Smart factory technology

Earlier this year, Xilinx (San Jose, Calif.) launched its Kria line of adaptive system-on-modules (SOMs) for a host of AI applications, including in factory and healthcare environments. In terms of the former, the SOMs target digital twin, predictive maintenance and defect detection applications. SOMs, which are small embedded boards about the size of a credit…

The Pfäffikon, Switzerland–based mechatronics and robotics company has named Olivier Cremoux to be the deputy head of pharma and medical device for Stäubli Robotics North America. Cremoux has worked in various Stäubli divisions since 2015 and has served as an international business development manager. In 2018, he began a stint as a North American business…

The accuracy of serialization data and compliance by trading partners provides the foundation for compliance with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). During the pharmaceutical packaging process, however, there may be unplanned events that jeopardize the integrity of the data, reduce productivity and increase operational costs. Equipment jams, power failures, product damage during handling…

The robotics firm Wyzo (Ecublens, Switzerland) recently debuted a novel pick-and-place sidebot, which is suitable for various uses, including lightweight applications within pharmaceutical facilities. Pharmaceutical Processing World recently profiled the robot, which can support up to 80 picks per minute.   To learn more about the robot, we reached out to Wyzo CEO Frank Souyris, who describes…

The robotics firm Wyzo (Ecublens, Switzerland) has launched what it deems the world’s first pick-and-place sidebot. Supporting pharmaceutical production line applications, the Wyzo robot can work side-by-side with humans without traditional protective barriers. The robot also supports up to 80 picks per minute. The Wyzo is also compatible with standard grippers. The company says that…

Bayer (ETR:BAYN) is pumping cash into its operations in Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland.  The company is at once modernizing its current operations there while also constructing a new pharmaceutical plant.   Bayer notes that the new facility will make extensive use of automation and robotics.  Bayer first built the existing Turku plant…

Here’s how self-service analytics increases process engineers’ control over vaccine production and quality. This scientific, engineering and logistical achievement that is the COVID-19 vaccine is a feat unparalleled. It’s the perfect example of human ingenuity and how modern advancements can make a difference. A lot of credit, however, has to go to the rise of…

For any vaccine, some degree of waste is expected. The problem is inspiring supply-chain companies to explore new technologies that can address a longstanding struggle. “Before COVID-19, we often saw waste of about 8–10%,” said Ranjeet Banerjee, CEO of Cold Chain Technologies, which provides insulated packaging for drugs and biologics. A 2019 World Health Organization report citing…

The pharmaceutical industry is warming to the concept of smart manufacturing — and predictive maintenance in particular. The reason for that trend is partly financial. A single hour of downtime can potentially cost millions of dollars in lost productivity, and predictive maintenance promises to make maintenance more efficient and effective. One traditional barrier to predictive…

Global supply chains have arguably seen more disruption in the past year than they have seen in decades. Pharmaceutical supply chains were especially vulnerable in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a rethink of supply chain management for the industry. Another wrinkle is a recent executive order from President Biden, which prompted a…