Non-contact checkweigher proven on powder line

What is claimed to be the first non-contact check-weighing system to be used within a pharmaceutical powder filling line has been developed by BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical Systems.

What is claimed to be the first non-contact check-weighing system to be used within a pharmaceutical powder filling line has been developed by BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical Systems for a US pharmaceutical company.

Based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology, the new system enables increased quality control and efficiency ­ goals outlined in the FDA's current CE Process Analytical Technology initiative.

Traditional methods of weighing on high-speed filling lines involve samples being periodically removed from the line and weighed on precision balances, both before and after filling.

The new non-contact check weigher (NCCW) from BOC Edwards is incorporated into the filling line so that every container is checked as it continues through the production process.

Any problems with the process are identified virtually immediately and corrected via process feedback to the BOC Edwards filling equipment; greatly reducing the costs of waste product and downtime and providing greater assurance that each individual vial contains the correct amount said BOC.

NMR technology relies on the magnetic properties inherent in atomic nuclei; the signal received from the MR system being proportional to the number of hydrogen atoms contained in the sample and hence, also the mass of the sample.

Although BOC believes that the technology is novel for this pharmaceutical application, NMR has already proved to be highly accurate and reliable within other industries, for example in diagnostic medical imaging and quality measurements of samples from oil wells.

"The pharmaceutical industry is under increased pressure to improve process monitoring and control while maintaining extremely high levels of throughput.

The non-contact check weigher is a combination of proven technology and best-in-class machinery.

The result is a highly effective solution that I believe is the most significant innovation in check-weighing for over 50 years," explained Dr Paul Stewart, director of technology at BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical Systems.

He believed that the project at the US pharmaceutical company is also recognition of BOC Edwards' strength as a turnkey supplier of integrated systems to the pharmaceutical industry.

The scope of supply includes not only BOC Edwards' filling equipment and the non-contact check weigher but also the procurement, integration and installation management of fully isolated vial inspection, washing and capping equipment from third party suppliers.

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