A serialisation and aggregation solution that meets all requirements must be highly flexible and modular. At ACHEMA, Bosch Packaging Technology's Pharma division will be presenting its Carton Printing System 1900 WTE (CPS) with integrated checkweigher, which serialises the smallest sealable unit, such as folding cartons. The new reworks station enables easier data handling, even beyond the end of production.
Serialisation and aggregation stages
A holistic serialisation and aggregation process begins at the application level (Level 1). Here, the modular CPS system from Bosch serialises up to 400 folding boxes per minute. The camera system automatically verifies the printed tracking data. The tamper-evident labeller then applies an additional Safety victoriesl.
However, serialisation is not limited to folding cartons. Bosch also offers a solution for printing and checking labels on bottles. If required, the solution can also apply an auxiliary code to the base or cap of the bottle. The modules can be controlled and the data documented via a central control unit (level 2).
In addition to the CPS serialisation modules, which serialise the smallest sealable units such as cartons or bottles, Bosch has developed CPA modules for the product aggregation of different packaging levels such as bundles, boxes or pallets.
To ensure that both operating states and data can be monitored at all times, networking between the physical machine level and the line software multilevel be integrated into the company's IT (level 3). The CPI solution for Track & Trace is used from this level onwards. Data connections between all lines enable all lines to be monitored from a central point, even if they are distributed across different locations. This means that all relevant data is available throughout the entire company network and all events are recorded in the Audit trail logged. The data records are bundled together with the production results and sent back to the CPI software in accordance with the aggregation specifications. From there, they can be transferred to the manufacturer's own databases.
View of the overall picture
Depending on the country and directive, the serial numbers are either assigned centrally throughout the country or generated by the company itself. Contract manufacturers, on the other hand, obtain the numbers from their clients. The CPI solution from Bosch is equipped for all three cases. It not only allows serialisation to be managed from the allocation of the serial number to the final aggregation stage.
Manufacturers can also flexibly network individual components, machines from other suppliers, packaging lines, their own or third-party IT systems and entire factories - depending on the relevant guidelines. It is therefore worth thinking outside the box: both for manufacturers and contract packers as well as for machine builders focussing on international customers.
Bosch Packaging Technology at ACHEMA 2018: Hall 3.1, Stand C71
