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Highly automated storage, handling and retrieval systems for pharmaceuticals are utilising high precision linear actuators from Schaeffler to help speed up delivery times for prescription goods, whilst also expanding the range of products that a local pharmacy can offer patients.
Many of us are familiar with the typical scene at a high street pharmacist: the customer enters the store, hands over a prescription and waits while the staff fulfil the order. Unfortunately, the particular medication you require is often not in stock and so you are required to return in a few hours once the correct product has been delivered to the pharmacy. How this delivery is achieved so quickly involves complex logistics.
First, the pharmacist calls the pharmaceuticals supplier, who takes the order, checks the stock situation and searches to find the storage point where the required medication is located. The retrieval process is carried out and the correct order quantity picked. The remaining packages must then be returned to their pre-allocated location and correctly moved back into stock. The supplier places the picked goods into a container and at a defined time, the delivery van departs for the pharmacist. This process often takes just a few hours but is labour-intensive and the customer (patient) has to wait for their prescription or return to the dispensary some time later.
Pharmacy automatic storage & retrieval systems
Equipping a pharmacist with an automated storage & retrieval system is highly attractive as it would ensure maximum availability of prescription drugs resulting in increased sales potential and the opportunity for the pharmacy to expand its range of available products.
A machine builder based in Germany recently approached Schaeffler for help in developing such a system. The emphasis from the start of this partnership was, wherever possible, to use high performance, high quality standard mechanical components and drives that were readily available in the marketplace.
The automated storage system itself comprises racks with drawers for the pharmaceutical products; a three-axis linear robot with a gripper module for handling the products; a cycled conveyor belt for moving the products into the storage area; a contact light source for localisation of packages; cameras and scanners for identifying product and for determining package size; a conveyor installation with a pneumatic transport system; transport belt and goods delivery chute at the discharge point; a stock control system; and an installation controller and related software. The linear robot system is at the core of the installation, as this performs all movement tasks of products in and out of stock within the storage area.
Standard, modular components
In developing the three-axis linear robot, the customer
| Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
| 7030 NACHI | 150 | 225 | 35 |
| 7328B NACHI | 140 | 300 | 62 |