Processing it all, day 2 — some of the key innovations from the show floor at ACHEMA 2018
After a successful first day with nearly 4,000 exhibitors taking their spots at the massive process industry show, we now look to day two and some of the exciting developments visitors can expect to see coming from the exhibition…
Innovative module for pharma labelling
At the 2018 ACHEMA show, European specialist in self-adhesive technology — HERMA — will present a new solution combing both traceability and efficiency in the labelling of pharmaceuticals.
The new label removal unit will reduce the time required for discharging misprinted labels as the complete process of applying them to a collecting roll is rendered unnecessary. Labels with insufficient quality now remain on the backing paper.
This is achieved with two rounded, semi-cylindrical sliders, which quickly extend over the dispensing break. Their radius is such that the label does not detach from the backing paper but simple remains there. Thus, the run of the product to be labelled is neither stopped nor slowed down.
After finishing the batch, users can easily unwind the backing paper to analyze and document every misprinted label. Potential error sources can thus be identified earlier and be efficiently eliminated for future batches. Counting and analyzing the labels becomes easy.
“Thanks to our special construction, users are now able to label pharmaceuticals more efficiently and create documentation with better traceability,” explains Ulrich Fischer, head of Product Management at HERMA. “Especially in the case of batch changes, setting up a new format often leads to misprints. Until now, labels featuring unreadable print or wrong codes were not applied to the product but discarded onto a motorised label collecting roll. Counting and analysing these rejected labels proved very difficult.”
Hall: 3.1
Booth: F57
Website: www.herma-labeler.com
New coating benefit
I Holland has announced that they will be launching an innovative new process during this year’s show in Frankfurt.
Using the event as a platform to introduce several new products and services, the tablet tooling specialist will exhibit its Wear Indicator layer for the very first time in Frankfurt.
“The research and development team at I Holland is constantly working on new solutions to help our customers with their tablet production,” says Rob Blanchard R&D manager.
“One question we are asked time and time again is ‘how do we know our tool coating is nearing the end of its effective life span?’ We have developed an answer with the introduction of the Wear Indicator Layer. It is a distinctive gold coloured layer which is revealed as the functional coating approaches the end of its working life cycle. This advancement will have a huge impact on production for our customers as they can monitor tooling effectively to see when replacement is required by simple visual inspection.
“Wear around the tip face can cause problems like sticking and picking, however, the Wear Indicator Layer provides an indication and solution to prevent any long-term damage to the press and delays in production due to increased cleaning or replacement of tooling. This innovative new coating process will be extremely beneficial to our customer’s and their manufacturing processes.”
Additionally, the company will demonstrate this new product alongside other coatings and treatments in the PharmaCote range — tailored to provide wear and corrosion resistance or improve anti-stick properties.
Furthermore, I Holland will feature a live design studio on its stand where the team will demonstrate how they design and develop tablets and tablet tooling, incorporating important features to prevent production problems, like sticking.
Hall: 3.0
Booth: H100
Website: www.iholland.co.uk
Flexible engineering and inspections solutions
Integrated manufacturing solutions company for the pharmaceutical industry, ACG, will be showcasing its range of flexible engineering and inspections solutions at ACHEMA.
During the show, the company will launch the GT X.ONE granulation train, Protab 700 high speed tablet press and VeriShield CS16 tamper evident, track & trace solution.
“We are proud to bring these 3 important new products to the to the global market,” emphasizes Richard Stedman, Group CEO, ACG Engineering. “Our focus has always been to deliver consistent product quality that meet international standards with excellent customer service. With our local support network in Europe, we are well equipped to cater to customers’ requirements across the European region.”
Ettore Cucchetti, CEO-ACG Inspection adds: “ACG is the only market-ready Track & Trace solutions provider in the world with L1 to L5 solutions capabilities. In April, 2017, ACG’s Inspection business acquired Croatia based IN2Trace… The acquisition coupled with the opening of new office in Zagreb, has enabled ACG Inspection to expand its European footprint in the pharmaceutical Track & Trace business and to support the European marketing better.”
Other products the company will be showcasing include the Quest FB II (a 12 bar pressure shock resistant lab scale fluid bed processor), a wide range of tablet tooling solutions and the AF 90 T (an automatic capsule filling machine series).
Hall: 3.0
Booth: D73
Website: www.acg-world.com
Optimising powder handling processes
During the ACHEMA exhibition and congress, powder characterization specialists, Freeman Technology, will present on several topics.
Among the topics will be predicting screw feeder performance (12 June at 15:00), the influence of fines content on the flow behaviour of FCC catalysts (13 June at 16:20), and optimising and reusing metal powders in additive manufacturing (15 June at 11:30).
In addition to the presentations, visitors to the company’s stand will be able to see material characterisation solutions designed to optimise process performance, increase productivity and improve quality in a diverse range of sectors. One of the company’s solutions, the flagship FT4 Powder Rheometer, is a unique and comprehensive powder tester, which uses patented dynamic methodology, automated shear cells (in accordance with ASTM D7891) and a series of bulk property tests to quantify powder behaviour in terms of flow and processability. This is complemented by the Uniaxial Powder Tester, which provides accurate and robust measurement of the uniaxial unconfined yield strength (uUYS) of a powder to assess and rank flowability.
The UPT will be new to visitors of ACHEMA, where they will also be able to see the offline Consolidation Station which delivers additional testing capabilities, enabling samples to be stored for extended periods under precisely controlled conditions.
Furthermore, through its exclusive partnership with Lenterra, the company now offers in-line, real-time flow measurement capabilities — the Drag Force Flow sensor — which is an optical technology that can aid process understanding and manufacturing efficiency.
Hall: 4.1
Booth: E66
Website: www.powderflow.com
Founding of a joint company
HAVER & BOECKER and WINDMÖLLER & HÖLSCHER are planning to start a new joint company in the segment of filling and palletizing, which will specialize in the development and production as well as the sales and service of FFS packing plants for freeflowing.
“For decades there has been a relationship of deep respect and mutual recognition between both of our family-owned companies. Our new joint company will allow us to propel the technology of filling and palletising. This partnership opens up new innovations and possibilities for our employees, our customers and our markets,” says Florian Festge, managing partner and owner at HAVER & BOECKER.
“WINDMÖLLER & HÖLSCHER and HAVER & BOECKER share many similarities,” confirms Dr Jürgen Vutz, partner and CEO at W&H. “Both are family-owned companies with a long-term focus and intact values such as trust and commitment. This all provides the solid foundation for a successful partnership. With this joint company, we will secure our leading position on the international markets.”
Further information on this new joint venture will be announced in a press conference at ACHEMA today (12 June) at 10–11 am on the HAVER & BOECKER booth.
Hall: 3.0
Booth: F38
Website: www.haverboecker.com
Gas and air treatment for the process industry
Specialist in complex air treatment, Munters, will use ACHEMA 2018 as a platform to present technical systems for humidifying, dehumidifying and separating aerosols from air for highly sensitive applications.
“After a successful showing in 2015 we knew we wanted to be back at this important fair, since plant engineering makes up 85% of our order volume,” explains Markus Karbach, CEO of Munters GmbH and Munters Euroform GmbH.
To present its capabilities to attendees in more detail, Munters is holding a Technology Brunch on the second day of the fair from 9.30 am to 1 pm. At the brunch, company specialists will explain products and present application examples, including an all-in solution for separating liquids from gas streams.
Hall: 5.1
Booth: C61
Website: www.munters.de