the morning, then the FR1 can be quickly rolled away and replaced with our FA1 or FF1 feeder to package oral solid dose products in the afternoon.”
The FR1 robotic feeder features a simple yet sophisticated pick-and-place design that’s straightforward to operate. Products are loaded into a hopper, then gravity-fed into a servo-controlled belt for precise indexing at the pick point. The robot’s head swings over to retrieve the required number of products and then swings back to place them into the blister machine. Changeover to new products can be completed in less than 10 minutes with no tools required, minimizing downtime between production runs.
Compatible with Pharmaworks blister machines and those from other suppliers, the FR1 can be integrated with installed machines and retrofit to existing systems in the field, making it an ideal solution for manufacturers and contract packers looking to upgrade their capabilities without a complete line overhaul. The FR1 is fully integrated with the blister machine's control system, allowing operators to manage the automation of both systems through a single touchscreen control panel.
"Being a member of the ProMach family means we offer our FR1 robotic feeder and other blister packaging technology as part of completely turnkey lines, which can include labeling and handling systems from NJM and WLS, cartooning and palletizing solutions from Serpa and more,” added Bower. “Manufacturers and packers who work with us are guaranteed seamless integration between systems, and we provide a single point of contact for purchase, installation and aftermarket service. This streamlined approach simplifies and improves our customers’ entire experience.”
The FR1 robotic feeder will be on display at PACK EXPO International 2024 in Booth W-16017, where it will be fully integrated with an enhanced TF1 blister machine.
