Domino launches variable data printing solution for pharmaceutical applications

Domino Printing Sciences (Domino) has recently launched the new K600G – an innovative new blister foil and web digital Printing solution for product-level serialisation in pharmaceutical applications.

Developed in collaboration with pharmaceutical industry innovator Gallarus, and with engagement from life science industry experts SeaVision, the K600G is a ground-breaking, high-resolution, digital printing solution. The result of successful teamwork between market leaders in digital print and life science experts, the K600G promises to meet the needs of pharmaceutical manufacturers now and in the future.

“Over the last couple of years serialisation at pack level has become a global requirement in the pharmaceutical industry,” says Craig Stobie, Director of Global Sector Development at Domino. “In the future, it is likely that serialisation of individual pockets of a blister pack will become the new standard, in order to further enhance patient safety and reduce medical errors.”

Using digital printing technology to customise product packaging within manufacturing chains adds a degree of agility that allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to react more easily to legislative changes or variations in product labelling requirements, as it reduces reliance on external packaging providers.

The new K600G includes a range of solutions that have been developed for different installation types, including off-line, near-line, top-of-line, sealed-blister-coding for printing directly on formed blister packs, and an integrated-line version developed to meet the needs of OEMs.

The K600G has a native resolution of 600dpi and excellent greyscale capability. Based on Domino’s market-leading piezo drop-on-demand inkjet technology, the printer is also capable of building up imagery using multiple different drop sizes – this improves image quality and gives manufacturers more control over their ink consumption.

“In pharmaceutical manufacturing, code quality and legibility are of key importance, and, owing to the cost of unplanned downtime, it is also imperative that machines are kept functioning at optimal performance,” says Bart Vansteenkiste, Global Sector Manager – Life Sciences at Domino. “The K600G was developed with this level of reliability and durability in mind with automated maintenance systems to reduce operator intervention and to keep the system running at optimal performance.”

In order to achieve the highest levels of efficiency, the system can also be supplied with a unique AI software, that collects, analyses, and learns from factory data to provide intelligent manufacturing solutions.

“With the K600G, we have combined the key principles of Industry 4.0 to provide a solution that addresses the evolving life science environment and production challenges facing pharmaceutical manufacturers,” says John McKeon, CEO of Gallarus. “The new solution delivers exponential benefits in the form of ROI, cost-saving, quality enhancement, and OEE efficiencies.”

The K600G is capable of printing at speeds of up to 75 metres per minute and print widths range from a single print module, covering 108mm (4.25”), up to seven dual print modules with a combined width of 782mm (30.81”). The smart i-Tech StitchLink micro-motor provides accurate print head alignment and image stitching to achieve seamless printing across a full web print width.

With its revolutionary i-Tech CleanCap, the K600G cleans the print heads when not in operation, leaving them wiped and capped, ready for the next use. This removes the need for daily print head cleaning, protects the print heads from blockage and damage, and reduces the need for maintenance. i-Tech ActiFlow ensures the ink is always moving around the print head. This degasses the ink, preventing the formation of air bubbles that can impact nozzle performance and increase the risk of product rejects.