#1 Stunning High Speed Serialization Machine - Hicof

Revolutionary High Speed Serialization Machine

The Hicof AMACODER-C300 is a revolutionary high speed serialization machine based on a patented box transport mechanism. The machine, is based on the proven Hicof mechanisms while lowering the cycle time. This allows to provide high quality output and low reject rates at maximum throughput.

AMACODER-C300 HIGHLIGHTS

Automatic cartoner lines typically operate as either intermittent (indexed) or continuous-motion systems. Both technologies are widely used within the pharmaceutical and packaging industries, yet each offers different advantages and limitations. Continuous-motion coding machines are known for their exceptional throughput and are often selected for high-volume production environments where maximum speed is the primary requirement. However, these systems are usually associated with high investment costs, large installation footprints, and increased mechanical complexity.

Intermittent systems, on the other hand, have traditionally been valued for their compact design, flexibility, and cost efficiency. Machines such as the AMACODER have become established solutions for pharmaceutical serialization because they are easy to integrate, highly reliable, and well suited for applications involving frequent product changes or varying batch sizes. Their smaller footprint allows manufacturers to integrate them into existing production environments without major modifications. Despite these advantages, intermittent systems have historically been limited in terms of throughput, typically reaching maximum speeds of around 150 packs per minute. As a result, manufacturers were often forced to choose between the flexibility of intermittent technology and the high output of continuous-motion systems.

Hicof is now redefining these boundaries with the latest evolution of the AMACODER platform. Through continuous engineering development and process optimization, Hicof has introduced the first intermittent coding line capable of achieving speeds of up to 300 pieces per minute. This breakthrough represents a major technological advancement within the serialization industry and significantly changes the performance expectations associated with intermittent systems. By combining compact machine architecture with unprecedented throughput, the new AMACODER successfully bridges the gap between intermittent flexibility and continuous-motion productivity.

At the heart of this innovation lies a completely new patented transport principle specifically developed to minimize cycle times while maximizing process stability and positioning accuracy. Conventional intermittent systems often rely on transport technologies that limit acceleration and deceleration performance. These mechanical restrictions create unavoidable idle time between indexing movements and ultimately restrict the achievable line speed. Instead of further optimizing traditional conveyor concepts, Hicof developed an entirely new transport mechanism designed specifically for high-speed serialization applications.

Unprecedented Performance

The unique patented concept of the AMACODER replaces conventional conveyor-based transport systems with an advanced precision pusher mechanism. Folding boxes arriving from upstream equipment such as cartoners, checkweighers, or inspection units are first transferred onto the AMACODER infeed plate. From there, the newly developed pusher system takes over the transport process. Unlike conventional solutions, the innovative mechanism is capable of dynamically engaging and disengaging during operation. This functionality made it possible to integrate two independent pusher systems operating alternately in perfect synchronization.

This alternating transport principle is one of the key innovations behind the AMACODER’s exceptional performance. While one pusher performs its transport stroke and positions the cartons for serialization or coding, the second pusher simultaneously prepares for the next cycle. Once the active movement is completed, the first pusher retracts immediately, allowing the next group of cartons to enter the transport zone without interruption. The result is an extremely efficient and highly controlled indexed movement of the product stack with significantly reduced non-productive movement time. This innovative approach enables throughput rates previously considered impossible for intermittent systems.

In addition to increased speed, the new transport principle also delivers outstanding process precision and repeatability. Pharmaceutical serialization requires exact carton positioning to ensure reliable code printing, camera inspection, aggregation, and full traceability compliance. Even small deviations in product alignment can negatively affect print quality or inspection accuracy. The AMACODER’s precision pusher system ensures consistently consistent carton positioning throughout the entire transport cycle, maintaining high serialization quality even at maximum operating speeds.

Another major advantage of the AMACODER design is its compact machine architecture. Continuous-motion systems capable of comparable throughput are often significantly larger and may require extensive modifications to existing production layouts. The AMACODER maintains the compact footprint traditionally associated with intermittent machines while delivering performance levels comparable to continuous-motion technology. This allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to increase production capacity without major factory redesigns or additional floor space requirements. Existing packaging lines can therefore be upgraded more efficiently, reducing implementation costs and minimizing production downtime during installation.

