A key attraction on the stand will be a live demonstration combining Beckhoff’s XTS intelligent transport system with a Dobot collaborative robot. The XTS combines linear and rotary drive principles, while TwinCAT integrates PLC, motion control and robotics functions on a single Industrial PC.

At London Lab Live, visitors will see the cobot track and interact with independently moving XTS movers in real time, coordinated by one Beckhoff Industrial PC running TwinCAT 3 automation software. The demonstration is designed to show how laboratory and production teams can handle vials, cartridges, microplates and consumables more flexibly, while reducing the need for mechanical changeover.

Because the movers can be controlled individually, the system can adapt to different process steps and container formats within the same machine architecture. The open approach also makes it easier to integrate third-party robotics, existing instruments and wider automation systems, giving users a practical route from laboratory-scale development through to full production.

“Many pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers want to automate handling tasks without creating rigid systems that are difficult to adapt,” said Bradley McEwan, business development manager at Beckhoff UK. “Our demonstration at London Lab Live shows how transport and robotics can be coordinated in real time on a single control platform. That gives users the flexibility to work with different container types, adapt workflows quickly and scale automation more effectively as requirements change.”

McEwan and technical support engineer Sebastian Lindqvist will be available on stand B51 throughout the show to discuss how Beckhoff’s PC-based control technology can support laboratory automation projects. Visitors can register for the event through the London Lab Live website.

A long-standing automation partnership between a Swiss machine builder and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial robots is aiming to help transform the pharmaceutical supply chain in Europe with the launch of what is believed to be the ‘smallest’ automated palletising cell for vials and pre-filled syringes.

Swiss-based Robotronic has partnered with Mitsubishi Electric’s Factory Automation EMEA division for more than two decades. Now, the two organisations are collaborating together on a new low-footprint cell to help the pharmaceutical industry overcome record-high shortages across Europe in recent years for medicines ranging from children’s cough syrups through to antibiotics and even cancer treatments.

The growing demand, which has impacted patient treatment and quality of life, has led the European Medicines Agency to increasingly focus on one of the main causes of shortages – manufacturing and quality issues – with the aim of ultimately strengthening the fragile pharmaceutical supply chain.

Mike Weber, founder of Robotronic, says faster production is required to shorten lead times and cope with the ever-increasing demand. “We are a Swiss company concentrating on machine building with robotic applications for the pharmaceutical industry, including everything from de-nesting and re-nesting, through to de-traying, re-traying, and palletising. We have specific expertise in vial and pre-filled syringe handling, offering solutions that deliver maximum efficiency with a small footprint, and enabling pharmaceutical manufacturers to rise to the challenges in their supply chain.”

One of the key challenges for Robotronics is compliance. “Pharmaceutical consistency is about more than quality,” says Mike. “It is also about regulatory compliance and safety.

“To get the required productivity, we need two robots working very closely together at high-speed, but we also need the assurance that the delicate products being handled will not be damaged in the process.”

The Robotronic choice is Mitsubishi Electric, specifically the FR series, a highly flexible robot with compact arm sizes that is equipped with SoftTouch technology.

The result is a small footprint automation solution with increased productivity for handling pallets as small as 120cm x 80cm. Most importantly, the FR series has built-in compliance control that offers soft touch capability that delivers zero product damage with no glass-to-glass contact, no broken glass and is easy-to-clean.

“The challenge was to have two robots operating side by side in a confined environment without compromising speed or precision,” says Mike. “With Mitsubishi Electric’s help, we have two robots driving at full speed within millimetres of each other with no possibility of collision. This enables our cells to process up to 600 products a minute, without really challenging the robots.”

He concludes: “The relationship between Robotronic and Mitsubishi Electric is a true technological partnership – a combination of deep pharmaceutical process expertise allied to best-in-class robotic technology. Together, we believe we can develop machines that can shorten lead times and create a more robust pharmaceutical supply chain.”

