Bosch Packaging Technology has launched an improved version of MRA rotary pen assembly machine at Achema.
Developed by the Bosch subsidiary Moeller & Devicon, MRA offers complete line integration solutions, including downstream labelling and end of line packaging.
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Moeller & Devicon sales director Michael Andersen said: "We introduced the MRA to the market at last year’s Interpack in Germany. Since then, we have refined the technology by cooperating with several manufacturers of pens and auto-injectors, and have adapted the assembly processes for different models.
"This way, we can offer customers the appropriate machine with the required features according to the pens or auto-injectors in use."
The machine is capable of assembling medical devices such as standard four-piece disposable pens or single-shot auto-injectors, which are used for diabetes care, the treatment of autoimmune diseases, hormone replacement therapies or emergency medicine.
MRA’s in-feed systems load the pen caps, cartridge holders, cartridges and dosing mechanisms into the machine from four different in-feed stations, and fit them together to ready-to-use pens.
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By GlobalDataWith a capacity to handle four pens simultaneously, the machine has an output of up to 70 pens a minute.
The MRA machine also detects and rejects incorrectly assembled products.
When combined with additional upstream and downstream equipment, MRA allows filling of liquid pharmaceuticals into cartridges and inspectes for particles and cosmetic container defects on other Bosch equipment.
The flexible and modular design of the MRA platform is claimed to allow an upgrade with further process steps, such as laser engraving of the pens or serialisation.
The automatic transportation and control stations between the different assembly steps reduce operator intervention and manual handling.
Image: The assembly machine MRA assembles pen caps, cartridge holders, cartridges and dosing mechanisms. Photo: courtesy of Robert Bosch.
