Fully automated warehouse systems revolutionize pharmacy operations

The challenges in the pharmaceutical industry are numerous. The timely delivery of medicine, strict legal regulations and increasing complexity of inventory management add to lead times and decrease productivity. Since the conventional sorting of packages is error-prone and time-consuming, GPI has jointly developed a fully automatic warehouse system with KUKA and other partners which integrates the KR AGILUS.

Pharmacy robots increase efficiency

Medication management demands high accuracy, reliability and speed because any error or delay can have serious consequences. Automation solutions for pharmacies always have to meet the highest standards in order to avoid severe complications. Automation, particularly in the healthcare sector, can help improve accuracy, increase efficiency and reduce costs. More and more pharmacies, hospitals and wholesalers are recognizing these advantages and automating medication management processes.

Automated packaging for complex scenarios

GPI, an Italian-based provider of healthcare automation solutions, has developed a smart and reliable input system that detects each package, scans the barcode and expiration date and transfers it to an automated gripper system that precisely loads the packaging into a pharmacy warehouse. One of the biggest challenges the system faced was the automatic handling of all manner of packages along with the large number of possible scenarios that could result for handling.

GPI developed a model for its automated loading system using a KUKA robot.

Smart automation system for pharmacies

The storage of each medication package is a unique process and not congruent with the frequently recurring conditions typically applied when using robot arms. Intelligent and powerful automation systems for pharmacies overcome this challenge. That’s why GPI collaborated with KUKA along with various research institutions such as the University of Trento and the Bruno Kessler Foundation and companies from the pharmacy sector.

The combination of the compact KR AGILUS and the fast RIEDL Phasys gripper ensures maximum speed and efficiency.

To achieve maximum efficiency in medication storage processes, the seamless integration of the loading system into the pharmacy warehouse was a crucial step. The key was to operate the fully automatic system in tandem with a high-speed gripper without affecting its speed. Because of this, GPI put together a powerful team: the compact KR AGILUS and the state-of-the-art, wireless RIEDL Phasys gripper.

In addition to the precision, reliability and versatility of the KR AGILUS, the compactness of the KR C5 controller and the simple operation of the KUKA smartPAD significantly influenced our decision to opt for the KUKA solution.”

Shahab Shakib Passand, Product Marketing Manager for Automation at GPI

GPI’s fully automated medication warehouse system is also highly flexible thanks to the use of sensor technologies, neural networks and integration of machine learning technologies. From square to cylindrical packages, the system can efficiently sort, categorize and transport medication packages to the desired pharmacy storage areas. “Thanks to the advent of fully automatic input systems, a breakthrough has emerged in pharmacy operations. These state-of-the-art technologies streamline the process of handling medication packages and significantly improve efficiency, accuracy and patient safety,” adds Shahab Shakib Passand.

Reliable and fast scanning

Barcodes play a central role in pharmaceutical inventory management. Conventional manual scanning processes are not only time-consuming, but also susceptible to human errors. The Ultra Phasys automatic loading system uses various technologies in conjunction with the KUKA robot arm, including software for sorting individual medication packages; sensors for identifying and measuring the packages; cameras for detecting products and expiration dates; and labeling medication packages with approaching expiration dates.

Up to 360 medication packages per hour

The RIEDL Phasys gripper can process up to 360 medication packages per hour. Thanks to the fully automatic loading system, GPI has established a unique selling point in the market for pharmacy automation systems. There currently is no comparable solution that can handle and load different types of medication packages with no reduction in performance, thanks to the system’s fast gripper. The seamless interaction between the KR AGILUS and the RIEDL Phasys gripper ensures optimal speed and uninterrupted work sequences.

The increasing demand for pharmacy automation is accompanied by increased competition. This means that companies in this industry must constantly strive for innovation and differentiation in order to remain competitive.

Shahab Shakib Passand, Product Marketing Manager for Automation at GPI

Scalability, adaptability and flexibility

“The KUKA automation solutions have enabled RIEDL systems to achieve outstanding performance and have helped establish GPI as a leading player in the pharmacy automation market. KUKA is the ideal automation partner for us. They are a reliable automation partner for the pharmaceutical industry and they ensure technical support for countries around the globe,” stresses Shahab Shakib Passand.

With the fast KR AGILUS, KUKA ensures the required performance in pharmacy automation.

The flexibility of the fully automatic input systems makes it possible to adapt the automation solution to the individual requirements of a wide range of pharmacies, regardless of the size and scope of their medication portfolio. Whether it’s a small local pharmacy or a large healthcare facility, these pharmacy automation systems can be scaled up accordingly, which results in cost savings and maximum efficiency.

Milestone: fully automatic loading system

As the pharmaceutical landscape evolves, the integration of fully automated loading systems for medication packages represents an important milestone for the industry. These state-of-the-art technologies are changing the way pharmacies handle medication packaging, scan barcodes, and manage medication supplies. With improved accuracy and efficiency, these systems revolutionize pharmacy operations and set new standards for excellence in healthcare. The automation of pharmaceutical processes is a necessary factor that drives efficient and reliable patient care.