Weigh and Dispense App Group

Learn the Weigh and dispense app group's primary functions, how to use these functionalities, how the apps can work together within the group. The article also includes essential configuration steps necessary to use the apps as well as options for customization.
This app group is a part of Composable MES for Pharma App suite.
This App Group contains one pre-validated app, Station Weighing.

Physical scope

Materials are delivered on pallets from the warehouse to the dispensing area. The dispensing application is fully built on the Tulip platform. To ensure that the physical materials are accurately represented in the app, the Material Receipt application is used.

Within the dispensing app, you can measure out materials for a specific batch, placing each type of material into its own container. The app also supports dispensing from multiple batches.

Moreover, the application automatically calculates the active ingredient’s potency during the dispensing process. If compensator materials are required, the app will calculate the precise amount needed after the active ingredient has been measured, ensuring everything is accurately adjusted.

The application tracks the status of the tools being used, such as the scale and containers. It ensures that only clean and calibrated scales can be used. To assist with the daily check and documentation of the scale history, the Daily Sensitivity Test application is available to guide you through the process.

Tulip tables used in the app group

The main table used by this applications other than the Batch table is the Materials table and the Material list.

The Materials table contains the digital copy of the physical materials, while the Material list table stores the list of materials to be dispensed for a given batch, along with their theoretical quantities. If an ERP system is available, there’s no need to store this information redundantly. A connector between Tulip and the ERP system allows you to retrieve this data directly.

Other tables used in the application are GHS, Scales, Comments & Exceptions, and Containers. These tables track different artifacts used during the weighing process.
The two tables that enable the correct routing between the weighing application in this app group are the Stations and the Process Flow tables.

Applications in the Weigh and Dispense App Group

Station Weighing Application

Prevalidated application

A Station weighing application is an example of using a specific scale for the weigh and dispense process. In this process, the materials for the batch are weighed one after the other. The app supports weighing materials from multiple lots for the same material item. Different lots are measured into the same container for that item. The application prevents the use of unclean or uncalibrated scale which will force the user to use the daily check app. Additionally, it monitors the expiration dates of identified lots and blocks the use of expired materials.

During the weighing process, the app automatically calculates the required material quantity based on the identified material's potency. In cases of over-weighing, it navigates to the Raise exception for over dispensing step, where an exception is generated. Once all materials are weighed, the app moves to a summary step, providing an overview of the weighing process. After confirmation, the application returns to the Batch Tracking Application.

Weighing Template

The Weighing template is a generalized application with in-app helpers that guide users on which sections need configuration. The steps labeled as "template" offer various options for a specific stage, such as scale identification. Example triggers have been included in the template for connecting to Mettler scales via serial port, sending the correct instructions, or receiving data from the scale. However, none of these triggers will function without proper configuration, such as specifying the identifier field and the correct COM port in the trigger settings.

Daily Sensitivity Test

This application is designed to simplify daily sensitivity tests for scales and document it. It offers two options for performing the daily checks. The first option uses the scale's auto-calibration function and document it in the app, making the use of an external test weight optional. The second option allows for testing with an external test weight, provided as a static value in the app. The application automatically evaluates the test results based on the tolerance ranges for the selected test weight and the values manually entered by the user. If you want to eliminate manual input, scale integration is required.

Material Receipt

The Material Receipt is a simple application designed to digitize and create a digital twin of physical materials received from the warehouse, uploading this information into the Tulip table. This ensures that other applications have access to the necessary material data to support process execution. Once all required material parameters are entered, the application saves the data in the Materials table.

Reconciliation

During the manufacturing process, the actual physical quantity of materials may differ from the values stored digitally. The Reconciliation application helps verify and correct these discrepancies. After identifying the material, the appropriate scale is selected for use. The app ensures that only scales with the correct status are available for use. Once the material is measured, the application updates the table with the actual weight of the material.

If an ERP system is in use, these updates can be directly synced with the ERP system connected to Tulip, once the necessary connector is established.

Configuration and Customization

The apps in this app group have necessary configurations in order to deploy them into your system of apps. There are also options for customizing app components to your specific needs.

Connect with other applications

Blending

The materials weighed in the Station Weighing application are used in the Blending application.

References

• Composable MES for Pharma
• Electronic Batch Record
• Common Data Model for Pharma