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Pharma Packaging News

WLS

Introducing the VR-72 Labeler for COVID-19 Vaccine Packaging

The pharmaceutical industry is racing to prepare for an imminent COVID-19 vaccine. It isn’t enough to have packaging lines complete in a few years – they need to be ready as soon as possible, so as a vaccine is approved, it’s all systems go.

The VR-72 labeler from WLS, part of ProMach Pharma Solutions, is a perfect solution for COVID-19 vaccine applications, and many pharmaceutical manufacturers have already ordered these systems in preparation. Fully servo-driven with a modular design, this continuous-motion, pressure-sensitive solution applies wrap-around labels to vials and other cylindrical products at high speeds.

“COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers often need labelers that run reliably at 600 vials per minute – that requirement alone eliminates many systems on the market and the VR-72 is one of the highest capacity vial labelers available anywhere,” said Philippe Maraval, V.P. of Business Development at WLS.

In addition to vaccines, the VR-72 is ideal for a variety of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products including solid doses, vitamins and injectables as well as medical devices. It applies paper or film pressure-sensitive labels to vials, bottles, syringes, auto-injector devices and other cylindrical packages. Accommodating different types of code printing methods and inspection systems, the VR-72 is capable of printing lot numbers, expiration dates and 2D codes, with or without serialization data. A wide variety of other options are available, including redundant label heads, different reject devices and more.

Overall, the VR-72 provides high-speed operation, accurate and repeatable label placement, low maintenance and quick changeovers. Read the press release to learn more about this best-in-class labeler.

Weiler Labeling System VR-72 for COVID-19 vaccine
VR-72 labeler from WLS

Weiler Labeling Systems COVID-19 Updates

In these difficult times, we want to update you on the steps Weiler Labeling Systems (WLS) is taking to protect our employees and our customers.

WLS started 2020 with a strong backlog of orders. As an essential service provider, we have continued operating during this pandemic, and incoming orders have not slowed down. Among other things, we are working to fulfill the urgent need for equipment to package future COVID-19 vaccines, including by redirecting systems built for cancelled shows.

WLS assembly floor
WLS Assembly Floor

We remain committed to keeping our customers’ packaging lines operating as efficiently as possible while focusing on the safety of all personnel. Some of the measures we have implemented to date are:

  • Keeping the number of people in our facility to a minimum by limiting the amount of employees in close contact on the assembly floor and by enacting a work-from-home policy for office personnel, sales staff and others who do not need to be in our facility
  • Implementing a daily temperature check of everyone entering our facility
  • Providing each employee with a face mask and gloves while they are in our facility
  • Asking any employees experiencing symptoms to stay home
  • Not allowing non-employees into our facility except in emergencies
  • Continuing to offer customers telephone and video support with our sales and service personnel

Our team is ready to travel and available to visit customers, but now we are also offering customers new ways to interact with our staff including:

  • Expanded use of online meeting tools such as Skype, Zoom, MS Teams and more
  • Use of augmented reality tools for remote field service support and, when authorized by customer, remote access to the machine controls via secure connection (for the time being, the first hour of remote support is offered free of charge)
  • Implementation and completion of virtual factory acceptance tests (FAT) using multiple cameras, so that our customers can see every detail of the machine and its HMI from their office PC in real time (for the time being, this service is offered free of charge)
WLS virtual factory acceptance test (FAT)
Virtual factory acceptance test (FAT) using multiple cameras

We hope things get back to normal soon and look forward to seeing you again face to face.

Read more about how ProMach and its brands are addressing the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation.

Autonomy™ IV Label Printer Maximizes Production Versatility and Label Quality

WLS is known as a world-class industry leader, and we earn that reputation by continuously inventing ways to make our great equipment even better. That’s why we refined our Autonomy IV digital label printer – it satisfies a variety of newly identified applications in pharma and non-pharma industries.

Want to know if Autonomy IV is right for you? It’s ideal for manufacturers and contract packers that are looking for quick turnaround, production planning flexibility, real-time variable data application, inventory reduction and/or multi-lingual printing. When combined with one of the various vision inspection options, such as the Total Layout Control (TLC) system from Antares Vision, it achieves quality control of the label printing operation.

Now, here’s what you need to know:

Autonomy IV features a UV-curing, drop-on-demand (DOD) printer. Running at speeds up to 3,050 inches (77 m) per minute, Autonomy IV can print everything from high-impact visual graphics in full color to human-readable codes and most barcode formats, including serialization info. It can be used to print variable data on pre-printed labels or on-demand print the entire label from ‘bright stock.’ The print quality and wear resistance are top-notch on many substrates without the need for a protective top coat.

