In response to the growing demand for vaccine production, a global pharmaceutical active ingredients company entrusted Goldfuß Engineering GmbH to develop a robotic cell that automates the loading and unloading of vials in storage carts. This advancement has significantly optimized efficiency and precision in their operations.
Development of the Robotic Solution Goldfuß Engineering GmbH, in collaboration with SIMON IBV GmbH, designed a robotic cell equipped with a high-resolution 3D artificial vision system. This system allows the robot to autonomously and precisely identify and manipulate vials, even when the position of the carts varies. The HALCON artificial vision software from MVTec is integrated to efficiently process images, ensuring smooth automation.
Impact on Production The implementation of this robotic cell has enabled the handling of nearly 10,000 vials per cart, facilitating flexible control of packaging capacity and maintaining the cold chain by storing the carts in refrigerated chambers. This automation has reduced manual intervention, minimizing errors and increasing productivity.
Challenges and Lessons Learned One of the main challenges was ensuring the robot’s precision despite variations in the position and weight of the carts. The solution involved using advanced 3D vision technology and robust image processing to constantly recalculate the exact position of each row of vials. This experience underscores the importance of integrating high-quality artificial vision systems into automated processes to handle real-time variations.
The collaboration between Goldfuß Engineering GmbH and SIMON IBV GmbH has resulted in an innovative solution that transforms vaccine production, setting a new standard in pharmaceutical process automation.
For more information on how URT can help your company implement robotic solutions, visit URT here and discover how we can transform your manufacturing process.