Stefan Knauf, Division Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Factory Automation – German Branch, adds: “The biggest challenge was enabling Robotronic to safely and continuously operate two robots side-by-side in a confined environment, without compromising speed or precision. Our FR series robots with additional servo axis perfectly matched their requirements to deliver high throughput from a small footprint.

“The unique, built-in compliance control also allows the robots to gently handle glass vials without the risk of damage. Ultimately, in pharmaceutical production, consistency isn’t just about quality, it is about regulatory compliance and safety. Our relationship with Robotronic is a true technological partnership. Mike and his team bring deep pharmaceutical process expertise and we bring robotics innovation.”

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This makes it ideal for use in highly controlled environments across sectors such as medical device manufacture, pharmaceutical, biotech, semiconductor, electronics, optics and laser. Its use of food-grade lubricant means it also meets strict food environment requirements, minimising the risk of contamination in the event of accidental contact with food to aid public safety and prevent costly product recalls.

The LR Mate 10-11A Food/Clean robot can withstand harsh and frequent washdown procedures thanks to IP67 ingress protection rating across its entire body, upper arm and wrist. Further benefits include a stainless steel flange, anti-rust bolts and a special corrosion-resistant white epoxy coating. Optimised for high-speed operation, it boasts speeds of up to 340deg/s in the J3 axis (upper arm) and 800deg/s in the J6 axis (wrist rotation).

Designed to save space in busy production environments, the new FANUC model features universal mounting capability (floor, angle, upside down), while the electrical harness is completely integrated within the arm to minimise interference with peripheral devices and allow the construction of smaller automated cells. This design also supports easier cleaning and maintenance, underpinned by FANUC’s renowned lifetime spare parts availability.

Fully integrated solenoid valves to open and close the gripper means no additional installation is necessary, saving time and supporting plug-and-play operation – simply connect the robot to a standard single-phase electricity supply and a compressed air source to start using it instantly via the FANUC Teach Pendant.

“The LR Mate 10-11A Food/Clean with its 10kg payload bridges the gap between our small 7 kg payload version and larger models starting at 25kg payload,” explains Paul Ribus, FANUC’s head of sales coordination for Europe. “It’s a powerful performer with a small footprint, making it perfect for expensive floor space facilities such as cleanrooms. In addition, our new robot is ideal for buildings with a low ceiling height, while a 13kg high-payload mode is optionally available, with a reduction in reach.”

Offering a new era of powerful performance, the LR Mate 10-11A Food/Clean comes with FANUC’s new R-50iA controller as standard, along with intelligent features, advanced cybersecurity and the potential to provide energy savings. In addition, the robot provides vision-ready precision, ideal for high-speed, vision-based pick-and-place tasks, for example.

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Quantum computing, New Space, and smart mobility are some of today’s most exciting innovations. Producing critical components and subsystems, such as multi-qubit processors, satellite transceivers, and EV batteries, calls for extreme precision, cleanliness, and reliability. High-purity cleanrooms are needed and commercialisation of these facilities also demands suitable automation inside, including robots specially designed to meet international cleanroom standards.

ISO 14644 is the international standard covering the design and operation of cleanrooms, and comprises multiple parts that describe all applicable aspects including construction materials, protective clothing, precautions to be taken on entry and exit, and environmental categories defined by air quality. ISO Classes 8 and 7 are the most common cleanroom environments used by industrial companies. Class 7 allows 10,000 particles of size greater than 0.1 micron per cubic metre, while Class 8 permits 100,000 particles per cubic metre.

General pharmaceutical production typically takes place in ISO Class 7 cleanrooms, as well as assembly of medical devices, aerospace equipment such as satellites, and automotive electronics. On the other hand, ISO Class 8 is appropriate for a wide variety of manufacturing facilities and sensitive electronics assembly. As regulations and operational requirements in these sectors become stricter, the required standards are moving towards tougher standards such as Class 5. On the other hand, activities like semiconductor manufacturing, satellite optics, biotech, and some medical nanotechnology processes already demand ISO Class 4 and higher.

Cleanroom construction and management

To satisfy specified air-quality standards, incoming air is filtered to prevent large particles entering from outside. It is also important to consider how equipment and staff can introduce contaminants when inside the cleanroom.

