Pharmaceutical Preparation Machine Continuous Container Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for pharmaceutical product preparation have long production cycles and low productivity due to the need for stopping the machine during container loading and unloading, and the robotized arm's inefficiency in transferring containers between stations.
Innovation Solution
A machine design with a sterile containment chamber, a robotized arm for gripping and transporting containers, and a conveyor system that allows continuous loading and unloading of syringes, bottles, and infusion bags without stopping the machine, using a pneumatic air flow to maintain sterility and a star-like wheel for efficient bag handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robotized arm is used to transfer containers between the store, weighing station, and dosing station, then the machine can operate with automated container handling, but the production cycle becomes long and productivity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into multiple independent stations (store, weighing station, dosing station, collection station) arranged in a circular path. Each station can operate independently and simultaneously, with containers being transferred between stations by a conveyor system rather than a single robotized arm, enabling parallel operations and continuous production flow
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system enables continuous movement of containers through all stations without interruption. Multiple containers can be at different stages of processing simultaneously, eliminating idle time and ensuring that the production process continues uninterrupted, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining automated handling
2Ease of operation
If the machine is stopped for store loading and unloading operations, then containers can be properly loaded and unloaded, but productivity decreases due to interruptions in production
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system allows containers to be continuously fed into the store and collected from it without stopping the production process. The store acts as a buffer that can be loaded and unloaded independently while the production cycle continues uninterrupted, maintaining both ease of operation and production continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system serves as an intermediary mechanism that decouples the loading/unloading operations from the production process. Containers can be loaded onto or unloaded from the conveyor at the store without affecting the ongoing production activities at other stations, enabling independent operation of loading/unloading functions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The machine achieves increased productivity by allowing continuous operation during loading and unloading, reducing production cycles, and maintaining sterile conditions, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical product preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic device of known type, shaped so as to feed a flow of sterile air through chamber 3 and prevent the introduction of air from the external environment into chamber 3
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products has a pocket conveyor (8) provided with a plurality of pockets (33) each adapted to receive and hold a respective container (9), at least one operating station (34; 35; 36) to carry out an operation on the containers (9), and a transfer device (37) which is movable with rectilinear movement to transfer the containers (9) between the pocket conveyor (8) and the operating station (34; 35; 36) along a rectilinear guide (42; 46).