If you’d like to learn more, join us on Tuesday, September 24th at 1:00 PM at Innovation Stage 3 (C-1041) at Pack Expo Las Vegas. In collaboration with Antares Vision, we’ll be discussing the features and capabilities of Autonomy IV and exploring how print-on-demand labeling and whole-label inspections are transforming the packaging market.

You can also check out Autonomy IV in person and find out more at Healthcare Packaging Expo booth #N-307 and at Pack Expo Las Vegas booth #C-3225.

Read our press release for more information.

Autonomy IV digital label printer
Autonomy IV digital label printer
Autonomy IV's optional reconciler removing a rejected label
Optional reconciler removing a rejected label

ProMach Pharma Business Line on Exhibit at Pack Expo Las Vegas 2019

Next month Pack Expo Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging Expo are taking over the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the ProMach Pharma Business Line is rolling out all the stops! We’ll have new equipment and customer favorites on exhibit, plus a fleet of knowledgeable team members available to help visitors find the perfect solutions to their production challenges.

Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll be showcasing:

ProMach Pharma Business Line equipment on exhibit at Pack Expo Las Vegas 2019

One of the hottest technologies is the Autonomy IV on-demand digital label printer from WLS. Responding to increased customer interest as well as a variety of newly identified applications, WLS developed the Autonomy IV printer to meet new needs in pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical markets.

WLS is also exhibiting their inline VR 60 trunnion labeler, a high-speed solution for applying film or pressure sensitive labels onto round containers using a vertical roller track design that references the container sidewall for consistent and precise label application.

NJM is displaying a few new systems, including the never-before-seen Courser vial/syringe labeler. Running at speeds up to 250 cpm for vials and 200 cpm for syringes, it’s designed to meet the growing needs of biotech companies and 503b pharmacies for personalized medicine packaging.

Also at Healthcare Packaging Expo for the first time is NJM’s Cumulus Model SLPP-15 case packer, a perfect solution to quickly and easily add traceability while automating end-of-line processes to increase productivity.

Following its worldwide debut last year, NJM is returning with the Trotter 127 pressure sensitive labeler. It’s similar to the multi-functional Trotter 126 labeler but with PC-based controls from B&R Industrial Automation that enable new functionality.

Another fan favorite we’re bringing back is the Cremer CFS-622*4 tablet counter. Featuring four filling modules to pack up to 200 cpm, this versatile counting and filling system handles almost any size tablet, capsule or softgel and fills almost any size bottle.

NJM’s beltorque high-speed capper will also be on exhibit. Rivaling the speeds of complex rotary cappers, the inline beltorque caps up to 300 cpm with simple mechanics, fast changeovers and low maintenance.

The UNISORT 32 bottle unscrambler from NJM is making an appearance as well. Offering superior ergonomics and fast changeovers, this compact system orients and feeds round, rectangular or square plastic bottles.

In addition to our many solutions on exhibit at #N-307, we have an abundance of systems we couldn’t physically fit into our booth! You can see more equipment at Zalkin’s booth, #C-2818, and ID Technology’s booth, #C-3225. If you’d like to join us in Las Vegas Sept 23-25, we’re providing our guests with free registration – just use this link and input code ‘37T84.’

We’ll see you there!

The ProMach Pharma Business Line Expands Sales and Support in Europe

The ProMach Pharma team just got bigger!

We’re thrilled to announce Layth Obediat has joined us as the new European Sales Manager for NJM, WLS and Zalkin. Spearheading our growing sales and service activities in Europe, he’s responsible for bringing our bottle, vial, syringe and auto-injector packaging systems to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and medical device manufacturers and contract packers throughout the continent.

The addition of Layth to the Pharma Business Line further strengthens our presence in Europe, where we offer dedicated sales and local support including integration services, installation, training, spare parts and more. With his strong business development skills and industry background including 13 years in pharmaceutical equipment sales, Layth is ideally suited to lead our team in this vital region and quickly step into this important new role.

Together, the ProMach Pharma Business Line delivers over 100 years of pharmaceutical packaging expertise, designing and building the most innovative and effective equipment. Trusted by the top pharma companies worldwide, we supply bottle unscrambling, capping, labeling, coding/serialization, label printing, conveying, cottoning and sealing systems.

We invite you to reach out to Layth Obeidat to learn more about the ProMach Pharma Business Line and our capabilities.

Read the press release to learn more.

Layth Obeidat joins the ProMach Pharma Business Line