Product category:
Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment
News Release from: Mettler Toledo | Subject: Process weighing equipment
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 05 October 2004
AstraZeneca weighs up the benefits of
reliability
AstraZeneca has upgraded the weighing equipment at its high-volume tablet production facilities in Macclesfield.
AstraZeneca, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, manufactures and develops new and effective prescription medicines It concentrates on important areas of medical need including cancer, cardiovascular, central nervous system, infection, pain control and respiratory
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 19 Oct 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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The site in Macclesfield, Cheshire is a major manufacturing facility and continues to invest in state-of-the-art process research and production facilities.
This enables products to be safely and consistently manufactured, converted in to the most suitable form, then tested and packed in strict accordance with regulatory requirements.
The products are then despatched to customers throughout the UK and to over 100 export markets.
The Macclesfield site has seen a programme of continuous investment since it was established in the 1960s and now has over 3000 employees.
It is the second largest manufacturing and supply site in AstraZeneca.
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It is also a quality assurance lead site, making it responsible for the quality control and assurance of a range of products.
The site has facilities for all three stages of pharmaceutical manufacture - bulk drug manufacture, formulation and packing.
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One of Macclesfield's high volume tablet production facilities was experiencing considerable downtime when changing the sealed membrane on the original platform scales plus data records were not available.
Following a site visit a new weighing system - consisting of a DN1500 platform scale, ID7 weighing terminal and GA46 printer - was recommended as a replacement for the older equipment.
AstraZeneca chose Mettler Toledo, and a successful relationship has been developed between the two companies.
Mettler Toledo is now its preferred supplier and its equipment is now standard on site.
Graham Patten, Project Engineer, explains the company's decision.
"The TPF (tablet processing facility) project which I have been involved in was an upgrade".
"One of the prerequisites was to provide a further 15 years operation, and Mettler Toledo could offer this support as a supplier".
"The processing plant already uses DN1500 scales and the ID7s are an upgrade to the 8510 display".
"Numerous ID7s have been installed throughout two new processing facilities built in the last three years and the feedback I received was that they provided a good display and the additional functionality needed to link to other process equipment - ie Ethernet cards".
The equipment is being used to weigh various ingredients for drug manufacture explains Patten: "The scales are used throughout the TPF during the dispensing of raw materials in addition to weighing the product at various stages of the manufacturing process".
"The weights are then recorded - essential for the reconciliation of product during the process".
The ID7 terminal offers a rugged stainless-steel design and IP68 protection against dust and water ingress - ideal for AstraZeneca.
The terminal, available in bench, wall or panel mount, can be connected to up to three scales, two of which can be an analogue weighing platform.
A wide variety of applications are possible using integral software "Pacs" which extend the basic weighing functions into areas such as counting, formulation, dispensing, totalling or checkweighing.
Data can be entered via the terminal, a plug-in alphanumeric keyboard or by using a barcode scanner.
As part of the weighing system the company purchased GA46 printers.
GA46 printers have been installed where systems are not hooked up to Scada type systems to record and print weight data.
They are used to provide printed evidence of quality critical stages during the manufacturing process and subsequently various batches and applied to paper batch sheets.
The GA46 is a fast thermal printer with integrated RS232 data interface for connection to all ID-operating terminals.
The stainless-steel housing enables fast and thorough cleaning and with a paper feed of up to 70mm/s it guarantees smooth data flow.
The installation has provided an audit trail via the GA46 printer as well as meeting hygiene requirements - it now takes only half an hour to clean the area instead of a few hours.
It has also reduced equipment downtime and the engineers have to spend less time on calibration.
Patten adds: "We have gained additional functionality for the ID7s which will be utilised as processes become more complex".
"The ID7s are set in new vinyl walls (part of the upgrade) and portray a professional environment as well as an appealing place to work".
In addition, he says: "It provides us with the assurances that a quality product is being used for quality critical manufacturing and is completely supported".
"We also have a SLA set up that covers all our tablet processing facilities".
AstraZeneca has invested in a Gold+ TotalCare 21 service package on this particular equipment.
TotalCare 21provides a complete range of after-sales service agreement options designed to complement existing quality systems.
Tracey Johnson, Marketing and Customer Development - Service explains: "AstraZeneca's Gold+ service agreement has been specifically designed to meet its individual requirements".
"Cover includes all associated call-out costs within the annual fee, providing AstraZeneca with predictable labour and travel costs".
"Call-out fees resulting from misuse and/or damage are also included".
"We respond to site within a guaranteed eight working hour timeframe - ensuring limited interruption to the production process".
"As well as supporting the above equipment, AstraZeneca has a range of TotalCare 21 service agreements covering both Mettler Toledo and other manufacturers' equipment across its Macclesfield site", concludes Johnson. Request a free brochure from Mettler Toledo ...
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