Blister Line BEC 400: New Family Member Attracts Visitors' Attention

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ACHEMA 2018
Blister Line BEC 400:
New Family Member Attracts Visitors’ Attention
Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG appraises its appearance at the trade show
ACHEMA, held in Frankfurt in mid-June, positively. Visitors showed particularly keen
interest in the new member of the BEC family: the BEC 400 for the packaging of solid
dose products in blisters and cartons. Other exhibited highlights, such as the Bottle
line IBC 150, digital training options, and the new combination of services also
attracted the attention of visitors from the trade. The joint stand, under the motto 360°
ADDED VALUE, also accommodated the other companies of the Uhlmann Group:
Cremer, a global leader in counting systems; KOCH, specialist for customized
packaging machines; the Chinese packaging machine manufacturer Wonder Packing;
and the center of excellence for pharmaceutical inspection systems, visiotec.

BEC 400: Great in terms of efficiency, small in terms of its footprint
The stand of the Uhlmann Group, covering an area of 575 square meters, drew visitors like a
magnet in hall 3.0. Center of attraction were the two packaging lines. The BEC 400, a
pharmaceutical packaging line comprising a blister and a cartoner module, and attaining a
maximum output of 400 blisters and 150 cartons per minute, celebrated its debut. On the
basis of fast format changeovers and short cleaning processes, it is great in terms of cost-
effectiveness. Furthermore, it is capable of processing large blisters and large-volume
cartons particularly efficiently. Small, however, is the length of the compact line, measuring
less than nine meters, and likewise its energy consumption. By adding the new BEC 400, the
company now offers a line that ranks between the BEC 300 and the BEC 500 regarding price
and output.

Various functions have been refined for the BEC 400, such as the transfer from the punch to
the cartoner module, and the SmartControl operating unit. Optional integration of the
VisioNIR AS inspection system from visiotec is also possible for the first time. The
combination of visual product inspection and “forensic” analysis ensures that all the
packaged products are in perfect order regarding visual appearance and substances. “Many
of the interested parties underlined the importance of flexibility. Their batches tend to be
smaller and trained specialists are not always available everywhere. In view of its efficiency
and cost-effectiveness, as well as the straightforward user guidance, the BEC 400 provides

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the answer to challenges currently faced in the pharmaceutical sector. This explains the flow
of visitors to the line during ACHEMA”, reports Uhlmann Managing Director Siegfried Drost.

IBC 150 for the productive packaging of solid dose products in bottles
The demands regarding flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are also met by the
second Uhlmann line exhibited in Frankfurt. The IBC 150, with its fast format changeovers
and short setup times, is geared to the productive packaging of solid dose products in
bottles. A bottle infeed, a tablet feeder, a capping unit, and a bottle discharge are integrated
into a line approximately five meters in length. It operates around 20 percent more efficiently
than a solution made up of separate components. One of the interesting details is the
Cremer tablet counter that attains 100 percent counting accuracy using infrared technology.

Digital training and services are gaining importance
Digitalization – this buzzword was to be heard everywhere at ACHEMA. Uhlmann
demonstrated its digital expertise in conjunction with the Excellence United partner
companies at their shared exhibition area in hall 3. At its own company stand, Uhlmann
demonstrated the digital training platform that allows comprehensive knowledge transfer via
video and audio-video tutorials or community functions, for example. The innovative software
solution AR-assisted process guidance, which enables pharmaceutical manufacturers to
model and document SOPs and process descriptions interactively using the HoloLens, was
also presented in the context of this topic. Furthermore, visitors were able to personally
experience Uhlmann virtual reality training: wearing VR glasses, they could carry out a
format changeover on a virtual packaging line themselves.

Uhlmann also provided an overview of its wide range of services at ACHEMA. It is based on
a modular concept so a suitable combination of services can be selected by the customer.
“Pharmaceutical manufacturers are aware that it is not the machine alone that determines
productivity. The machine itself is important, but ideal digital connections, training, and
services are needed to attain maximum overall equipment effectiveness. Uhlmann
demonstrated at ACHEMA that we are in a position to offer everything from a single source”,
says Siegfried Drost, summing up the Uhlmann trade show appearance.

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Press contact
Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
Ulrike Grünvogel, +49 7392 702-8959, gruenvogel.u@uhlmann.de

Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG is a leading global systems supplier for the
packaging of pharmaceutical products in blisters, bottles, and cartons. In addition to its
innovative packaging lines, Uhlmann provides consultation, project management, and
extensive services from a single source. The company is part of the Uhlmann Group, which
generated sales amounting to EUR 374 million with its workforce of approximately 2,000 in
the business year 2016/2017. In 2018, Uhlmann looks back on 70 successful years in the
pharmaceutical packaging sector and sets its sights on continuing this success story with
future-oriented innovations.

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Press photos

UHL_ACHEMA2018
The joint stand of the Uhlmann Group drew visitors like a magnet to hall 3.0. Uhlmann
presented a comprehensive package covering machines, digital training, and a new mixture
of services there under the motto 360° ADDED VALUE. (Photo source: Uhlmann)

UHL_ BEC400
The new BEC 400 is an addition to the successful Uhlmann BEC family. The flexible and
efficient line, comprising a blister and a cartoner module, attracted much attention from
ACHEMA visitors. (Photo source: Uhlmann)

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