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CHEMICALS & PHARMACEUTICALS A LOAD OF EFFICIENCY BENEFITS


conditions also posed an extended task for the application and required several visits from Minebea Intec's specialist personnel for the design planning alone.


Minebea Intec explains how its load cells are able to increase the efficiency of processes at pharmaceutical companies, illustrated by an example from a project at Pharmatec


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harmaceutical products are developed and manufactured in a highly regulated environment. In addition to high hygiene standards, medicines require a high degree of precision. The exact dosage of active ingredients, the right mixture of ingredients and correct processing are crucial to ensure the efficacy and safety of the medicines. Minebea Intec's industrial weighing and inspection solutions are able to meet these standards. The experts at the company's Design-in Support also provide planning and advice on implementing or retrofitting components such as load cells, checkweighers, indicators, cables and junction boxes.


The pharmaceutical industry has undergone constant change in recent years. Legal framework conditions that increasingly regulate the marketing of medicinal products, a health policy that increasingly focuses on cost control and intense competition present companies with ever new challenges. A direct consequence is the increasing importance of economic factors and the resulting focus on initiatives to reduce costs, improve efficiency and increase flexibility. A central aspect for improving these points is the use of weighing technology.


Weighing technology enables precise dosing by providing accurate weight measurements with high resolution. By avoiding overfilling or underfilling, pharmaceutical companies can ensure that their products achieve the desired effect. Smart weighing systems offer automated functions that reduce manual intervention and speed up the production process. By


34 FEBRUARY 2024 | PROCESS & CONTROL


integrating weighing systems into the automated production flow, lead times can be reduced and efficient mass production can be achieved.


In addition, weighing systems offer comprehensive data management, which enables traceability of the weighed materials. This allows pharmaceutical companies to improve the transparency of their processes and effectively address potential re-calls or quality issues.


When planning and selecting the optimal weighing technology for the pharmaceutical industry, it first requires a detailed analysis of the production processes and requirements. Which substances are to be weighed? Are the containers cooled or heated above room temperature? Are there external environmental influences such as air currents or vibrations? Are the load cells or wiring exposed to corrosive substances? Are there components for potentially explosive atmospheres in these areas? The proof: High-precision weighing solution for Pharmatec GmbH. This example from the pharmaceutical industry shows how successfully Minebea Intec's weighing technology works. The Syntegon subsidiary Pharmatec from Dresden, manufacturer of ultra-pure media systems and process plants, commissioned Minebea Intec with the implementation of six hopper scales in their production process for liquid pharmaceuticals. From tanks with a capacity of several tonnes, the smallest quantities were to be dosed with gram accuracy and the weighing results were to be reliably recorded for reproducibility. In addition to the process requirements, the local


Pharmatec is using Minebea Intec’s Novego weighing module, which offers an integrated variable height adjustment of up to 8 cm, thus enabling different installation heights. The most difficult part of load cell installation is mounting the load cells in the correct position and the associated protection against external forces, such as horizontal forces and the resulting lifting forces. Without secure mounting kits, the container could tip and fall. In many cases, mounting kits also provide overload protection for the load cell. Properly selected and installed mounting kits also have an impact on system accuracy. The Novego’s integrated installation kit offers 360° restraint, lift-off protection and anti-tilt protection. Other selection criteria were the weighing module's special resistance to lateral forces and its hygienic design, which is so important for the pharmaceutical industry. Minebea Intec's weighing modules are made of stainless steel and are therefore highly resistant to corrosion. The product design according to the EHEDG guidelines makes the weighing modules insensitive to dirt, water and even aggressive cleaning agents. In addition to a variety of high-quality load cells for different loads and applications, Minebea Intec also has a portfolio of checkweighers and industrial scales, indicators, controllers, transmitters and other accessories. At Pharmatec, for example, the PR 6130 cable junction box is used as an additional component, which is sealed according to the Goretex principle: moisture that occurs inside the box gets to the outside without moisture from the outside penetrating inside. A feature that is indispensable especially in temperature-sensitive environments.


Minebea Intec accompanies project enquiries from the initial consultation through the design process to installation and calibration. "We are very happy to support the selection and implementation of the ideal weighing technology for pharmaceutical manufacturing processes," said Yannick Salzmann, product manager at Minebea Intec. "...we enable manufacturers to optimise their production processes and ensure outstanding quality while meeting regulatory requirements."


Minebea Intec www.minebea-intec.com


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