Originally Published PMPN November
2004
Product Update
High-Speed Filling Equipment
Intermittent and
continuous-motion machines offer precision filling of tubes, capsules, and bottles.
RT60
A squeeze-tube filler uses servo technology as a standard drive and control package. According to the company, this technology improves flexibility, reliability, and speeds at key areas for production levels up to 400 tubes per minute. The machine provides push-button control and setup recall for filling adjustments and ensures a consistent and accurate production system. The company also offers its Dial Loader, which delivers accurate tube control and dial loading. The design minimizes changeover due to reduction in change parts. ProSys, Webb City, MO; 800/231-3455; www.prosysfill.com.
FLX 1200
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A company introduces new volumetric rotary gear-pump modules for its liquid filler. The stainless-steel FLX 1200 features a modular design and offers a variety of mobile filling pump modules on caster wheels that can be quickly disconnected and changed over to provide production flexibility. The volumetric rotary gear-pump modules operate at up to 14 cycles per minute and achieve a fill accuracy of ± 0.5%. Three different pump sizes are available to handle up to 6, 12, and 24 L per minute, per pump. The pump modules are available in 8-pump and 12-pump configurations to handle up to 112 cpm and 168 cpm respectively. These new gear-pump modules are suitable for free-flowing liquid and semiliquid products and containers ranging in size from 10 ml to 2 L. NJM/CLI, Lebanon, NH; 800/432-2990; www.njmcli.com.
Auger Filler
A company has released a new family of rotary indexing auger fillers. The i-Series
has been designed to provide high fill accuracy and minimum maintenance for
moderate-speed applications up to 100 products per minute. The series features
a gear base with servomotor drive, a direct-infeed indexing starwheel turret,
the company’s servo- driven auger fillers with touch screen control, an
advanced seal module, and its product-settling systems. The use of a gear-driven
base virtually eliminates backlash and significantly reduces maintenance associated
with chain-driven bases. The direct-infeed indexing starwheel turret provides
an economic and reliable container-control system. All of the company’s
auger filling systems feature self-centering tooling, resulting in faster changeovers
and cleaning times, stainless-steel product contact parts, and aluminum structural
parts for durability. Nalbach Engineering Company, Inc., Countryside,
IL; 708/579-9100; www.nalbach.com.
Planeta
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A continuous-motion capsule filler has an output of up to 100,000 capsules per hour. The machine has a modular design that allows for different dosing units to be fitted at the same time. This permits filling of powders, pellets, microtablets, tablets, liquids, or herbal products in either single or multiple doses and in all kinds of combinations. The Planeta has a built-in NETT weight control system for 100% verification of fill weights. Designed for ease of operation, it is equipped with an onboard industrial PC with a color monitor, Windows NT, and a user-friendly interface to control machine functions. MG America, Fairfield, NJ; 973/808-8185; www.mgamerica.com.
Peristaltic Filling Systems
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A new design in peristaltic pumps provides a complete range of filling systems for high-accuracy precision filling and fast, efficient cleanup validation. The Multi Filling System offers a seamless process in which the sterile product comes into contact with only the medical-grade silicone tubing and filling needle. When the process is completed, the tubing can be easily cleaned or treated as a disposable to eliminate contamination and facilitate the cleanup validation process. The systems range from stand-alone units to filling systems with up to 16 drives and filling needles controlled by a single master control. Filling volumes are from 0.1 ml to more than 1 L. Flexicon America Inc., Burlington, VT; 802/657-3232; www.flexiconamerica.com.
Liquid and Powder Fillers
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A full-service packaging machinery supplier and integrator of machinery for liquids, creams, and powder filling also offers a complete line of cartoners, bundlewrappers, casepackers, and palletizers. The company offers a product range from benchtop liquid and powder filling systems to complete and fully integrated automatic filling systems with accompanying closure systems. ESS Packaging Machinery Inc., Roseto, PA; 610/588-8579; www.esspack.com.
Multiplex
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A dispensing system provides controlled, multiple-channel precision liquid dispensing for applications where simultaneous delivery of fluid is desired. The features and benefits of the Multiplex include multiple fluid channels driven by a single motor, a pulse-free linear dispense profile, independent channel enable/disable, digital programming for dispense volume and rate, adjustable 40,000:1 resolution, bidirectional flow, ceramic piston/cylinder design, self-printing, universal (industry-standard) fluid fittings, chemically inert wetted components, and interchangeable pump modules for quick changeover. Inaccuracy is <0.5% above 5% of full stroke and imprecision is <0.1% above 5% of full stroke. All parameters are digitally selected through an RS-232 computer signal or a touch screen. Ivek Corp., North Springfield, VA; 800/356-4746; www.ivek.com.
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