Projeto de um mecanismo de remoção de batoques mal posicionados em frascos no processo de envasamento de líquidos em uma indústria farmacêutica

Abstract

This study reports the development of a project aimed at removing improperly fitted stoppers from bottles during the liquid filling process in a pharmaceutical industry located in Paraná, Brazil, in response to customer complaints regarding leakage. This stopper removal process may vary depending on the model and brand of the filling equipment, as well as the way the equipment is installed within the production area. In this context, variations may occur if the conveyor belt performs changes in its trajectory. Additionally, the process requires the use of specific molds and jigs for each type of bottle that follows a curved path, with these configurations also being dependent on the available space for the device installation. Quality tools, product design methodology, and experiments conducted on the liquid filling machines were applied to determine the most effective method for removing improperly inserted stoppers. A device was then developed and tested for this purpose. The developed device successfully achieved the desired outcome and complied with the requirements necessary for operation within a pharmaceutical production environment, such as material selection, ease of cleaning, assembly and disassembly, maintenance accessibility, and manufacturing process suitability.