Among the specifications aimed at preventing this kind of contamination, cleanroom construction guidelines mandate the use of non-shedding materials that do not easily release impurities such as dust, microbes, or fibres into the surrounding environment. Stainless steel is often used, for its non-porous surface characteristics as well as corrosion and wear resistance. Non-porous polymers and specialised anti-static and low-particulate plastics are also used effectively.

Recognising that human workers are a major source of unwanted contaminants, released from skin and clothing, rigorous cleaning and adherence to dress codes and changing at entrances and exits is a minimum requirement. Alternatively, automating as many processes as possible to minimise the number of workers needed can relieve burdensome hygiene protocols and improve the environment inside the cleanroom.

Robots are ideal to take over activities such as transporting, unpacking, picking, and placing components, building assemblies, and packaging completed products. However, if not designed carefully, these, too, can emit unwanted contaminants into the cleanroom environment.

Special features of cleanroom robots

The SCARA format is often the first choice of system integrators seeking to solve industrial handling challenges. For general-purpose, non-cleanroom use, belt-driven mechanisms provide acceptable strength and accuracy at a price that can be affordable for smaller manufacturers as well as large corporations.

In a cleanroom, belt drives and other standard components such as bearings and actuators experience wear that can emit quantities of particulates into the surrounding environment that would be unacceptable in a cleanroom. To overcome this, SCARA machines like Yamaha’s YK-XGC robots are specially designed for cleanroom use and contain durable beltless drives that minimise the wear rate in moving mechanisms. The Z-axis spline, which is typically exposed in non-cleanroom variants, is covered with a bellows made of a material with low dust generation. Also, other sliding parts as well as bearings and motors are sealed completely to keep any lubricants and dust inside.

In the same way that non-shedding materials are prescribed for cleanroom walls and other surfaces, the outer casings and panels of cleanroom robots are made from materials such as stainless steel as well as polycarbonates and low-outgassing or anti-static plastics. However, non-shedding materials are not a “fit and forget” solution. Equipment operators must care properly for the surfaces, including cleaning and maintenance to prevent corrosion or damage from compromising the non-shedding properties.

Where non-shedding materials cannot be used, such as in harnesses and cables, these are incorporated completely within the robot. Internal suction, built into the base of the robot, provides additional protection to prevent any particulates that may be generated from escaping. These cleanroom-specific SCARA robots are compliant with ISO 14644-1 for use in cleanrooms operating up to ISO Class 4 and Class 3 standards, enabling them to address some sensitive applications.

Recently, new YK-XEC cleanroom SCARA robots arrived, combining cleanroom features with cost-conscious principles suitable for use in ISO Class 4 environments. These robots are available in sizes from 400mm to 710mm arm length and payload capacity from 4kg to 10kg. They combine a compact design for low overall height with an optimised arm structure that reduces vibration and allows higher excursion speed that significantly reduces the cycle time.

For moving heavy objects weighing up to 120kg and more, across distances from 50mm to more than two metres, cleanroom-compatible single-axis robots are available built with stainless steel for the slide table surface. The slider section uses roller bearings to prevent dust generation by minimising friction. Other internal mechanisms are lubricated with special low-dust grease and an easily accessible suction port facilitates purging foreign objects as well as preventing dust from being emitted. Together, these features ensure compliance with ISO Class 3 cleanliness specifications.

Similarly, XY-XC clean cartesian robots for ISO Class 3 environments feature stainless steel construction and are available with two, three, or four axes. With excursion speed up to 1000mm/s and leveraging the same high-speed ZR-axis actuator of the SCARA robots, these robots ensure a fast cycle time.

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Alongside its robust construction, corrosion resistance, ease of cleaning and compliance with food safety regulations, the FANUC SR-12iA/C offers ultra-fast operation in all four controlled axes to provide a reliable and efficient solution for food companies. Notably, the SR-12iA/C features a market-differentiating bellow to protect the Z-axis spindle during wash-down procedures. Those operating cleanrooms in sectors such as advanced engineering, optics, laser and pharmaceuticals, can also tap into the robot’s many advantages.

