IMSTec’s inventory control station verifies the completeness of medical parts within blister and paperboard packages. A lot traveller provides the information needed for the process. The built-in inspection setup ensures the presence of the correct inlay (product dependent fixture) and sample. Input and output are separated and operated by two operators – one for each side. The sensor controlled hardware control ensures that only the right drawer can be opened by the accordant operator. Apart from process start and stop no operator interaction via HMI is necessary.

To keep the operator interaction on a minimum, the lot data such as sample type and number of parts are read in from the lot traveller record. Depending on the sample type to be processed the operator loads a product dependant inlay to the drawer that is verified automatically before the process starts. Now one operator inserts a package with medical parts and closes the drawer. Inspection starts automatically. The HMI screen and a signal light on the housing indicate the inspection result. If all parts are present within the package the output drawer can be opened and the second operator can remove the part. If a part is missing operator 1 needs to remove the sample for rework. During the process no HMI interaction is necessary; the whole process is controlled by sensors within the drawers.

One inlay contains mirrors so that it is possible to inspect the inner side of a paperboard package as well. With every inspection cycle the brightness of the LED illumination is measured in order to inform the user when it is necessary to replace it. This and other maintenance work can be done by an engineer after according login.

The system is enclosed by a safety housing that protects the user from electricity and moving parts inside the machine. A special key is required to open a cover so that only qualified personnel are able to access critical components.