Features/Benefits Provided: Provided high security for FDA regulated substances Provided lower labor costs Reduced product damage for unique product characteristics Provided absolute inventory accuracy and integrity

A specialty pharmaceutical company, whose products include delivery systems and well as drugs used primarily in hospital environments, needed a solution. The nature of their primary products, saline based intravenous solution bags, makes handling and accountability significantly more complicated than typically stored and moved products. Furthermore, absolute inventory accuracy, traceability and accountability were required by their customers and mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

At several of their manufacturing facilities, the customer decided on an integrated solution of three technologies from the supplier: automatic guided vehicle (AGV), automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) and an equipment management system (EMS).

To handle volumes at one site, 28 lift deck AGVs were selected. Using RF communications and a patented guidance system, no floor wires are used. This allows flexibility to guide path changes for new operations. The AGVs interface with static "4 post" pick up stands and conveyors. The integrity/size of the load is checked by special sizing stations located prior to load induction into the storage rack. The SRMs installed have a 4000 lb. capacity, featuring advanced structural design that allows high performance and essentially an infinite structural life.

The heart of the system is the EMS which maintains load density, tracks load movement through the system, moves loads logically through the system, directs movement of the equipment in real time and interfaces with the customer's host computer. The EMS meets FDA requirements and is validated through testing and documentation.

The solution has shown its flexibility to adapt to the dynamic pharmaceutical marketplace as well as the company's evolving processes.

 
is a proud member of the AGVS Manufacturers Association of Material Handling Industry of America

P. O. Box 1512
Milwaukee, WI 53201-1512
Phone: 1.800.HKSystems
Email: hkinfo@hksystems.com
Website: www.hksystems.com