Another key feature of the robot is its white epoxy coating for extra durability in extreme environments, while its IP65 rating guarantees protection against contaminants such as water spray and certain quantities of dust and other particles. NSF-H1 food-grade lubricant in all axes and anti-rust bolts further support its use food handling applications.

The FANUC SR-12iA/C features a strong arm, offering 12 kg maximum payload at the wrist (twice that of the company’s existing food-grade SCARA robot) and 900 mm of reach, all available at a highly competitive price-to-performance ratio. Fast cycle times arrive courtesy of high-speed motion in all axes: 440°/s and 510°/s respectively in the rotary J1 and J2 axes; 2800mm/s in the linear J3 axis; and 2500°/s in J4 (wrist rotation).

But none of this comes at the expense of precision. In fact, the floor- or wall-mountable FANUC SR-12iA/C SCARA robot delivers repeatability of ±0.01mm in J1, J2 and J3, with J4 offering ±0.005° for next-level accuracy. Moreover, the wrist offers ±720° of motion as standard, with continuous rotation available as an option.

Fully integrated services are yet another benefit. I/O, 24VDC supply, solenoid valves and air lines all run internally, reducing costs and simplifying integration. Furthermore, an ultra-compact footprint and robot design minimise potential interference with peripheral devices, allowing factories and system integrators to construct smaller automated cells.

A web-based user interface (iRProgrammer) provides users with fast, intuitive, platform-independent set-up, jogging, teaching and programming via a tablet or PC. This cost-effective and simple approach negates the need for an iPendant touch teach pendant or any software downloads.

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Prior to the cobot’s installation, workers at the Takeda Pharmaceutical Company in Oranienburg, Germany were physically moving loads totalling 5.8 tonnes per shift, resulting in numerous days lost to sickness. Since the introduction of the FANUC CR-15iA, productivity has improved considerably, with the cobot working 24/7 while meeting all health and safety requirements.

Japanese bio-pharmaceutical pioneer Takeda Pharmaceutical Company has a presence in over 80 regions. As a key part of its global production network, its drug manufacturing facility in Oranienburg produces more than six billion tablets and capsules each year. This significant number of drugs is required to be order picked at the end of each production line and placed onto pallets ready for shipment – back-breaking work averaging a weight of 5.8 tonnes per shift, from which the company was keen to relieve its workers.

Promoting collaboration

But while Takeda sought to delegate the heavy lifting to a robot counterpart, it also wanted to ensure its human workforce did not feel that their roles would be threatened by an automated alternative. “We involved the workers as early and intensively as possible,” explains Takeda Project Manager Robert Gundlach, who knew from experience in other projects that success depends on acceptance by staff.

For the people based on the assembly line, this meant more informational events across shifts, in which the technology and planned implementation were explained in detail. “It was made clear to people that a robot is nothing more than a stepping stone to make work easier. We sold the robots as new colleagues, not as new technology.”

A big plus for the CR-15iA in this regard, is the fact that it does not need to be ‘hidden’ behind a fence. Without the need for a cage, workers’ reservations were reduced. “Staff can go within touching distance of our collaborative robots,” adds Sebastian Steinbach, who supported the project on site for FANUC. “This made the introduction of new technology more readily acceptable.”

Takeda’s human employees now successfully work side-by-side with their cobot colleague, letting it take the physical strain of their role. Small glass bottles filled with tablets are packaged in multiple cartons, which are moved to the packing table by two workers, five packs at a time, and set in a box.

The cobot scans the label, then grabs the box from the conveyor belt and stacks it onto the shipping pallet with the label facing outwards, in a configuration of eight boxes per layer and four layers high. With a reach of 1,441 mm and a maximum load capacity of 15kg, the cobot fulfils this task effortlessly, working 24/7 – around 8,000 packages have already been processed since its installation, and the system has run without a hitch.

