A blister cartoning machine works on the principle of packing blister packs into cartons automatically, and has precision in speed and consistent quality in its performance. The blister feed system of the machine sorts out and transports blister packs into a particular loading station. High-capacity machines that can run 300 blisters per minute help achieve more productivity in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries where packaging requires large-scale operations.
Once blister packs are in place, the cartoning section folds flat pre-cut blanks into cartons. A mechanical or vacuum-assisted picking system picks up each blank, folding it to the shape of a carton. Advanced versions, such as those by companies like Uhlmann and IMA, use servo-driven folding mechanisms, which greatly enhance accuracy and minimize the traditional downtime associated with mechanical adjustments. Some of these machines are also available with adjustable options for various sizes of cartons, often starting from very small unit-dose sizes to much bigger multi-dose packages. This allows flexibility in handling different packaging needs.
Once the carton is formed, the blister packs are inserted into the carton through the robot arm or pusher mechanism of the machine. Blister by blister, each goes into its preassigned place at high speeds, with correct placement accuracy approaching 99.9%. The products will align and lock in place within this carton. Some machines have provision for inserts, such as folded instruction leaflets placed alongside the blister packs, making the operation even more versatile. Top-of-the-line blister cartoners run as many as 200 inserts per minute, giving efficient introduction of essential information to the end-user.
Seal variants are available to suit different production needs. Most blister cartoning machine use either hot-melt glue or tuck-in flaps to seal cartons. The hot-melt systems apply just the right amount of adhesive to ensure a strong and uniform seal that maintains the integrity of the carton. This is quite important in pharmaceutical packaging, where product security and tamper evidence are very much an issue. Machines with integrated glue systems will improve consistency in sealing, perhaps improving output quality and reducing waste.
User-friendly control panels place at the operators’ discretion the immediate monitoring of production data, changes in carton sizes, and immediate troubleshooting of any issues as they arise. Most systems involve a touch-screen interface that shows speeds, error rates, and machine diagnostics that provide the operator with in-depth insight into the packaging process.
Blister carton forming machines automate the whole process, from the feeding of blisters and formation of cartons to product insertion and sealing. Accordingly, it ensures efficiency, precision, and safety for products under high demand in the packaging environment.