1. Tube Labeling and Printing

• • Empty blood collection tubes are fed into the labeling machine.
  • Labels are automatically applied to the tubes and variable information such as batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, and barcode is printed online.
  • Labeled tubes are collected and transferred to the automatic processing line.

2. Cap and Rubber Combination

• • Plastic caps and rubber stoppers are automatically assembled in the Cap & Rubber Combination Machine.
  • The combined cap-stopper assemblies are fed to the capping system for further processing.

3. Tube Loading

• • Labeled tubes are loaded into the tube loader hopper.
  • The automatic loading system arranges the tubes into tube racks and transfers them to the production line.

4. Reverse Tube Detection

• • The loaded tube rack passes through the tube detection station.
  • The system detects reverse, missing, or improperly positioned tubes.
  • Any abnormal condition triggers an alarm and the process stops until corrective action is taken.

5. Chemical Spraying / Additive Coating

• • The tube rack moves to the chemical spraying station.
  • Additives such as EDTA, Heparin, Clot Activator, or Sodium Citrate are sprayed into the tubes using a high-precision 5-nozzle pinch valve dosing system.
  • A sample spray station allows verification of dosing before batch production.

6. Drying Process

• • The coated tubes pass through a three-stage drying system.
  • PTC heaters and high-pressure air circulation ensure uniform drying of the additive layer inside the tubes.
  • The drying process prevents contamination and ensures coating stability.

7. Cap Placement

• • After drying, the cap adding unit automatically picks the cap-rubber assemblies.
  • The system places the cap assemblies onto all tubes in the rack simultaneously using a vacuum pick-and-place mechanism.

8. Vacuum Generation and Cap Pressing

• • The tube rack enters the vacuum chamber.
  • The required vacuum level is generated inside the tubes.
  • The cap pressing system inserts and seals the cap-rubber assemblies while maintaining the preset vacuum level.
  • PLC-controlled vacuum settings ensure uniform vacuum in every blood collection tube.

9. Form Tray Loading

• • Finished vacuum tubes are automatically picked from the rack.
  • The tubes are arranged and loaded into thermocol or plastic trays in the required pattern.
  • The tray loading system is compatible with both rectangular and interlaced tray designs.

10. Primary Packaging

• • Loaded trays are transferred to the L-Sealer.
  • Shrink film is wrapped and sealed around the tray to create a secure package.

11. Shrink Wrapping

• • The sealed trays pass through the shrink tunnel.
  • Controlled heating shrinks the film tightly around the tray, providing tamper-evident and protective packaging.

12. Finished Product Collection

• • Packed trays are collected for final inspection, carton packing, storage, and dispatch.