Meeting demanding hygiene standards

Of course, hygiene is also a key factor in any purchasing decision for a pharmaceutical company, and to this end, the FANUC CR-15iA more than meets this demand. Its extra smooth surfaces help to minimise dust and dirt build up, and with IP67-protection on its arm and wrist axis, it is well suited for environments where the highest standards of hygiene are required.

The success of this collaborative cell, installed by Berlin-based system integrator and FANUC partner SKDK, is now serving as a template for all packing stations in the facility and has inspired other Takeda sites to examine the use of robots, too. “There is already a wish-list for further robot projects,” enthuses Robert Gundlach.

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The inherent risk of human error, potential contamination and the demands of regulatory compliance place considerable pressure on packaging operations in life sciences and related industries. Moreover, manual processes often struggle to maintain the precision, speed and consistency required to meet market demands. Traceability concerns and the complexities of quality control present further drawbacks. With the industry demanding high throughput and agility, automated packaging solutions offer an ideal solution.

To address the shortcomings of manual packaging in these sectors, Questt, a South American partner of global robotics supplier TM Robotics, has developed a market-first automated solution. Driven by the need for smarter, faster and more accurate vial packaging, Questt designed its QPack-1 robotic packaging machine as a complete solution.

Enhancing operations with industrial robots

Questt’s QPack-1 machine uses both six and four-axis industrial robots to package vials using continuous movement and automatic feeding. This monobloc turnkey machine system integrates two robots in a single unit, each performing distinct tasks, and the machine has a small footprint, allowing it to be integrated even into smaller spaces.

Operators can program the machine to package a predefined number of vials into a custom thermoformed transparent plastic box. The first robot positions the box in the workspace, while the second transfers vials from the production line using a vacuum attachment to fill it. As pharmaceutical products are also required to come with an enclosed brochure, the first robot can insert this brochure before the box is closed and it moves to the next stage of the production line.

TM Robotics supplies the two robots used in the machine. Both are from Japanese robot manufacturer, Shibaura Machine, formerly known as Toshiba Machine. The first, a TVL700 six-axis robot, is lightweight and vertically articulated, designed to optimise productivity in handling and assembly applications. With a reach of 700mm and a 4 kg payload, it offers exceptional versatility.

In the Questt monobloc packaging machine, its speed and accuracy enable efficient box loading and unloading in the workspace. The second robot, a THL400 SCARA robot, has an arm length of 400mm and a payload capacity of up to 5 kg, allowing it to handle varying vial quantities as needed. With cycle times of 47 seconds, it completes tasks swiftly and precisely, meeting the demands of a busy production line.

Boosting productivity with smarter processes

The Questt QPack-1 packaging machine addresses one of the most pressing drawbacks of the manual packaging processes – inconsistent and inefficient throughput. In one production line, the machine was found to be able to package up to 7,200 vials in an hour. When the same process was carried out manually, workers packaged around 2,000 vials in an average working day, highlighting the significant productivity improvement when automating this process.

The QPack-1 also uses cutting-edge pneumatics from Festo and a highly intuitive Siemens programmable logic controller (PLC) to oversee packaging operations. It offers a user-friendly interface and touchscreen capability, enabling easy process adjustments and real-time performance monitoring. The PLC’s simplicity streamlines programming, requiring minimal experience to operate the system. Coupled with the machine’s relatively straightforward installation and setup, integration into an existing production line is remarkably straightforward, despite the advanced robotics involved.

The Siemens system further enhances process traceability and reliability by using advanced technology to detect errors and respond promptly. Equipped with sensors and cameras, it identifies missing or misplaced products, or faults in the industrial robots. Upon recognising a fault, the system issues a warning and halts production until the operator addresses the issue, immediately allowing potential problems to be recorded for traceability and resolved with minimal downtime or further impact on production.

Production processes in life sciences, pharmaceuticals and veterinary manufacturing are also subject to stringent regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, efficacy and quality of all products. Given the nature of these industries, complete transparency and validation are imperative. The QPack-1 is CE-certified, and additional validation can be conducted to meet required medical industry standards, including Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ), ensuring that the machine operates as intended.

