Travtec Demonstrates FMD-Ready Coding Solutions at interpack

A variety of equipment will be showcased by Travtec at this year’s interpack, including its FMD-ready solutions to help pharmaceutical manufacturers prepare for the requirements of the forthcoming EC Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD).

Highlights include the Wolke m600 Advanced thermal inkjet printer and the Lixis PVS vision system printing and checking serialised 2D codes, while models from the company’s portfolio will also be demonstrated.

The Lixis PVS is a high-end OCR/OCV imaging system that offers reliability, accuracy and speed for a wide variety of inspection requirements throughout the packaging process.  Its character recognition software reads both pre-printed and in-line printing and it automatically detects shift or rotation variations. Colour verification can also be specified. All types of barcodes can be monitored including standard formats (EAN, Code 128), pharmaceutical industry variants such as Pharmacode and Datamatrix and 1D and 2D codes. In addition, the system can be programmed to check the accuracy of logos and artwork and for the presence and position of labels, caps and other items.

An easy-to-use colour touchscreen interface, including on-screen help and interactive tutorial, ensures fast set up and simple day-to-day operation. An unlimited number of pre-set patterns and character details can be stored in the memory for fast changeovers, and detailed production reports and defective images can be outputted for process analysis.

The m600 Advanced uses HP technology and water-based inks to deliver clean and maintenance-free real-time coding onto a wide range of substrates, producing characters and bar codes up to 600 dpi. The printer can also be specified with an ink for non-porous surfaces such as blister foil packs, while Travtec’s special Traversing Unit enables the printer to be integrated into existing blister lines with multiple head configurations.

The m600’s ability to print variable Datamatrix codes to ECC 200 makes it ideal for track and traceability requirements, particularly products that are exported worldwide. Data for the bar codes is transferred to the printer via a built-in Ethernet port and the m600 Advanced also features a USB port as standard.

To further ensure clear and accurate coding for FMD requirements, the Travtec Pharmacarton Elite and TR-760-TT offer effective online and offline handling respectively for full and accurate control of cartons and packs during printing.  Both machines are fully adjustable to suit a range of carton sizes. The Pharmacarton Elite features a new compact design with an enclosed operating unit. The TR-760-TT can handle cartons, boards, sheets, blister and credit cards and can also be used in conjunction with labellers and print and apply labellers for maximum flexibility.

Hall 7A/Stand C31-5 (Lixis stand) and Hall 8A/Stand E17 (King stand), interpack 2014, 8–14 May, Messe Düsseldorf, Germany.

Travtec Ltd, +44 1942 677664, info@travtec.co.uk, www.travtec.co.uk.