Retrofit Filling Lines
Need
Automate and streamline the filling sequence in existing robot cells.
AstraZeneca needed help upgrading a partially automated robot cell for filling Turbuhalers (asthma medication inhalers).
Reduce the need for manual work inside the robot cells.
The filling takes place at a high rate, 120 products per minute per line. Previously, the canister with the substance (asthma medication) was manually moved between the four filling stations.
Our task was to create equipment that automatically moved the canister to the station that needed to be refilled with the substance.
Solution
Servo-Controlled Automation
SEJFO and AstraZeneca had a very close collaboration in the choice of technology and how the equipment should be designed to meet the cleanliness requirements while achieving high availability.
The solution was that we designed, constructed, and installed servo-controlled equipment with a holder for the substance canister. It moves to the station that needs more substance when the station signals a need.
The solution was implemented in an existing line and verified and validated according to GAMP requirements.
Facts
| Customer | AstraZeneca |
|---|---|
| Production Start | 2022 |
| Industry | Pharmaceutical |
| Managed Product | Inhalers |
| Product Size | 70mm |
| Product Weight | 120g |
| Serial Number | A19049 |
| Cycle Time | 120 parts per min |
Result
Increased Availability and Less Manual Work
The result was a unique updated robot cell containing an automated filling station that is now in operation, manufacturing Turbuhalers in a production line that requires significantly less manual intervention than the other production lines at the customer.