The next generation of packaging systems

To further improve on this offering, Questt is currently developing an advanced solution that builds upon the current capabilities of the QPack-1 packaging machine. At present, the machine loads vials into separately manufactured pre-formed blister packages. Questt’s new machine will integrate packaging production into the same unit for a fully cohesive solution.

Through the incorporation of a thermoforming unit, the next iteration of the machine will produce the box, fill it with vials and heat-seal the package, enabling the entire process to be completed in-house. Using a single solution will save time, reduce costs and enhance overall productivity. Additionally, sealing the packages will allow any damage or tampering to be easily detected before distribution.

The limitations of manual packaging in the life sciences industries are evident, but the Questt QPack-1 robotic packaging machine effectively addresses the inefficiencies and inconsistencies associated with manual packaging.

By incorporating industrial robots, advanced technology, and an intuitive PLC, this automated system significantly improves precision, speed and traceability. The solution offers an ideal alternative to manual packaging that not only enhances productivity but also aligns seamlessly with the industry’s commitment to quality, safety and compliance.

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The SciYbotic Labs series was developed by the Optimal Group, which is part of SciY – a vendor agnostic software brand that offers a wide range of scientific software solutions throughout the entire life sciences value chain. The new range combines a range of robotics, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) together with the synTQ software platform to create a self-contained workflow and analysis tool. The setup is regulatory compliant and capable of handling virtually all aspects of wet and dry laboratory testing without any human intervention.

Automating analytical testing frees scientists from the routine, manual tasks involved in quality control, such as transporting tablets across a production facility, preparing samples, and loading analysis instruments. This allows scientists to instead spend their time on projects that make use of their training and expertise, which reduces costs and unlocks value for the company. Additionally, the system automatically captures all data, ensuring complete data integrity.

SciYbotic Labs is fully customisable, with workflows able to incorporate the robot(s) required for your specific analytical methods and space requirements. AMRs can be used to transport samples around laboratories or between manufacturing and laboratory facilities. An initial Smart Laboratory deployment may only include static, bench mounted robot(s) that can handle sample preparation and analysis tasks, and loading the samples into local instruments. If mobility is required for sample collection or transport, for example to flexibly load ‘remote’ instruments such as HPLCs/UPLCs, then an AMR may be invaluable.

All aspects of workflow management and execution, plus analysis and storage, are managed by synTQ, a leading PAT (Process Analytical Technology) knowledge management software platform capable of hosting chemometric and other predictive models. The software also generates intuitive dashboards and allows users to easily coordinate all testing and robotic activities.

Because synTQ stores all of the validated analytical workflows and methods, SciYbotic Labs can help drive collaboration and standardisation across all of a company’s facilities, no matter where they are based in the world. This can help a company adopt the same analytical method in different laboratories with different layouts without the need for repeated analytical method revalidation

Martin Gadsby, Chairman at Optimal Group, comments: “By combining Optimal Industrial Automation’s expertise in complete automation solutions and Optimal Industrial Technologies’ PAT knowledge and synTQ software platform, the Optimal Group is perfectly placed to help enable accurate, reliable and more consistent laboratory testing. We believe the ease with which validated analytical methods can be reused by facilities around the globe with minimal revalidation to be a unique feature of our offering.

“This new solution will allow pharmaceutical companies worldwide to operate more consistently and efficiently, and we look forward to supporting customers implement their own automated setups.”

The SciYbotic Labs solution is part of the SciY product platform, a vendor-agnostic software brand committed to developing advanced scientific software and automation technologies. SciYbotic Labs enables pharmaceutical companies to set up fully automated, regulatory compliant, off-line laboratory testing systems for their products.

These systems can be deployed for both R&D and quality control purposes. They are fully customizable, allowing the analytical requirements of individual facilities and applications to be addressed, boosting accuracy, testing repeatability, precision and traceability.

Moreover, SciYbotic Labs liberates scientists from routine, repetitive manual procedures, offering uninterrupted operations, increasing throughput, and reducing errors and costs associated with quality control activities.

