Pen Injector Engine Assembly: Semi-automated machine for multiple models and variants
A pre-industrial solution designed to assemble pen injector engines on a single flexible linear platform with optimised footprintand precise in-process controls and a scalable variants system.
The pen injector market: growth, complexity and pressure on time-to-industrialisation
The market for self-administration drug delivery devices is growing strongly, driven by the rising prevalence of chronic and autoimmune diseases and the increasing demand for home-based therapies.
This dynamic landscape challenges drug delivery device manufacturers to continuously innovate on design, safety and usability, while compressing development timelines and production costs.
Assembling a pen injector engine requires precision, flexibility, and a platform built to scale.
The challenge: assembling two pen injector engine models on a single compact machine
A leading global supplier of drug delivery solutions was at a critical pre-industrial stage: it needed to assemble and test multiple pen injector engine models to assess market trends and industry requirements. The project required managing two distinct models, characterised by significant differences in the number of sub-assembly components, without having to invest in separate dedicated platforms.
The solution had to be flexible enough to handle significant differences between models, compact enough to fit within the available layout, and cost-efficient enough to justify investment at the pre-industrial development stage.
The solution: CB Automation’s intelligent semi-automation on a linear chassis with free pallets
CB Automation proposed a semi-automated assembly solution, where some loadings, force, coupling, functionality and vision quality checks are entrusted to fully automatic stations, while operators handle manual component loading.
The assembly machine is designed on a linear base chassis, using a flexible conveyor belt with free pallet, which enhanced overall productivity, flexibility and optimize the footprint. The manual loading stations are ergonomically designed and equipped with automatic controls, that guarantee the safety of the operators and of the process during work.
The automatic stations are equipped with state-of-theart technologies to support with precision and all the in-process controls necessary for the perfect product assembly.
Linear Design
The linear transfer system with free pallet enables multiple models to be managed on the same platform without complex changeovers, optimising the assembly flow and reducing the overall footprint.
Human-Centered Design
Manual loading stations are ergonomically designed and equipped with integrated automatic controls that ensure operator safety and process correctness throughout every working cycle.
Flexible Automation
Automatic stations are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies for in-process controls: force & coupling check, functional testing and vision quality check on every assembled unit.
An assembly machine that evolves with the product
This machine is more than an assembly machine: it is an integrated real-time data collection system that supports full unit traceability and drives continuous process improvement. The result is a smart solution designed to grow alongside the product ready to accommodate new variants and new models without requiring a new structural investment.
Key features & benefits
- Maximum flexibility: pre-engineered for the integration of future variants.
- Footprint optimization: compact layout ideal for restricted spaces.
- Precision in-process controls: continuous quality monitoring.
- Data-driven decision making: output data ready to guide strategic choices.
Tackling complexity through custom engineered automation
70 years of expertise in drug delivery device assembly
CB Automation is a trusted partner for leading global drug delivery device manufacturers.
We have design and build high-precision assembly and testing machines for the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, in full compliance with international GMP standards. Our global presence and expertise allow us to support clients at every stage of the product lifecycle: from pre-industrial development through to commercial-scale production.
Are you developing a pen injector engine?
Tell us about your project. Our engineering team is experienced in working at the pre-industrial stage, where flexibility matters as much as precision.