What is Automatic Packaging? Basic Components and Operating Principles

Automatic packaging or automatic palletizing, is an automation process that enables products to be automatically placed in cartons or on pallets in industrial production processes. This process is of great importance for packaging, storage, and transportation of products. Automatic palletizing systems enable products to be packaged quickly and precisely on production lines. Here are general details about the basic components and how the automatic palletizing process works:

Transportation System: There is a transportation system that allows products to be transported from the production line to the automatic palletizing station. This transportation system may include conveyor belts, palletizing robots, or other handling equipment.

Product Detection: The automatic palletizing system uses sensors such as image processing cameras, sensors, or laser scanners to detect the position and type of products. This helps determine the correct position of the pallets or cartons where the products need to be placed.

Palletizing or Depalletizing Robots: Automatic palletizing systems include robots or mechanical devices used to place products on pallets or in cartons. These robots place the products in a specific arrangement or stack according to the type of products.

Carton or Pallet Storage: The automatic palletizing system may include a storage area or warehouse to store empty cartons or pallets and use them when needed for placing new products.

Control and Programming: The automatic palletizing system has a control system and software to determine how products will be placed, the order of placement, and other process parameters. This allows managing production processes and making adjustments.

How Does Automatic Palletizing Work?

The basic operating principles of the automatic palletizing station are as follows:

Product Detection: As products are transported from the production line to the automatic palletizing station, the product detection system detects the type, size, and position of the products.

Palletizing or Depalletizing Robots: Depending on the type of products and the type of pallet or carton they need to be placed in, palletizing or depalletizing robots place the products accurately. This process is carried out according to a predefined arrangement or stack.

Pallet or Carton Storage: The automatic palletizing system directs pallets or cartons where the products are placed to a storage area or warehouse for storing and using them when new products need to be placed.

Control and Monitoring: The automatic palletizing system controls and monitors the entire process. It ensures the accuracy and speed of product placement and can make corrections when needed.

Automatic palletizing helps reduce labor in industrial production, enables products to be packaged quickly and regularly, and enhances the efficiency of production processes. This system is widely used in various industries, especially in the food, automotive, logistics, and packaging sectors.

In the pharmaceutical sector, automatic palletizing and Package Transfer System (PTS) packaging processes help pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors monitor and manage the processes from drug production to distribution. These processes are implemented by regulators to ensure the safety and traceability of drugs. Here are the general steps of automatic palletizing and PTS package creation processes in the pharmaceutical sector:

Drug Production and Packaging: Drug production involves mixing drug ingredients, formulating, and producing final products. The manufactured drugs are placed in drug boxes and labeled using specific packaging machines.

Barcode Generation: A unique barcode is generated for each drug box or package. These barcodes uniquely identify the drug products. The barcodes may include drug type, batch number, expiration date, serial number, and other drug information.

PTS Information and Database: The information of the manufactured drugs is recorded in a PTS database. This database includes a tracking and tracing system in XML format that records the unique identification details and movements of each drug.

Palletizing of Drugs: The manufactured drugs are placed in pallets using automatic palletizing systems. Each pallet is labeled with a content list that includes the types and quantities of the drugs. The pallet is automatically created and identified with barcode labels by palletizing machines.

PTS Labeling: Each pallet or package is marked with a special PTS label according to PTS requirements. This label includes the unique identifier, serial number, and tracking information of the drug.

Distribution and Tracking: The pallets are sent to storage areas or distribution centers for use in the drug distribution process. The PTS system records the movement of each drug and provides distribution tracking. This ensures that the products are safely tracked and monitored.

The PTS system enables real-time information sharing among drug manufacturers, distributors, and regulatory agencies. This is crucial to verify that products are not counterfeit and to quickly identify situations that require recalls. The processes of automatic palletizing and PTS package creation in the pharmaceutical sector play a critical role in ensuring the safety, traceability, and compliance of drugs. These processes ensure that drugs are produced and distributed in compliance with legal regulations, maintaining patient safety and drug quality. Additionally, they are essential for preventing and tracking counterfeit drugs.