Featuring autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), multi-axis robots and the synTQ PAT (Process Analytical Technology) knowledge management software by SciY, SciYbotic Labs can perform every analytical stage for solid and wet chemical testing. This includes sample transportation, preparation, positioning within analytical instruments and onto trays, data storage, interpretation and visualization.

As an example, individual samples can be picked by a six-axis robotic arm on top of an AMR and transferred from manufacturing lines or any other area to the Smart Laboratory. There, the laboratory robots conduct any sample preparation following the analytical workflow and can then load and unload the necessary analytical instruments. Once these actions are complete and all tests have been performed, the robot can transfer the samples to trays that are uniquely marked for easy traceability, which the AMR can then transport wherever they are needed. This example is just one of a virtually unlimited number of potential workflows.

The synTQ platform hosts chemometric and other predictive models while offering intuitive dashboards to help subject matter experts gain insights on the results obtained. In addition, the software defines the characteristics of each sample and coordinates all testing and robotic activities.

Finally, synTQ stores all validated analytical methods and workflows in a GMP-compliant way. This has two key features. Firstly, workflows can be configured and approved for use by authorized personnel without the need to call in an engineering team. Secondly, the validated analytical methods/workflows can be transferred in a GMP-compliant, traceable way to any other laboratory in your organisation.

While changes would be required to the robot movements as a workflow is transferred between sites, to reflect the different configurations and equipment of the other labs, the configuration and validation of these movements is a straightforward engineering task compared to revalidating the analytical methods.

SciYbotic Labs is therefore fully customizable to address the specific needs of each individual pharmaceutical application and can also help drive inter-facility collaboration and standardization. As a result, the same GMP-compliant process can be adopted by different facilities across the globe without the need to seek costly re-validation of the analytical methods.

Martin Gadsby, chairman at Optimal Group, comments: “Accurate laboratory testing is pivotal for innovative research, knowledge generation, batch integrity and patient safety. However, it often diverts scientists from engaging in truly transformative and value-adding activities.

“To address these issues and meet current market demands, we are proud to launch the SciYbotic Labs series of automated laboratory solutions. These systems are able to optimize and improve analytical operations, benefiting pharmaceutical companies and patients worldwide. We look forward to supporting customers in the implementation of these highly effective automated setups that will help boost productivity and performance.”

At the pharmaceutical company, the challenge in integrating the automated guided vehicle system (AGV) was to ensure an optimally timed material flow on sometimes narrow route areas and simultaneously integrate prioritized transports of refrigerated goods into the new automation process.

The solution is provided by ek robotics with its X MOVE series: in future, twelve high-performance mobile transport robots will take over the safe and efficient transportation of pallets with high-quality pharmaceuticals between the production areas in two-shift operation. Each X MOVE 1200 is equipped with a roller conveyor, handles around 90 transports per hour and is responsible for picking up and dropping off loads at 22 conveyor technology stations between the production and storage areas.

The new partner, for whom ek robotics is implementing the transport solution, is already familiar with an automated guided vehicle system from a market competitor, which previously handled the intralogistics processes involved in pharmaceutical production. The new system will now be implemented step by step over several weekends by ek robotics so that ongoing production and operations are not interrupted.

“With the new AGV, our customer is able to prioritise important refrigerated transports that were previously carried out manually. The new system is also much more flexible with a higher number of vehicles than before and communicates directly with the SAP system,” explains Ronald Kretschmer, CSO at ek robotics.

Initially, 13 transport robots were planned for this application, but with a material flow simulation, the AGV experts were able to reduce the ideal number of vehicles for the overall system from 13 to twelve X MOVE units during the project planning phase.

In Switzerland, the new partner is a major pharmaceutical manufacturer and can look back on a century-long history in the pharmaceutical industry. The driverless transport system from ek robotics’ automated guided vehicle system now enables the customer to link different production or logistics areas even more efficiently and is a key factor for sustainable profitability and site security.

Visit the ek robotics website for more information on its expertise in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.