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Advantech Industry 4.0 Solutions, Excellence in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Technology Category
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Cloud Computing
Applicable Industries
- Pharmaceuticals
Applicable Functions
- Discrete Manufacturing
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- In-process Traceability
- Remote Asset Management
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
União Química, one of the biggest players in Brazil’s burgeoning pharmaceutical industry, was being held back by its reliance on outdated production methods. The firm’s managers found their production lines hampered by a low productivity and a lack of efficient quality monitoring, as well as a lack of remote connectivity enabling easy access to critical production line data. One key distinguishing feature in drug manufacturing is the necessity of carefully documenting each step of the production process for compliance. These strict requirements led pharmaceutical manufacturers to store production information in paper records for future reference, but this approach also made it difficult for production managers to make process improvements.
About The Customer
União Química is one of the biggest manufacturers in Brazil’s pharmaceutical industry. With roots dating back to 1936 and more than 3,600 employees, União Química is a significant player in Brazil's burgeoning pharmaceutical industry. Despite its long history and strong sales, the firm was being held back by its reliance on outdated production methods. Specifically, the firm’s managers found their production lines hampered by low productivity and a lack of efficient quality monitoring, as well as a lack of remote connectivity enabling easy access to critical production line data.
The Solution
Advantech, in collaboration with Orange Pharma IT, developed an automatic data acquisition system to ensure product traceability without manual operations, while also enabling remote connectivity through a cloud computing system. Advantech’s ADAM-6250 digital I/O module and HMI operator interfaces formed the backbone of this enhanced data acquisition system. The ADAM-6250 offers daisy chain connection with auto-bypass protection, remote monitoring, and control with mobile devices, and group configuration capability for multiple module setups. Advantech’s HMI monitoring solutions combine high-performance panel PCs with low-power web terminals, making them ideal process visualization tools for monitoring workflows in smart factory production lines.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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