Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices

There are two ways to obtain even higher quality bar codes using lasers on white pharmaceutical cartons. (1) Ask your carton converter to add Calcium Carbonate or Aluminum Oxide to the underlying white paperboard coating so the contrast of the marking is higher. (2) Apply a clear, laser reactive coating solution to the cartons in a defined area during production, allowing a laser to produce a colour-change effect and yielding a high-contrast black code against a white background.

The importance of integration

High quality codes require precise material handling and rigid, vibration-free coder mounting. This becomes particularly relevant when marking complex DataMatrix codes. Before installing a new line or coding system, make sure to evaluate if your product conveyance provides smooth vibration-free movement of your packaging.

Multi-lane blister and traversing coding solution

The multi-lane configuration used for packaging pharmaceutical and medical device products creates unique integration challenges. Videojet’s Wolke brand TIJ printers drive multiple printheads with one controller, enabling coding of multiple packages with one printer. In addition, Videojet CO₂ lasers offer large marking fields that enable the laser to engage multiple lanes in either intermittent or continuous motion applications.

Improve supply chain efficiency and save money

Printing lot, batch and supplier-specific information clearly on the case creates a traceability point visible to all supply chain participants – providing rapid identification in case of recall. Where not precluded by local standards such as HDMA, printing this information directly on the case simplifies packaging by helping standardise to generic packaging.

Coding may occur in several locations, either integrated into the cartoner itself or on the outfeed conveyor. Printing may also occur upstream of the cartoner on the primary pack as required.

Continuous Inkjet (CIJ)

Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.

Thermal Inkjet (TIJ)

Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.

Code integration with checkweighing equipment leverages the checkweigher’s precise material handling to improve overall print and DataMatrix quality.

Thermal inkjet (TIJ)

Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.

Laser Marking Systems

A beam of infrared light focused and steered with a series of carefully controlled small mirrors to create marks where the heat of the beam interacts with the packaging surface.

Simple coder integration with a sidegrip conveyor allows for marking of either visible or covert codes on the top or bottom of pharmaceutical bottles. Downstream code verification can be easily accommodated while the bottle is engaged by the conveyor.

Continuous inkjet (CIJ)

Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.

Several coding technologies can be utilized for contact or non-contact marking of the label before application. Precise label control facilitates high quality alphanumeric and bar code printing.

Thermal inkjet (TIJ)

Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.

Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)

A digitally controlled printhead precisely melts ink from a ribbon directly onto flexible films to provide high resolution, real-time prints.

Drop placement accuracy is critical for traceability codes placed on small pharmaceutical packaging, common in brite stocking applications. The highly precise motion of the starwheel offers the ideal material handling for this application.

Continuous inkjet (CIJ)

Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.

Precise mechanical and controls integration helps ensure high quality marking on web-based materials, including blister lidding foils and other barrier films.

Thermal inkjet (TIJ)

Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.