PACKAGING RESOURCE CENTER
Small-Format Thermoformer
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A form-fill-seal machine suits small-run production needs. The KBS-GS provides turnkey blister packaging with smaller format range, smaller quick-change tooling, and a decreased footprint from larger systems. The KBS-GS has a maximum forming and sealing area of 250 × 150 mm and output of up to 15 cycles per minute. Overall machine width adjusts to maximize material utilization. Full servo drive and IPC controls maintain precise control of process parameters. Koch Packaging Systems LP, Towaco, NJ; 973/541-7312; www.kochpackaging.com.
Blister Card Folder
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New devices emphasize modular stations and devices for future flexibility and product changeover. The Blister Card Folder/Wallet Card machines are available at speeds of up to 300 packages per minute. They produce pharmaceutical wallet cards or provide assembly and folding of heat-sealed cards. The devices are configurable for either in-line with a blister thermoforming machine or off-line in batch mode. MGS Machine Corp., Maple Grove, MN; 763/425-8808; www.mgsmachine.com.
Blister Packaging Machines
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A line of machines provides pharmaceutical manufacturers with servo-drive performance, balcony-style design, and a positive-transfer system. The IWK BlisterPac BP series separates the drives of the machine from product-contact areas, easing both cleaning and clearance processes. Independent servos drive the machines and enable the adjustment of individual process times without affecting other stations. The BlisterPac machines can package up to 600 blisters per minute and are available as intermittent- or continuous-motion formats. Oystar USA, Pharmaceutical Packaging Div., Fairfield, NJ; 973/227-5575; www.oystarusa.com.
Modular Blister Machine
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A blister machine outputs a maximum of 400 blisters per minute. The UPS 5 uses different modes of operation to package solid and liquid products. Its large format area and 40-mm forming depth offer flexibility. The UPS 5 packages liquid-filled devices such as syringes, ampules, patches, topical blisters, and all-aluminum blisters. It can also package solids and process plastics. Uhlmann USA, Towaco, NJ; 973/402-8855; www.uhlmann-usa.com.
Blister Printer
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A printing unit runs in-line or as a stand-alone while printing anticounterfeit solutions for pharmaceutical blister packs. The DTS 1200’s digital printing technology allows each pack to be printed with a randomly generated unique number, which traces the time, date, and location of its packaging. The technology can be combined with color, bar code, graphic, and UV features to produce a secure product identifiable as genuine. The DTS 1200 offers 1200-dpi resolution in the range of 0.5 to 20 m/min, with up to four simultaneous PMS color dynamic printing of variable and real-time data. The DTS 1200 accommodates a range of fonts, graphics, drawings, data fields, text, and bar codes, including GS1 Data Bar. CSAT America LLC, Louisville, CO; 303/666-9993; www.csatamerica.com.
