Digitalization and Industry 4.0 in the Pharma packaging sector

At a time when digitalization and Industry 4.0 are revolutionizing industrial production, Enflex, a Coesia Company, is embracing this progress.  

The Coesia Digital platforms, OptiMate and PerforMate, control and monitor machines and lines within your packaging manufacturing plant. 

These tools, respectively an HMI software and an IoT platform, improve productivity, optimize processes, and integrate machines with the available information. Smart HMIs provide continuous support to operators with real-time data, alarms, step-by-step procedures, and troubleshooting manuals. IoT platforms, through advanced data collection, enable real-time data monitoring and analysis, facilitating the detection and correction of inefficiencies. They empower operations teams with valuable insights for strategy development, production adjustments, and predictive analytics.  

With its cutting-edge technologies, Enflex equips healthcare and pharmaceutical manufacturers to embrace the digital revolution and explore unprecedented opportunities.

Industry 4.0 in the healthcare industry 

Industry 4.0 represents a quantum leap in healthcare and pharmaceutical factory management. By digitalizing and integrating the various components of a manufacturing plant into one cohesive ecosystem, it's possible to collect and analyze real-time data about manufacturing operations and processes. The collected data is then stored in the cloud and processed using advanced algorithms, which enables a detailed overview and more effective understanding of overall system performance. Data analysis transforms this raw information into understandable and useful insights for teams, who can then rely on greater awareness and skills to make more defined operational decisions. In this context, Industry 4.0 not only involves the workforce and machinery but also integrates a variety of advanced hardware and software that work in synergy not only to control but also maximize production processes.

Inside digitalized manufacturing: key features of future production 

Digitalization enhances the control and management of production processes, making plant operations more flexible, efficient, and resilient to shifting market demands.  

All this is made possible thanks to a series of essential qualities:

Connectivity: The sensors integrated with the machines gather unified data that provide a complete and detailed picture of the entire factory's operational status over time. Moreover, the plant's interconnectedness facilitates access to data from diverse locations, ensuring availability wherever you are.  

Analysis Capability: The acquisition of detailed data helps companies gain a clearer view of processes, quickly identify new opportunities, and open the way for improvement based on past experiences. For instance, users can determine how long it took for a specific part to wear out, identify the frequency of stops when working with particular materials or products, and pinpoint where these occurrences happen within the process. 

Human-Machine Interaction: In the digitalization process, human input remains indispensable. Digital technologies allow to gather and access information easily, but operational decisions and actions remain a human responsibility. Through human-machine collaboration, teams can improve their skills and develop their potential: operators gain an expert companion always on board of the machine, while operations managers gain a detailed and clear overview of what’s happening on the line.

Applies to all factories:  
The digitalization process in manufacturing can be applied using the same logic and tools across all factories. It allows all manufacturers to achieve the same benefits, optimizing operations and reducing costs. This is particularly relevant in pharma, where control and efficiency are top priorities due to the strict regulations and the delicate nature of the products.

The benefits of supply chain digitalization in the pharma packaging industry 

One of the main areas where digitalization can help is the supply chain. Digitalization in pharma simplifies stakeholder collaboration and information exchange for cost-effective, agile, and sustainable operations, from SKU development to patient delivery. 

Digitalization in manufacturing boosts efficiency and resilience by leveraging historical data to optimize supply and address common issues. Full control through digital solutions ensures meticulous monitoring and compliance, enhancing the tracking of products and packaging via code reading. 

This transformation not only increases production flexibility, crucial in the era of rising patents and personalized medicine, but also enables real-time updates for workers, improving their ability to manage unforeseen challenges. Moreover, it facilitates more efficient and safer machinery maintenance and helps reduce waste, strengthening companies' financial stability.

Enflex's digital ecosystem 

Thanks to the digital platforms developed in collaboration with Coesia Digital - OptiMate and PerforMate - Enflex is ready to provide pharmaceutical customers with the means to enter the digital revolution.  

OptiMate, our user-friendly human-machine interface, offers step-by-step guided procedures and quick access to digital documentation, featuring an operator-friendly intuitive design. 

PerforMate, our IoT platform, enables real-time monitoring of machine and line performance, accessible from any location, anytime. It facilitates data collection, presents rich and customizable dashboards to compare data over time and access digital documentation.