Pack small batches flexibly and reproducibly

THE production and packaging procedures in the medical products and healthcare industry are characterised by the individuality of the pack content and of the labelling or marking: medical and healthcare products are increasingly being tailored to local markets and patient requirements. This means that production batches be-come ever smaller. The number of batch changes also increases. As regards the packaging area, there is therefore particular demand for solutions, which are flexible and have process reliability.

At Fachpack 2013, which takes place in Nuremberg from 24-26 September, Multivac will be showing three compact packaging machines for the medical products and healthcare industry, which enable even very small batches and frequently changing product groups to be packed flexibly. These packaging solutions ensure a reliable, reproducible and traceable packaging procedure.

Among the exhibits in this specific sector are the R 145 thermoforming packaging machine, in which a MR296 direct web printer is integrated, as well as the T 260 traysealer and the C 400 TC special chamber machine with temperature-controlled sealing bar. All three models are designed in accordance with the Multivac Clean Design, and they meet the cleanroom and cleanliness requirements of product manufacturers and packers.

C 400 TC special chamber machine with temperature-controlled sealing bar

These packaging machines are "very efficient entry-level models with a high level of process reliability, which are ideally suited to the packaging of sterile medical items and healthcare products in smaller and medium-size batches," said Verena Weiss, product manager for the MCP (Medical, Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals) business division at Multivac.

The compact models have a particularly high level of process reliability. "In the case of the R 145, we have for example designed the sealing station in such a way, that an exceptionally precise temperature distribution over the entire sealing surface is ensured. This means that seal seams with high peel strengths are produced, which improves the seal quality and pack reliability," Ms Weiss explained.

With the T 260 the packaging procedure can be set seamlessly, which produces outstanding precision. The semi-automatic traysealer also gives a complete overview of the entire process as well as traceability of the individual process stages during packing.

With the example of the C 400 TC, a special chamber machine with a temperature-controlled sealing bar for sterile medical products, Multivac will be presenting a solution for the traceability and seamless documentation of the packaging procedure with the aid of barcodes and RFID radio chips.

Multivac packaging machines can run the widest range of packaging materials, including flexible films, rigid films and aluminium laminates. Gas flushing devices are integrated across the series, so that MAP packs can also be produced.

Exact print image on the film

The MR 296 TI direct web printer from Multivac Marking & Inspection, which is integrated in the R 145 thermoforming packaging machine, will also be on show at Nuremberg. The thermal inkjet printer is particularAir Jordan XXXII 32 Shoes