Antares Vision (antaresvision.com), a global leader in pharmaceutical inspection and track and trace turnkey solutions, introduces the Matrix Station semiautomatic carton aggregation system. Matrix Station utilizes a top view of Data Matrix symbologies to aggregate cartons, including multilayer pack patterns, to a specific shipping case and print a unique shipping label.

Semiautomatic operation gives warehouse and distribution operations the ability to cost effectively go beyond the limitations in throughput of manual loading and aggregation. Matrix Station is far less expensive yet equal in quality to fully-automated systems, thus providing an excellent middle ground track and trace solution.
The top-view reading window of the Matrix Station is 19.6 inches (500 mm) long by 11.8 inches (300 mm) wide. The camera automatically adjusts for reading additional layers for faster throughput. Matrix Station alerts operators to incorrect or already picked barcodes and other faults to help ensure a higher quality process. As soon as the cartons are aggregated and verified correct, Matrix Station prints a shipping label. An intuitive touch screen interface allows personnel to quickly change product and shipping information to accommodate customer orders. 

The Matrix Station is seamlessly integrated into a serialization packaging line through the Antares Vision MTS-Line manager software, which, in turn, provides easy integration with ERP, WMS, MES, and EPCIS server systems.