The next generation of manufacturing technology for biotherapeutics is here
and it demands new innovations in efficiency and flexibility.
Rockwell Automation and GE have combined their technological expertise to help
biopharmaceutical companies integrate and advance biomanufacturing with novel solutions.
Let's take a look at a few real-world examples.
Situational awareness use case
This example shows how the augmented reality application
can improve situational awareness in a clean room production environment.
Operators can use the app on a mobile device to view critical parameters on equipment such as a bioreactor.
The app displays a variety of key performance indicators, such as carbon dioxide or pH levels.
Maintenance personnel can use the app to get other critical information
like a no load detection, an open wire detection, ambient temperature, or a failed power supply.
Equipment setup use case
Connection management is critical in the biopharmaceutical field.
A single-use platform manufacturing batch could have hundreds of connections.
Manufacturers need to effectively monitor, track, and document how those connections were made.
Operators can use the augmented reality app to scan each single-use connection.
For example, the connection between the bioreactor flowing through a pump and into a storage tote.
First, an operator scans the bar code on a single-use expendable.
The app verifies that the tubeset was scanned.
A yellow outline on the screen indicates that one more connection is required.
The outline on the screen turns green, once the second connection is completed,
and scanned, verifying that this was the correct connection.
Next, we'll look at a connection that was done incorrectly.
If the operator scans the wrong single-use expendable, the screen will show an error message.
[ON SCREEN] You cannot connect parts (B3 and F5) Please scan correct part -> F4.
To resolve the error, the operator must locate the correct single-use expendable and scan its bar code.
A green outline indicates that the connection was made correctly.
The app also generates an audit trail and a quality certificate to document the procedure.
Remote setup use case
This technology helps maintenance personnel get support when they need it.
Let's say there is a suspected issue with a pump.
A maintenance technician scans the pump and the augmented reality app
shows that the flow is good and displays the flow rate in gallons per minute.
If it's not flowing correctly, the app will display an alarm.
Here, the alarm is blinking, indicating the pump is experiencing a low flow.
If the technician cannot resolve the issue,
they can use the mobile device to contact a supervisor.
The app provides the supervisor a live view of the situation.
The app can also build a model of the equipment for additional troubleshooting assistance.
The app stays locked on the model, tracking the component being discussed.
The technician can highlight the area that seems to be the issue by drawing on the screen.
They can have a conversation to troubleshoot the issue.
Here, the supervisor notices that the bolts aren't torqued down enough
to get the required flow, and instructs the technician how to fix this.
The technician torques the screws down and the issue is resolved within minutes.
Documentation use case
The augmented reality app can store hundreds of documentation files,
such as quick start guides, user manuals, technical data sheets, and links
to websites for the latest information.
Providing paperless guidance in a clean room
as well as easy access anywhere.
The Rockwell Automation and GE collaboration is advancing
next generation technologies that can streamline biomanufacturing
by reducing errors and enhancing technical support while maintaining regulatory compliance.