A customised labelling solution for a Nordic pharmaceutical manufacturer ensures the precise application of booklet labels to square bottles, with full traceability and automatic changeovers.
When working with pharmaceutical products, labelling is about far more than placing a label on a package. It is about traceability, verification and ensuring that every single product can be documented throughout the production process.
A Nordic pharmaceutical manufacturer recently approached HM Systems with a complex task of applying booklet labels to square pill bottles.
Booklet labels are multi-layer labels that can be unfolded to provide instructions for use, side effects and other regulatory information. Because of their thickness and structure, they require extremely precise handling during application.
At the same time, the label had to wrap all the way around a square bottle a considerably more challenging task than applying labels to traditional round containers.
To meet these requirements, HM Systems developed a customised S50 labelling system designed specifically for the customer's production environment.
The system separates each bottle, positions it correctly and applies the booklet label precisely around the container. Immediately afterwards, the system verifies that the label is placed correctly and that all printed information matches the required data.
Traceability is essential in pharmaceutical production. Each bottle is therefore inspected and recorded as it passes through the machine.
Once a batch is completed, the system generates a detailed report covering the entire production run.
Flexibility was another important requirement.
The manufacturer works with multiple bottle sizes, and changeovers needed to be fast and simple. With the S50 system, all axes adjust automatically when switching between formats.
The operator simply selects the next product, and the machine automatically repositions itself across the entire system. Within a few minutes, the line is ready for the next bottle format without manual adjustments.
The machine is also designed with operator ergonomics in mind. A built-in height adjustment allows the working height to be adapted to the operator, improving comfort and accessibility during operation.
Handling square bottles, thick booklet labels and strict pharmaceutical documentation requirements places high demands on both mechanics and automation.
The system must separate the bottles precisely, ensure correct positioning and apply the label perfectly around the container every time.
“Applying booklet labels around square bottles is far more demanding than working with round containers. It requires very precise control of the bottle handling and the label application. This project is a great example of how we combine automation, inspection and traceability in one integrated solution,”
says Rasmus Østerbro, Automation Engineer at HM Systems.
The result is a reliable labelling system that ensures both precise application and full production documentation, two key elements in modern pharmaceutical manufacturing.
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