The global pharmaceutical industry is facing significant changes. Compliance with current and pending regulations on state, national, and international stages demands the attention and resources of already strapped pharmaceutical manufacturers. To overcome challenges to meet new regulations and increase production efficiency, pharmaceutical manufacturers are stepping up their operations by implementing advanced automation and robotic solutions.
Today’s robotics meet zero-error quality expectations, all in less space and at reduced costs. Following is a sample of some of the latest technology that will be showcased atPharma Expo 2014Nov. 2-2 in Chicago. Pharma Expo, which will be co-located with PACK EXPO International 2014, is co-produced by the国际药品工程学会（ISPE）， 和PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.
Robotic cartoning, labeling, and filling
超级进取的机器人技术领先于纸箱，标签，填充和材料处理设备。展出的许多新生产单元将具有高级检查，传感器和控制系统。较新的生产单元已经过设计，可以将计算机机器人技术中最好的产品结合起来，并需要在生产线上的灵活性。
At Pharma EXPO 2014,科拉纳尔(Booth # 576) will introduce its FSM modular benchtop filling system. This innovation is suitable for producing small batches for clinical trials or other uses in which flexibility, accuracy, and short changeover time are beneficial. Each module features a state-of-the-art control system including touchscreen HMI, PLC, and servo drives. The FSM system is built to customer specifications, eliminating the need for separate costly filling machines.
Another example of advances in productivity, flexibility, and changeover speed comes fromFette Compacting America(Booth # 665). The company will showcase its FE35 Tablet Press, which can be fitted with up to 51 stations to produce up to 367,000 tablets/hr. The FE35 is clad in easily detachable, FDA-certified polymer panels and offers 360-degree access. All product contact parts are stainless steel, and the machine’s geometrically optimized surfaces offer easy handling and fast cleaning.
The need for speed
To remain competitive and thrive in this industry, pharmaceutical manufacturers are seeking out solutions to speed their operations, bring products to market faster, and create greater revenue opportunities.
DENSO Robotics(Booth #931) responds to the industry’s need for automation with the compact and high-speed DENSO VS-050 six-axis aseptic robot, which DENSO will introduce at Pharma Expo 2014.
标准周期时间为0.37秒的VS-050无菌机器人专为需要生物污染控制的药物处理和包装等应用而设计。传统的机器人不能在这些应用中使用，因为它们不能用过氧化氢或紫外线对其进行灭菌。
In addition to an ISO 5 cleanroom rating, the robot features nickel-plated aluminum coverings and sealed joints that allow it to be safely sterilized with hydrogen peroxide or UV light. The smooth, rounded, and polished exterior of the robot has no external screws to keep dirt, dust, and other contaminants from adhering to its surface.
Applying quality safeguards
With stringent regulatory standards in place for product safety and quality, reliable automated technologies are in high demand.ONELITE(Booth # 450), which provides products to prevent product tampering and counterfeiting, will introduce the Onelite Ar-Box at Pharma Expo 2014.
AR-Box是一种高速，自动线性标签系统，旨在涂抹自粘标签或篡改封印，以使其在封闭盒的上部和/或底部面上tuck瓣纸箱的不可侵犯性。该机器的紧凑设计使制造商可以选择添加打印机和可追溯性系统，而无需创建巨大的额外空间。
The Ar-Box can incorporate up to three labeling heads and reach a maximum output of 400 units/min, significantly increasing throughput. The machine comes equipped with advanced controls and a variety of user-friendly interface options that keep a record of user activity and events to meet FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.
The system is well-suited for pharmaceutical labs that need to comply with new traceability laws without having to upgrade existing packaging lines or expand their facility footprint.
Balancing efficiency and accuracy
Another fast-growing category at Pharma Expo 2014 is units of specialized analytical equipment designed to handle the growing volume of highly potent and costly drugs, where less-than-perfect measuring means waste and loss.
交流压实LLC（摊位＃577）将聚焦CI Precision的Sade Tablet/Capsule重量分隔器，该分层称重片剂，胶囊和类似的固体剂型形式，并通过“接受”或“拒绝”对其进行分类。
通常，开发部门使用该机器按重量和生产产品的临床试验批次进行排序，从而可以节省大量成本，因为这些产品通常很少或昂贵。批量或胶囊的批次可以分类为100％，以进行完全质量保证。Sade系列配备了两个散装料斗，使其适用于24小时无人值守的操作。
SADE sorters can be quickly changed over between products without the need for tools and change parts, and are ready to handle virtually any pharmaceutical solid dosage form.
In another instance,Per-Fil Industries, Inc.(Booth # 516), a filling equipment provider, previews its Per-Fil Micro-6 Inline Filling System that features high-speed and accurate dispensing of medical compounds into vials, bottles, blister packs, pouches, and syringes.
该系统旨在以极高的精度分配到15毫克至150克的颗粒状，粉末和粘性糊状产品中。通过在一个常见的料斗中利用多个螺旋钻，Micro-6每个周期填充了六个容器，提供所需的吞吐量而不牺牲填充精度。
Combined, Pharma Expo and PACK EXPO International 2014 is expected to feature 2,000 exhibitors in more than 1.1 million net sq ft of exhibit space, and will attract more than 50,000 attendees.
