Bosch Presents Enhanced Inspection Portfolio
Making efficient use of existing synergies
to 36,000 items per hour
At Achema 2012 in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, Bosch Packaging Technology underlines the substantial expansion of its inspection technology portfolio at its booth (C70, C72) in hall 3.1. Following the acquisition of Eisai Machinery, the machinery business companies of Eisai Co., Ltd. in April 2012, Bosch has systematically merged its inspection competencies with those of Eisai Machinery. At Achema, Bosch presents a selection of different manual, semi- and fully automated inspection machines from Eisai Machinery, complemented by new developments from Bosch. The pinhole detection machine KLD 1043, for instance, can be combined with the visual inspection machines from Eisai Machinery to form an entire inspection line.
Particle and cosmetic inspection
The SD (static division) technology, developed by Eisai Machinery, is based on the detection of moving particles in pharmaceutical liquids. A light is projected through the liquid onto an optical sensor (SD sensor). This enables the differentiation between particles contained in the liquid and immobile objects such as printing on the container. The SD technology is also suited for the inspection of filling levels. Ultramodern high-speed cameras, for their part, enable a reliable detection of cosmetic container defects. While the containers are rotated by more than 360 degrees, the camera takes several high-resolution images. It identifies cracks in the syringe flange, crimp defects or defects in the sealing integrity of ampoules.
From manual to fully automated
The main focus of Eisai Machinery's portfolio is on fully automated inspection machines. All machines of the AIM, CIM and EIS series are fully validatable. Among the products exhibited at Achema are the high-end units EIS A206S for particle and cosmetic inspection of pre-filled syringes, and the AIM C203A for the respective inspection of ampoules, vials and cartridges. Particle inspection is performed with the SD technology. The machines record the specific parameters for each product. This data can be retrieved without performing actual product runs or needing to adjust the inspection system. All fully automated units can be connected to filling and closing lines, other inspection machines, labellers and cartoners, both up- and downstream.
The semi-automated inspection machines from the VIS series are used for particle and cosmetic inspection. Depending on the machine type, different containers can be examined for a wide range of manufacturing flaws such as cracks, foreign particles or other defects. The VIS units are available as stand-alone and integrated version. Like the fully automated series, the inline versions can be integrated into entire filling lines. The automatic feeding, sorting and discharging functions simplify the inspector's manual work, enabling him to focus entirely on the quality control of the containers.
Manual inspection devices are used for smaller batch sizes, customized applications, laboratory analyses, stability surveys and evaluations of test sets. At Achema, Bosch presents the ETAC Easy View, a technical innovation for containers with diameters from 8 to 50 millimetres. The inspection device examines vials, ampoules, syringes and cartridges for particulate contamination and cosmetic container defects. The results are transmitted directly from the camera to the All-in-One computer and enable a particularly fast evaluation. Due to its compact design and its small weight, the table-top device is flexibly applicable.
New KLD 1043: extension of the line concept
Eisai Machinery and Bosch Packaging Technology look back on a long-term cooperation and many joint projects. Visual inspection from Eisai Machinery and physical container inspection from Bosch can be integrated into one line to obtain most complete inspection results. "With the incorporation of Eisai Machinery's portfolio we can consistently expand our existing synergies, strengthen our line competence and offer our customers maximum safety", said Joachim Baczewski, Head of Product Group Inspection Technology at Bosch Packaging Technology. The KLDtype pinhole detection machines, for example, can be connected downstream to inspection machines from Eisai Machinery. According to the high-voltage testing method, hairline fissures, leaking closures, empty containers and insufficient glass thickness of ampoules, injection bottles and cartridges are identified. At Achema, Bosch presents the consistent further development of the KLD series.
The new KLD 1043 is based on the well-proven high-voltage measuring system and offers an especially gentle and user-friendly inspection. The speed of the pinhole detection machine has been significantly improved: It achieves an output of up to 36,000 items per hour. The machine design of the KLD 1043 was also optimized and is now even more compact, flexible and accessible. Faster format changeovers and shorter cleaning times are further benefits of its improved user-friendliness. The positioning of the bar electrodes result in gentle transport and expose the fragile glass containers to less stress.
The Bosch division Packaging Technology, based in Waiblingen (Germany), is one of the leading suppliers in the field of processing and packaging technology. In more than 15 countries worldwide it develops and produces complete solutions for the pharmaceutical, food and confectionery industries. The comprehensive service portfolio completes the package. The worldwide sales and service network offers local contacts. More information at www.boschpackaging.com
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, more than 300,000 associates generated sales of 51.5 billion euros in fiscal 2011. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 350 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Bosch spent some 4.2 billion euros for research and development in 2011, and applied for over 4,100 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.
The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering." The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust.
The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH. Further information is available online at www.bosch.com and www.bosch-press.com.
Contact: Contact person for press inquiries:
Joachim Baczewski, Johanna Marquette,
phone: +81 3 5466-2550, phone: +41 58 674-7416
E-mail johanna.marquette@bosch.com
Robert Bosch GmbH
Postfach 10 60 50
D-70049 Stuttgart
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