Bosch showcases new development for continuous manufacturing

First TPR 500 tablet press “made in Germany”. Equipped with a 56-station rotor, the TPR 500 has an output rate of over 400,000 tablets per hour.

The Xelum platform combines dosing, mixing, granulating and pressing, paving the way for more efficient tablet manufacturing.

As an example of its broad portfolio from small-batch development to production scale-up, Bosch showcases the Solidlab 2 fluid-bed and drum-coater module. “We don’t just provide customers with individual machines for the R&D of their pharmaceuticals. Our formulation and processing experts also support them with extensive pharmaceutical know-how and a wide range of training seminars to help them implement their ideas for new products,” Treitel explains. In addition, the latest automation solutions greatly facilitate formulation, quality control and data handling. The new phase-testing device, for instance, makes it possible to automatically determine the stability of liquid, creamy or pasty formulations.

Selected customers also have the chance to take a first look at Bosch’s latest advances in Continuous Manufacturing. With the new Xelum platform, Bosch presents an innovative solution for the continuous production of solid pharmaceuticals. Dosing, mixing, granulating and pressing: for the first time, one system combines all of these steps – fully automatically and without any interruptions, paving the way for more efficient tablet manufacturing.

The first TPR 500 tablet press “made in Germany” also celebrates its premiere at Interpack. “By transferring production from England to Waiblingen, we have further expanded our Waiblingen facilities’ portfolio,” says Treitel. “As a result, we can directly apply the latest technological innovations from our proven capsule fillers to the tablet presses, and optimally capitalize on synergy effects.” Equipped with a 56-station rotor, the TPR 500 has an output rate of over 400,000 tablets per hour.

From the capsule filling portfolio, Bosch presents the GKF 2600 with integrated weighing station. The system can process various products like powders, pellets or liquids at output rates of up to 2,600 capsules per minute. The integrated Net Weight Detection System (NWDS) automatically corrects deviations in the filling volume for micro dosing and pellet filling. In addition, the filling process is 100% controlled, ensuring precise filling results without product loss.

When it comes to secondary packaging, Bosch’s portfolio includes a broad range of cartoning machines. One example that is on show at Interpack is the horizontal cartoning machine CUT 1405, which offers impressive flexibility in the choice of feeding systems, formats and closure variants. A CPS module with checkweigher and Tamper Evident labelling function serializes the folded cartons. When combined with industry 4.0 technologies such as Bosch’s CPI software, customers receive a complete serialization solution that not only supports all current guidelines, but also provides multi-level connection with the company IT.

A comprehensive range of services to improve machine efficiency and productivity completes Bosch’s line competence. The focus is on solutions for preventive maintenance as well as services to eliminate unwanted machine conditions as quickly as possible. To this end, Bosch provides a worldwide service network with qualified field service technicians who offer regional support. Thanks to digital services such as Remote Service, which is now supported by a visualization and chat feature, or the mobile version of the E-Portal, which is presented at Interpack 2017, customers receive targeted support regardless of their location.

Bosch further showcases the versatile training portfolio of the Bosch Packaging Academy. Apart from new assistance solutions, Bosch demonstrates virtual training concepts enabling manufacturers to acquire demand-oriented know-how for machine operation and maintenance. Bosch also illustrates how Preventive Maintenance Parts Kits and tailor-made maintenance agreements help to proactively minimize unplanned downtime.