Joining Forces. Raising Standards.
Ackley Machine Corporation & R.W. Hartnett are coming together in order to build the future of pharmaceutical & confectionery marking equipment.
Ackley Machines
For nearly 50 years, leading pharmaceutical and confectionery brands have trusted Ackley machines to carry their image. We incorporate the latest technology into all our machines, and custom engineer our systems to meet each customer’s exact requirements. Ackley specializes in customized feeding, positioning and vision inspection systems for tablets, capsules, LCT’s and confections. Our expertise is in offset rotogravure ink printing machines and laser drilling / marking machines, with industry leading output capabilities. To complete your production line, we also offer ancillary equipment such as bulk hopper feeders, ink maintenance systems, NIR inspection and sorters. Every machine is designed and manufactured in the USA for customers that span the globe.
R.W. Hartnett Machines
Hartnett machines are the culmination of over 150 years of experience in developing state-of-the-art ink printing and laser marking / drilling equipment. In 1945, R.W. Hartnett created the first machine capable of printing on confections, and to this day both large pharmaceutical companies and small entrepreneurial start-ups continue to rely upon our pioneering approach for their technological and mechanical solutions. Our machines are user-friendly with quick-change tooling and fully optimized for clear and precise tablet and capsule marking. Hartnett’s capabilities include rotogravure printing tablets with FDA approved ink, advanced laser printing, and tablet laser drilling, in addition to equipment like bulk conveyors, mixers, and lab scale equipment.
About Our Partnership - Unified, Innovative, Strengthened Support
R.W. Hartnett and Ackley have joined forces to serve you better than ever—combining decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and global experience into one powerful partnership. Together, we deliver a comprehensive portfolio of laser drilling, laser marking, and rotogravure printing systems built for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and confectionery applications. With unified resources and expanded technical expertise, we’re strengthening support for installed equipment worldwide and engineering new solutions tailored to your exact needs. The result: more capability, more flexibility, and a team committed to raising the standard in precision product handling.
Laser Drilling
Osmotic tablets rely on tiny laser-drilled holes to deliver medication at a controlled rate. These microholes must be precisely placed to ensure patient safety. Our precision laser drilling systems handle everything from R&D to full-scale production, accurately drilling single or bi-layer tablets with optional color recognition to target the correct layer. Systems can drill single or multiple apertures, store over 25 pre-set recipes, and feature user-friendly touchscreens and quick-change parts for fast product changeovers.
Laser Marking
Our laser marking systems deliver crisp logos, dosages, and branding directly onto tablets and softgels—ensuring clear identification for safety, brand recognition, and anti-counterfeiting. Designed for flexibility, they mark one or both sides of nearly any product using CO₂ or UV lasers. Custom carriers ensure accuracy, optional vision inspection guarantees quality, and Class 1 enclosures with intuitive HMIs make operation safe and efficient.
Ink Printing
Our ink printing systems deliver crisp, high-precision logos, dosages, and branding onto tablets, capsules, and softgels of any shape or size. Using high-output rotogravure printing, they print on one or both sides in single or multiple colors with consistent accuracy. Patented positioning and optional vision inspection ensure perfect results, while user-friendly controls, easy maintenance, and flexible configurations support everything from R&D to full-scale production.
