Domino Printing Sciences has developed K600G, a new blister foil and web digital printing system for product-level serialisation in pharmaceutical applications.
K600G is capable of printing at speeds of up to 75m/min, with print widths ranging from a single print module, covering 108mm, up to seven dual print modules with a combined width of 782mm. The smart i-Tech StitchLink micro-motor provides accurate printhead alignment and image stitching to achieve seamless printing across a full web print width. The printing module of K600G has a native resolution of 600dpi and ‘excellent’ greyscale capability. Based on Domino’s piezo drop-on-demand inkjet technology, the printer is also capable of building up imagery using multiple different drop sizes, improving image quality and giving manufacturers more control over their ink consumption.
In order to achieve high efficiency levels, the system can also be supplied with AI software, which collects, analyses and learns from factory data to provide intelligent manufacturing capability.
K600G also comes with Domino’s i-Tech intelligent technology features, including i-Tech CleanCap, which sees the printheads cleaned when not in operation, leaving them wiped and capped, ready for the next use; and i-Tech ActiFlow, which ensures the ink is always moving around the printhead. This degasses the ink, preventing the formation of air bubbles that can impact nozzle performance and increase the risk of product rejects.
Bart Vansteenkiste, global sector manager, life sciences at Domino, said, ‘In pharmaceutical manufacturing, code quality and legibility are of key importance, and, owing to the cost of unplanned downtime, it is also imperative that machines are kept functioning at optimal performance. K600G was developed with this level of reliability and durability in mind with automated maintenance systems to reduce operator intervention and to keep the system running at optimal performance.’
Using digital printing technology to customise product packaging within manufacturing chains ‘adds a degree of agility’, according to Domino, that allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to react more easily to legislative changes or variations in product labelling requirements, as it reduces reliance on external packaging providers. K600G includes a range of options that have been developed for different installation types, including off-line, near-line, top-of-line, sealed-blister-coding for printing directly on formed blister packs, and an integrated-line version developed to meet the needs of OEMs.
Developed in collaboration with pharmaceutical industry innovator Gallarus, and with engagement from life science industry experts SeaVision, K600G is a high-resolution, digital printing technology that is claimed to ‘meet the needs of pharmaceutical manufacturers now and in the future’.
Craig Stobie, director of global sector development at Domino, commented, ‘Over the last couple of years serialisation at pack level has become a global requirement in the pharmaceutical industry. In the future, it is likely that serialisation of individual pockets of a blister pack will become the new standard, in order to further enhance patient safety and reduce medical errors.
‘K600G has been developed to provide manufacturers with an on-site solution for variable data printing, which includes coding at the item level, to meet these future requirements.’
Volker Watzke, EU medical devices sector manager at Domino, said, ‘Digital printing and flexible supply chains are beginning to play a much greater role in pharmaceutical manufacturing – and so the K600G is a necessary investment to keep up with future legislation and market trends.
‘As Domino customers, pharmaceutical manufacturers utilising the K600G solution also have the benefit of our global experts, who are always ready to support them when they need us. We want to ensure that our customers are always in control of their lines.’
Gallarus CEO John McKeon said, ‘With the K600G, we have combined the key principles of Industry 4.0 to provide a solution that addresses the evolving life science environment and production challenges facing pharmaceutical manufacturers. The new solution delivers exponential benefits in the form of ROI, cost-saving, quality enhancement, and OEE efficiencies.’
Mr Watzke concluded, ‘When we set out to develop the K600G, we wanted to develop a future-proof solution that would meet the current needs of pharmaceutical manufacturers, and allow them to adapt more easily to changing market trends and legislative requirements. The result is a strong and reliable solution that helps to ensure compliance and patient safety while allowing manufacturers to remain agile.
‘When it comes to pharmaceutical manufacturing, the K600G is the solution of choice, now, and in the future.’
