Robotic Pharmaceutical Bagging With Camera-Guided Bag Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging apparatuses for pharmaceutical containers, such as syringes, fail to ensure accurate and repeatable positioning of protective sheets for hermetic sealing, maintain sterility under ISO5 conditions, and control air inside bags, leading to inefficiencies and waste.
Innovation Solution
A robotic packaging apparatus with a position control camera and centring pins for precise sheet placement, a robotic bagging arm with position control camera for correct bag insertion, and external suction for air evacuation, ensuring accurate and repeatable positioning and sealing while maintaining sterility and reducing air inside bags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual positioning of protective sheets is used, then operation flexibility is maintained, but positioning accuracy and repeatability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated system comprising a robotic arm, position control camera, and centring pins. The camera captures the position of the protective sheet and container, the robotic arm adjusts positioning based on captured coordinates, and centring pins provide mechanical reference points, together achieving precise automated positioning without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-positioning through automatic feedback control where the position control camera continuously monitors the protective sheet position, compares it with target coordinates, and the robotic arm automatically makes corrections without human intervention, allowing the system to self-correct positioning errors
2Productivity
If protective sheets slide during handling, then handling speed is improved, but sterility and welding quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The position control camera provides real-time feedback on the protective sheet position during handling operations. The system continuously monitors sheet position and provides corrective signals to the robotic arm to prevent sliding, ensuring the sheet remains properly positioned throughout the packaging process while maintaining sterility
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the protective sheet using the robotic arm and centring pins before the welding operation begins. This preliminary action ensures the sheet is correctly positioned and secured in advance, preventing any sliding during subsequent handling and welding operations
3Manufacturing precision
If bag opening height is not precisely controlled, then process simplicity is maintained, but welding quality and sterility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual bag positioning with an automated system comprising a robotic arm, position control camera, and spreader device. The camera captures bag position coordinates, the robotic arm adjusts bag opening height based on captured data, and the spreader device mechanically opens the bag to the precise required height, achieving accurate automated control without manual intervention
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 apparatus achieves precise and repeatable positioning of protective sheets and bags, reduces waste, maintains sterility, and controls air inside bags, enhancing the efficiency and integrity of the packaging process.
Implementation Method 1
the robotic arm is connected to at least one position control camera configured to read coordinates of a midpoint of the opening with respect to a lying plane on which the bag lies and/or an angle of rotation of the bag with respect to an axis perpendicular to the lying plane
Implementation Method 2
external suction for air evacuation, ensuring accurate and repeatable positioning and sealing while maintaining sterility and reducing air inside bags
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for packaging containers of devices for pharmaceutical use includes a robotic arm movable from a gripping position, in which it picks up a container previously sealed by at least one protective sheet, to a release position in which it inserts the container into a bag through a suitable opening provided on a side of the bag; wherein the robotic arm is connected to at least one position control camera configured to read coordinates of a midpoint of the opening with respect to a lying plane on which the bag lies and/or an angle of rotation of the bag with respect to an axis perpendicular to the lying plane, so as to ensure the correct positioning and release of the container inside the bag.