NEWSLETTER
ISSUE
Sep to Dec, 2017 Volume 4
Automatic Loading and Unloading in Terminal Sterilizers
In the era where safety has become a norm and manual work can get tedious and expensive, Pharmalab brings you the new Automatic Loading and Unloading system. This system is specifically designed for terminal sterilizers where the carriages and trolleys are loaded with large and heavy loads. Typically, super-heated water spray sterilizer chambers are long (minimum 20 feet) where moving the entire load into the sterilizer and pulling the last carriage out becomes cumbersome and painful job. This is more so for operator who uses conventional puller bar arrangement, particularly under extreme temperature conditions. Other areas of concern for end user are operator safety and increased human intervention. Conventional systems are available in the market today but they come with inherent problem of maintenance due to design. The components of this system are installed partially inside the sterilizer chamber and partially outside. To effectively integrate a complete system, it necessitates provision of sealing arrangement like mechanical seal or gland packing. These sealing arrangements comes with parts like bearings, oil seal and other mechanical components which are the major source of maintenance.
To give a comprehensive solution of loading & unloading system, Pharmalab has indigenously developed an automated system which is customizable to the desired size for super-heated water spray and ventilator sterilizer.
Primarily, Pharmalab automatic loading and unloading system is designed to have all its components outside the sterilizer chamber. This arrangement reduces the maintenance. The construction consists of rigid structure made in SS304 and operated with rod-less pneumatic cylinder which minimizes the overall length. Operation is controlled with dedicated control panel having minimum components which functions with pneumatically operated solenoid controls. The panel is placed ergonomically for operator convenience and effective operation. Carriages are pushed inside the chamber sequentially by the pneumatic cylinder mechanism. These carriages then automatically get interconnected in a bogie type arrangement inside the sterilizer chamber. This guarantees no collision or override of the carriages. After sterilization, the train of carriages are pulled out together up to the sterilizer door. From there, individual carriages are transferred on to the track. This complete operation including attaching and detaching the carriage is automated to minimize operator intervention, manpower requirement and increased operator safety. Pharmalab offers this system with the equipment and as an additional feature to the existing system at customer site. This solution is available for both, i.e. Floor mounting and pit mounting.
For further queries, please contact us at
pharmalab@pharmalab.com
Motorized Hinged Door with In-built Locking system for Steam Sterilizer
Integrity and Ease of operation – Play an important role in a good pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. This feature affect’s factors like production quality and productivity of operation. In a sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, Steam Sterilizer is one of the most important equipment. Therefore, productivity of the sterilizer and quality of the output is important. Normally, in a manufacturing facility with space constraint, sterilizer with a hinged door is a preferred option. Conventionally, this hinged door sterilizers come with shooting bolts arrangement, operated with a pneumatically actuated cylinder. Over a period of usage, the weld joint of locking plate (used to lock shooting bolts) are found to be weakened. Secondly, this design requires a larger foot print for the same volumetric capacity of the sterilizer. Aesthetically, the shooting bolts design door is less appealing and has issues on acceptability, especially in sterile area, as this door comes with cavities and corners, accumulating dust and bacteria. This becomes difficult to clean and validate.
At Pharmalab, we always believe in working closely with our customer and based on the customer feedback, we decided to upgrade sterilizer door operation. The aim was to make the door operation more easy and sophisticated, in addition to overcome the above-mentioned concerns. Our R & D team worked relentlessly on the same and their efforts realized with emergence of motorized Hinged Door with the in-built locking arrangement.
Motorized Hinged door is designed to yield a comprehensive solution on ease of operation, rigid locking, and aesthetics with a cGMP approach. In addition, this design offers gasket safety, reliability of door operation, and reduces the maintenance cost. The door operation is sophisticated with automatic locking and unlocking arrangement, which is actuated with a simple push of a button, once placed in the closed position. The assembly is equipped with sensors and interlocking switches to ensure safe closing & locking of the door.
