Customer Story: Integrated Marking and Inspection at MTN

“We must ensure that every single container is marked correctly.”

Britt Steiner, Plant Manager & Martin Gross, Head of Operations

Regulatory standards such as the EU MDR are raising the bar for marking, making automated checks a prerequisite for compliance:

• Unique identification of each product
• Complete and legible marking
• Seamless documentation and traceability

At MTN, the dialysis concentrates are filled into canisters and are automatically labeled. In practice, MTN handles a wide variety of different products, packaging, labels, and country-specific designs. In the past, many parameters had to be set manually during changeovers – which is a time-consuming process that is also prone to errors.

MTN therefore decided to automate the marking process and at the same time integrate reliable quality control directly into the process.

“The system integrates seamlessly into our process and gives us the assurance that every product leaves our production line free of defects.” 

Britt Steiner, Plant Manager

The system in use is one from the Wipotec TQS series. It combines several functions that are performed by separate different devices in most production lines.

Two labeling units are integrated in the MTN configuration, each of which marks one side of the canister. One unit is also equipped with a printer that prints variable data onto the label before applying the label. A camera system then automatically checks the position and legibility of the labels. 

Transport, labeling, printing, and inspection are now integrated into a single system with a centralized control. As a result, the individual process steps are seamlessly integrated and can be easily operated, monitored, and connected to higher-level systems. Instead of configuring and monitoring several separate devices, operators control all functions using one central interface. Article parameters are loaded from the system in a simple and repeatable way. This reduces the potential for errors, making it easier to switch between products and also simplifying staff training. 

“This makes the process much easier for our operators and also less prone to errors.” 

Martin Gross, Head of Operations

In addition to marking, integration into the existing production line was a decisive factor for MTN. TQS has been integrated into the existing installation and fits seamlessly into the existing process. At the same time, it is part of a more extensive upgrade project in which MTN is gradually automating its production lines. The modular architecture of TQS allows for easy adaptation to future plant configurations. 

TQS will be enhanced with a checkweigher as part of the production line upgrade. This will allow MTN to measure, monitor, and document the weight of each individual canister in future, rather than just looking at the total weight of a batch.

By implementing TQS, MTN has “taken an important step toward automation and quality assurance”, according to Britt Steiner. The combination of automated labeling, variable data printing, and subsequent quality control has proved effective: 

• Automated quality assurance
• Simplified operation, processes, and training
• Faster and safer article changeovers
• Labeling error incidence reduced from 65 % to 2 %

• Foundation laid for further expansion phases

   

“The first system showed just how flexibly the solution can be integrated. This is why we can definitely see ourselves working with Wipotec on future projects.” 

Martin Gross, Head of Operations

Although the specifications for the next lines differ significantly, the first joint solution has shown that Wipotec is a practical and reliable partner in achieving challenging objectives.