Labelling & Serialization Integration

Combined with tampering, duplication or substitution (placing inferior goods), counterfeiting affects also brand reputation and brand value.

New regulations have been implemented to safeguard the quality and safety of the products. Track and trace programs ensure traceability of a given product’s chain of custody from the Manufacture to the End Consumer.

T&T solutions include any additional information generated at each packaging step during the various aggregation levels in the distribution chain and record it in the corresponding code sent to the central database, from primary to secondary packaging.

IMA machines, being these cartoners, labelers or EOL equipment, are pre-arranged to accept the integration of any T&T solutions from third party vendors. In this way, we support our customers to cope with already standardized solutions at their plants, even when installing a complete new line, without any major problem.

Differently from other machine manufacturers, that offer a separate serialization unit, the IMA approach is much more flexible in terms of cameras and software installations. Depending from the carton Tamper Evident closure chosen by the customer we can install a T&T unit either on the cartoner or on the labeller. If the tamper evident closure is obtained by gluing the carton’s flaps, then the unit will be installed and integrated onto the cartoning machine. 

On the contrary, if the tamper evident closure is realized by means of a label on the carton flaps, then the unit can be installed directly on the labelling machine. We leave all these choices to the customers who is therefore free to follow the best way for their production requirements.

Thanks to its broad experience in complete packaging lines integration, IMA can also support and help customers, who approach the serialization requirements for the first time, or those who do not have specific requests regarding any particular solution or supplier, to make the best choice in order to cope with the serialization challenges.

The global pharmaceutical industry is moving towards a serialized world. In many countries, regulatory mandates to secure the supply chain are already in place or in development. By the year 2020, Track & Trace regulations will cover more than 80% of the global drug supply.

Choosing the right Supplier and establishing long-term relationships with strong Partners is vital for the Pharmaceutical companies. On the other hand, the ideal Supplier must be informed about the current regulatory requirements and be equipped to fulfill Customers’ needs in terms of trusted solutions. 

IMA Life labellers feature different solutions to align the packaging of pharmaceutical products to emerging requirements in terms of Track & Trace of the final products.
Mass serialisation of pharmaceutical products is in fact an important issue for the industry worldwide. It aims at avoiding drug counterfeiting and should guarantee safety and the traceability of each single product back along the entire supply chain.

On the international scene, many countries are now moving forward with respect to this issue, approving new specific laws. The data to be tracked and traced, such as the batch number, expiry date, production plant, etc., are contained within a 2D Data Matrix code, which includes all the information to be traced in a very limited space, if compared with traditional bar-codes. A printer applies the code to the product and then a camera vision system reads and checks it.

In view of this new requirement in the pharmaceutical industry, IMA Life offers different customised solutions for new or existing packaging lines.
Thanks to the configuration flexibility of the operative groups, allowing their displacement, the Sensitive labelling machines can fit the following devices:

• An inkjet or laser printer to print Data Matrix codes and human readable data on the cartons
• A camera vision system to read and check data (batch number, expiry date, progressive Matrix)

Also available:

• Code reader for RFID labellers
• Carton codification only

IMA Life has already supplied several solutions of this kind to major pharmaceutical multinationals worldwide.
Further customisation is possible according to the production needs of a specific international market, where the legal regulations in terms of product serialisation can be slightly different one from the other.
With the support of our valued partners, all the labelling machines can be easily integrated with information systems such as SAP and MES.

IMA LIFE CAN WORK WITH ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS OF SOFTWARE AND CAMERA VISION SYSTEMS ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOMER’S SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.

Mindful of the diversity of the track & trace needs worldwide as well as the numberless applications already in place by our Customers, to our blister and cartoning machines, we provide the maximum flexibility in terms of installation of ink-jet/laser printing systems, cameras and vision systems.

Our offer includes both stand-alone as retrofit and integrated applications. These last are the ideal solution to have a more compact line, higher efficiency and flexibility as they allow the easy installation of any device or special feature required for Serialization.

The serialization process, together with the demand of tamper-evident cartons solutions has led IMA Safe to develop cold glue closing system for anti-counterfeiting purposes.

The integrated module for high-speed machines is the ideal solution to have a shorter line and higher efficiency because of less units in the line and a 100% control of the carton in the tooth transport belt during the entire process.

The flexibility of this module gives the chance to apply the side or the top printing depending on customer request.

The integrated module allows to gain enough space inside the machine to a greater flexibility in the application of the carton closures, both by means of glue and not.

Integrated module – side printing

Integrated module – top printing

IMA Safe is able to provide a solution also for already delivered cartoners; the stand alone module as retrofit guarantees the maximum efficiency with a total control of the carton in the tooth belt.

When approaching the Aggregation process steps, the best practice recommends that the inspection of the commissioned item should take place as close as possible to the aggregation. Indeed, our position is to keep the operation of the machine as simple as possible in order to prevent any potential misalignment with the vision system.  

IMA BFB equipment combine functionality and ease of use especially when it comes to track and trace solutions, starting from the smallest saleable unit throughout the complete end of line process.  

Aggregation is the process of assigning (packaging) children to a parent. This means that the commissioned item (the child) is packed into a higher-level package (the parent), establishing a parent-child relationship

The best practice recommends that the inspection of the children should take place as close as possible to the aggregation. This makes it easier to keep the vision system and the equipment aligned. The electronic representation must always match with the physical one.

Key factors affecting the aggregation process are:

1. Serialized product: carton or bottle (each saleable unit with unique Identifier Code)
2. Production speed (infeed and outcome)
3. Position where the serialization code has been placed (top, bottom and flap)
4. Level of aggregation required (cartons/bottles to bundle, cartons/bottles to case, case to pallet)
5. Printing systems for aggregation codes on the hierarchies packaging parents (bundle, case, pallet)
6. Vision system to be integrated

The different combination of the first three key elements (product, speed and position of the code) generate three different methods of aggregation process:

Single Layer Reading

• The HD camera reads collation of codes printed on cartons or bottles in the hopper or inside the case

Row by Row Reading

• The camera reads rows of codes printed on cartons or bottles on machine infeed

Single Code Reading

• The camera reads single codes printed on cartons or bottles on machine infeed

IMA BFB makes the real difference in simplifying the whole process, while responding to the various factors influencing vision accuracy:

• Sunlight variations through the day: we keep cameras and lights isolated into the machine
• Poor lighting, heat, dirt, or dust: we guarantee total visibility of carton layers
• High line speeds: we can supply a full range of machines, covering any speed requirements
• Quick changeover: we set camera and lights in fix position
• Highly reflective packaging materials: we have designed a lifting pusher to give total visibility of carton layers
• Technical competence of operators: we guarantee a clear visibility of products during the whole process and total control during inspection.

The movable hopper follows the cartons collation up into the case and facilitates security of case content.