Siemens announced today that Single Use Support, a provider of innovative single-use technologies for fluid and cold chain management products for the pharmaceutical industry, has adopted Siemens Xcelerator to reduce lead times for designing, developing and automating systems and consumables for filling, freezing, storing and transporting sensitive liquids such as vaccines.
Based in Austria and the USA, Single Use Support manufactures consumables and systems for filling and dispensing liquid medicines and vaccines, as well as controlled freezing, storing and transporting them at temperatures well below freezing. Its products reliably bridge the gap between production and use of these sensitive pharmaceutical substances, helping to ensure they arrive safely and provide easy handling at both ends of the supply chain.
Single Use Support uses Designcenter™ software and Teamcenter® software, both part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software. Designcenter helps Single Use Support create precise, scalable designs that meet the demanding requirements of the life sciences and biopharma industry. From machinery to transport racks, applications range from designing single-use assemblies, such as 2D bags and transfer manifolds, to complex equipment and machines for filling and freezing drug substances.
Markus Fürhapter, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Single Use Support (Image credit: Single Use Support)
“Designcenter is a game changer for us. Its flexibility and scalability allow us to adapt quickly to industry needs while ensuring our designs are accurate,” says Markus Fürhapter, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Single Use Support. “Designcenter offers the perfect balance of functionality and usability, allowing us to create innovative solutions efficiently. Its intuitive interface and ability to handle medium-complexity designs have proven invaluable for both seasoned engineers and newcomers.”
Complex supply chain drives need for PLM
The components for freezing systems, including control equipment, are manufactured by partner companies. The design, programming and final assembly of the Siemens control systems and the design of the systems are carried out entirely in-house. The strong growth led the company to adopt a professional product lifecycle management (PLM) system. After intensive research, including reference visits to other companies, Single Use Support chose Siemens’ Teamcenter for PLM, supported by Siemens’ sales partner, ACAM.
Single Use Support has been using Designcenter to design the consumables as well as systems for their pharmaceutical logistics solutions since the company was founded. (Image credit: Single Use Support)
“Using Teamcenter for change management enormously simplifies identifying affected components and systems for documenting changes. This makes it very easy to recognize not only how something is defined, but also why,” says Fürhapter. “With Designcenter and Teamcenter, we completely digitalized our development and cut project times by up to 15 percent. Twenty-five percent shorter design and customization cycles allow us to respond immediately to customers’ demands, delivering innovative and precise solutions.”
“Pharma companies are under pressure to bring therapies to patients faster while navigating unprecedented complexity in manufacturing and supply chains. Single Use Support shows how a digital-first approach can turn this pressure into a competitive advantage,” said Christopher Unkauf, country manager Austria and Switzerland and vice president DACH strategic markets, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “By using Siemens Xcelerator, they have created a scalable, fully traceable development environment that accelerates delivery and raises quality standards across the industry. We are proud to support their growth and the impact they are making on critical therapies worldwide.”
Delivering robust automation with Siemens automation
Single Use Support also uses the Siemens’ automation hardware and software portfolio to fulfill the precise automation required in its technologies. The central SIMATIC ET 200SP Open Controller assembly from Siemens combines the function of a PC-based controller with visualization, PC applications and central inputs and outputs. The soft PLC works completely independently of the operating system and unites the benefits of SIMATIC controllers with the advantages of PC-based solutions without impacting the high level of reliability and system availability these controllers are known for.
Single Use Support has been using Designcenter to design the consumables as well as systems for their pharmaceutical logistics solutions since the company was founded. (Image credit: Single Use Support)
To learn more about how Siemens is helping Single Use Support to reduce its lead times and bring greater innovation to the pharmaceutical industry, read the full case study: https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/case-study-single-use-support
