Print Innovation Asia Issue 3 2022
38
Omnicell increases blister packaging production with MPS EXL-Packaging flexo press In 2018, world leader in medication packaging, Omnicell, recognized the need to increase capacity at their St. Petersburg, FL facility and began searching for a flexo press solution to meet the demands of the market. Specializing in high volume blister packaging, Omnicell produces various single and multi-pill packaging products for use in their autonomous pharmacy machines. “We were at max press capacity with the packaging we were producing in our Florida plant and we needed to find a new solution to ramp up production,” says Chris Hayes, Manufacturing Engineer at Omnicell and leader of the press initiative. Requirements for high speed card applications As the search began for a new press solution, Chris and Omnicell leadership had one key goal in mind: increase production capacity while maintaining the Omnicell standard of quality. Chris, a 10-year industry professional in engineering and packaging applications, laid out clear targets for press manufacturers to meet and evaluated five popular flexo packaging press OEMs over the course of one year. Omnicell’s main criteria: the equipment needed to produce at top speeds for heat seal card applications and cold seal card applications. In addition,
there were unique restrictions on the substrate thickness and width, in order to effectively produce the complex blister packaging applications in their everyday production. Press
speed, local service and support, responsive communication and niche auxiliary equipment were all important considerations when choosing the right press partner to meet their goals. These standards were sent to each final OEM for evaluation and, in the end, “MPS CRUSHED every single requirement we had,” boasts Chris. Performance beyond expectations After rigorous OEM testing and evaluation, Omnicell made the decision to purchase an MPS EXL-Packaging 680 flexo press, in 2019, to achieve their goal of increased production. Omnicell’s MPS EXL-Packaging press is equipped with an impressive list of state-of-the-art technology, including:
