Vision systems advance quality control capabilities
CONTROL & AUTOMATION BLISTER PACK INSPECTION
OPTIMAL INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION
Vision systems advance quality control capabilities
In the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries , every pack of oral solid dosage ( OSD ) form and its content must be carefully inspected to guarantee that it meets quality standards and complies with regulatory requirements . While traditional control methods have considerable limitations , by adopting advanced vision inspection methods , manufacturers can transform blister pack inspections into an extremely accurate , precise and efficient operation .
Matt Jones , Account Manager at Optimal Industrial Automation , looks at how state-of-the-art vision systems can advance quality control activities on blister packs .
In the world of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals , packaging is paramount . Among the variety of packaging solutions available , blister packs have emerged as a popular choice due to their versatility , costeffectiveness , and tamper-evident features . The individual pockets on the packs protect each OSD form , ensuring precise dosing , tamper evidence and prolonged shelf life . However , their effectiveness depends heavily on the accuracy of the packaging process , therefore , their inspection is a crucial task .
This quality control activity should detect defects in OSD forms , such as chipped or broken tablets as well as any foreign objects on them , and ensure that the right medicaments are being packed . In particular , for lines that process multiple medicines , there should not be any mix-up . It is also vital to spot any empty pocket or OSDs that have been incorrectly positioned within the blister packaging . Following this analysis , any off-spec blister pack needs to be discarded .
Traditional quality control methods , such as manual inspections or basic machinery , often fall short in guaranteeing the required level of precision and reliability . Furthermore , they can contribute to extended , ineffective cycle times . Industrial automation solutions that leverage high-power vision systems
Optimal Industrial Automation developed new blister pack inspection machines consisting of two vision systems to support a tablet manufacturer that was surprised by a sudden breakdown ( Image source : iStock : 1285400923 )
38 PECM Issue 67