Semi-automatic inspection machine: automatic handling for visual control of pharmaceuticals

Highest standards in the quality control of pharmaceutical products, at a speed of up to 9000 pharmaceutical containers per hour. In comparison with manual inspection, a visual inspection with automated product handling can be carried out more accurately, effortlessly and up to 5 times faster.

Simultaneous inspection of multiple criteria in one machine, by one person. The conditions required are created by various lighting and mirror systems. At a glance, the operator can inspect containers for particles in the product, contamination, cracks or glass damage to the bottom, shoulder and cap area.

Perfectly matched components at the infeed reduce the risk of glass breakages, so downtime is prevented. For example, a tilted container is detected immediately at the infeed star wheel and the product feed is automatically stopped.

Inspection parameters such as rotation speed or light intensity are saved with the respective recipe in the HMI and uploaded automatically. It is therefore a simple matter to implement a reproducible setting of inspection parameters for each batch.

When changing to another product the machine is adapted by a quick and toolfree format change: All format parts are clearly marked and numbered. With the product recipe automatic settings are loaded. Instructions for manual changes can be saved in the HMI.

Many different container shapes and sizes, from 0.5 to 1000 millilitres in volume. Depending on the format set, ampules, cartridges, vials and bottles with liquid or freeze-dried contents can be inspected, as well as syringes. Diameters can be between 6.85 and 95 millimetres and height up to 240 millimetres.

Container infeed can take place inline from an upstream system or offline from cassettes with or without a buffer. Defective products can be categorised, and good products either removed manually using cassettes or conveyed inline to the next machine in the line.

When your production requirements change – new containers, different sizes, different products or other inspection criteria, new technologies, inline instead of offline operation – the modular structure of Seidenader machines allows them to undergo many types of retrofit - even many years after commissioning.

Maximum support and ease of use for the operator: the optimal ergonomic design of the machine effectively prevents premature fatigue and therefore provides a basis for the highest quality standards in visual inspection.

The cabin, widened to 80 centimetres, and an open leg area make for optimal working. Defective products are marked by a brief, effortless lifting of the index finger – the hand is ergonomically supported. An LED feedback bar provides an optimal overview: a coloured light indicates if a container is marked.

To facilitate visual inspection, a magnifying lens, adjustable mirrors and, depending on the container, product and inspection criteria, various lighting systems are available. The variable-speed transport system for the containers also considerably speeds up and facilitates inspection.

The machine is operated intuitively via a user-friendly widescreen touchpanel. The software and control panel (HMI) meet the high standards of Seidenader's fully automatic inspection machines.