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New label serialization station from PCE: Print and check track & trace labels on the production line

Mettler-Toledo PCE expands its portfolio with the newly developed Label Serialization Station (LSS) for automatic label preparation and verification. Companies in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries can produce traceable track and trace labels for their products at a throughput of up to 500 labels per minute. The Label Serialization Station can be fully incorporated into the line or is available as a compact table-top solution.

Pharmaceutical companies depend on continuously optimizing the efficiency of their production lines in order to remain competitive in the industry. With the new Mettler-Toledo PCE LSS manufacturers can create compliant serialization labels with track and trace protection without having to sacrifice high throughput or system availability.

Prints and checks in one step

The LSS prints and checks up to 500 labels per minute. The system combines a labeling module, a high resolution camera and an automatic rejection system for defective labels. The labelling module has a thermal transfer printer for accurate, high-contrast colour impressions on each label. The durable, abrasion-resistant print is ideal for serialization data.

After printing, a high resolution camera checks the labels for quality features such as readability and completeness. Manufacturers can individually preset how much variation from the ideal is acceptable. The camera also recognises text, numbers and codes. The system reads the information detected by it in real time and compares it with the manufacturer’s database. Printed serial numbers are verified in this way and are stored for later traceability in the system. A downstream electronic rejection system removes erroneous labels even before they come into contact with the product. In this way further production and packaging processes may proceed as planned without interruptions or rejections.

Track and trace labels comply with international standards

The LSS handles a variety of label formats and automatically adjusts itself to the current line speed, as needed. Manufacturers have at their disposal a system for all current and forthcoming identification and serialization standards in use in the pharmaceutical industry. Labels can be readily produced for sales in Europe, China, the US and many other countries. The LSS can also be used off-line to produce labels roll-on-roll for storage. These labels will then find their way to a downstream production process.

LSS-C: Compact table-top version

The rugged housing has a tubular steel frame; all components are protected from dust and dirt and are easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance work via two large doors. The LSS is also available in a compact table-top version. This version is ideal for manufacturers with small batch runs or for use in laboratories and medical applications, where manual packaging processes are preferred.

"Our new LSS has been designed specifically for durability and operational efficiency," says Reinhold van Ackeren, head of marketing & product management at Mettler-Toledo PCE. "With the LSS manufacturers achieve a really low TCO. Every day they benefit from rapid product changeovers and reduced maintenance and cleaning effort."