Feature Conveyors Optimising logistics for drug research
European Conveyor Systems (ECS) has completed a contract for 34 custom-built work-benches, a powered conveyor, check-weigh scales, a vacuum-assisted lifting device and eight trolleys as part of a major investment to support research and development at GlaxoSmithKline
ike all pharmaceutical compa- nies, GSK is required to carry out a series of clinical trials to test each potential new drug before it is approved for use. These can last up to 15 years and at any one time several hundred different formulations are being evaluated by GSK in this way. Because of the number involved, the need to ensure the integrity of the trials programmes and the importance of successful outcomes for the future of the company, GSK has invested in a purpose-built warehouse, in Harlow, Essex, specifically to handle the stor- age and delivery of drugs at the inves- tigational stage of development.
L Development strategy
At present about 4,000 shipments are sent from the warehouse each month to all parts of the world in response to orders from clinicians, and this figure is projected to increase as part of the com- pany’s development strategy. Because of the purpose for which the products are being used, all orders have to be picked, packed and despatched with complete accuracy as well as max- imum efficiency, so the warehouse incorporates a number of special fea- tures and operates in accordance with strict procedures. Following a previous successful installation for GSK at Harlow, ECS was awarded the contract for the packing area.
The investigational drugs are deliv-
ered on pallets to the bulk storage sec- tion of the warehouse, from where they are taken in batches to a separate picking, packing and despatch area fitted with two high-volume vertical storage carousels. Orders are picked from the carousels and taken to work- benches where they are packed for shipment. A powered conveyor runs beside the packing benches and moves the sealed packages to the despatch area, which is operated by a third- party logistics provider. Weighing scales integrated into the despatch end of the conveyor allow operators to check the weight of each item. If it is less than 15kg, it is lifted manually on to a pallet or into a roll cage. If over 15kg, the vacuum lift unit is used. The conveyor feeding into the despatch area and on to the weigh scale has a zero-pressure accumulation feature, which allows boxes to queue without touching and be indexed for- ward one at a time for check-weighing. The structural frames consist of rigid deep aluminium profiles with smooth snag-free surfaces, and the use of high- quality drives has produced noise levels below 68dBA as well as reduc- ing energy usage. A power-save mode has also been included, which switches off the powered sections of the conveyor when they are not in use, which also lengthens component life. The conveyor is controlled by an industry-standard PLC unit that pro-
GSK’s purpose built warehouse in Harlow, Essex, handles the storage and delivery of drugs at the inves- tigational stage of development
vides completely automatic operation and has sufficient capacity to allow for future extensions. All commands transmitted are stored in the system memory in the event of a shut-down, so the conveyor re-starts from the same position as before the interruption. Text displays on the control cabinet identify individual motor malfunc- tions and emergency-stop activations.
Comfort and convenience The design and operation of the ware- house have given a high priority to the comfort and convenience of the staff, as exemplified by the check-weigh facility, the vacuum-assisted lift mech- anism and also the design of the work- benches and trolleys which are adjustable from 850mm to 1,050mm to suit the warehouse staff.
European Conveyor System T: 0115 987 4363
www.europeanconveyors.co.uk Enter 351
Heavy duty welded conveyor chain for harsh environments A
range of heavy duty conveyor chain specially designed for harsh environments is now available
in the UK from Letchworth-based FB Chain. Made in Finland, where it has been used to power conveyors working in timber and wood industries, the chain’s pins and bushes are welded to the side plate rather than simply riveted in place. According to FB Chain, the welded construction
method results in a chain with a breaking load some 30 per cent higher than the riveted alternative. FB Chain says, this construction offers greater resistance to shock loading and improved fatigue strength. The chain is suitable for the quarrying, construc-
tion and recycling industries. “The harsh environment of any quarry, recycling or construction site puts extraordinary pressure on the
Materials Handling & Logistics NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
conveying equipment,” says Peter Church, managing director of FB Chain. “Chain conveyor applications are rarely the same with the volume and type of product being conveyed varying considerably. This places many different demands on the choice of conveyor chain and the selection process should be carefully considered. “Conveyors are often at the heart of these opera- tions and any chain malfunction can result in costly downtime. Our heavy duty welded chain has proved itself throughout the Scandinavian timber industry over many years and I am sure it will be welcomed by anyone for whom reliable conveyors are essential.” FB Chain T: 01462 670844
www.conveyorchain.co.uk
Enter 352 S9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56