The system was also designed with maximum operational flexibility in mind. Modern pharmaceutical production increasingly requires shorter product life cycles, smaller batch sizes, and frequent format changes. The AMACODER addresses these challenges through flexible feeding configurations and modular integration capabilities. The system can easily be adapted to different packaging layouts and connected with various upstream and downstream machines depending on customer-specific requirements. This flexibility makes the AMACODER suitable for a broad range of pharmaceutical serialization applications, from standalone coding stations to fully integrated packaging lines.

HOW TO GET SUPERIOR CODING QUALITY OUT OF THE SERIALIZATION MACHINE

The Amacoder delivers a very high coding quality as shown in the image.

The reason for this high coding quality is as follows:

As the boxes are touching each other, the transport speed of the boxes is much lower than with conventional conveyor machines where a space between boxes is required
Very controlled movement of the boxes as they are guided from all sides during the flow through the machine
The servo controlled pusher is extremely precise in reproducing positions, speed and acceleration
A long distance between the print heads and the camera ensure complete drying of the ink, a prerequisite for correct barcode grading according ISO 15415 grading by the inspection camera

Conclusion

The AMACODER-C remains a proven solution for pharmaceutical serialization and continues to offer a wide range of configurable options tailored to modern production environments. Available features include checkweigher integration, advanced inspection technologies, multiple feeding concepts, and compatibility with standard serialization and aggregation systems used throughout the pharmaceutical industry. With the introduction of the new high-speed transport technology, these established capabilities are now combined with unprecedented throughput performance, enabling manufacturers to significantly increase productivity without compromising reliability or operational flexibility.

From an economic perspective, the advantages of the new AMACODER generation are substantial. Pharmaceutical manufacturers face continuous pressure to improve efficiency while complying with increasingly strict international serialization regulations. Traditionally, achieving higher throughput required investment in expensive continuous-motion equipment associated with high acquisition costs, increased maintenance complexity, and larger space requirements. Hicof now offers an alternative by delivering continuous-motion-level productivity within a compact and cost-efficient intermittent platform. This allows manufacturers to optimize return on investment while reducing operational complexity.

Maintenance and serviceability were also key considerations during development. By simplifying critical transport functions and reducing unnecessary mechanical complexity, Hicof created a system that not only operates at higher speeds but also supports long-term reliability and reduced maintenance requirements. The modular machine design allows easier access to service areas, minimizes downtime during maintenance procedures, and simplifies component replacement when necessary. These advantages contribute directly to increased equipment availability and higher overall production efficiency.

With the latest evolution of the AMACODER, Hicof has successfully expanded the limits of intermittent technology and established a new benchmark for pharmaceutical serialization systems. By combining compactness, flexibility, precision, and throughput capabilities of up to 300 pieces per minute, the AMACODER offers manufacturers a future-oriented solution capable of meeting the growing demands of modern pharmaceutical packaging environments.

AMACODER-C300 MODELS

The AMACODER-C300 is the ideal coding machine for high speed serialization to integrate into automatic lines. Offering economic design with fast changeover times. The AMACODER-C300 is ideally combined with the AMAPACKER-A300 to offer seamless pharma serialization with aggregation.

THE LABEL CREATOR

Hicof AMACENA features a build-in web based label creator to create and adjust all print layouts for AMACODERS, and all connected tertiary label printers. The label creator allows GMP compliant change control of all label parameters across the enterprise.

ONE SYSTEM

Hicof AMACENA is a uniform system covering all serialization related topics in the enterprise. The solution works as monoblock which allows the customer to use the same user interfaces across AMACENA. This reduces efforts in training and operations.

EMVO

AS2

US DSCSA

SFTP

CRPT

REST API

NMPAB/T

Webservice

INTERFACING

Hicof AMACENA allows to integrate the solution with in-house IT, external partners and governmental systems. The solution features an easy to use interface engine to quickly set new connections.

SUPPORT

The HICOF Machines offer in combination with AMACENA an integrated IT-backbone, starting at machine level from the devices as printers, cameras and sensors up to data interfaces of governmental servers. In case of an issue, our experts have instantaneously access through remote access to all relevant parameters across all IT-servers down to the PLC, allowing a seamless and immediate support. This is the opposite of the conventional ISA-95 environment with several software and machine suppliers in which each service engineer has only access to his fraction of data, making a comprehensive root cause analysis extremely cumbersome as he has to synchronize with other involved vendors.

Hicof solves the issue by offering

One System, One Supplier, One Responsibility!