PF6 Peristaltic Filling Machine Enhances Reliability for Nutrition Supplements Manufacturer
Fluids Handling

PF6 Peristaltic Filling Machine Enhances Reliability for Nutrition Supplements Manufacturer

Photo of Watson Marlow Watson Marlow Send an email 27/11/2015
251 2 minutes read
Listen to this article

Harrow-based HealthAid, one of the UK’s premier manufacturers and distributors of nutritionally balanced supplements, has replaced its ageing and increasingly unreliable filling machine with a Flexicon PF6 tabletop aseptic liquid filler from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group.

The investment has not only increased machine uptime, but boosted dispensing accuracy, a vital consideration when processing expensive aromatherapy oils.

Established in 1982, HealthAid has established a portfolio of over 500 products that offer nutritional solutions to meet the demands of modern, hectic lifestyles. The products are sold to wholesalers, health food stores and independent outlets, both in the UK and worldwide.

50 different lines

Aromatherapy oils are a major component of the company’s product offer, comprising over 50 different lines in pure essential oils, base oils, massage oils and bath oils.

However, until recently, the bottles were filled using an ageing liquid filling machine that was increasingly prone to breakdowns. To exacerbate the situation, the machine was no longer supported, meaning spares were difficult to obtain.

“Although the machine had given a long service life, it was clear that the time had arrived to invest in a replacement,” says Anant Patel, HealthAid’s General Manager. “We considered a number of benchtop fillers, but having tested the Flexicon PF6 and talked to existing users, we felt it was ideal for our application.”

HealthAid fills its aromatherapy oils into 2ml, 5ml, 10ml and 30ml bottles (along with any special sizes requested by the customer). Batches are typically small, with each product line scheduled for filling around every two months.

However, due to the presence of around 50 different product types, the machine works continuously every day. Accuracy of dispensing is vital as aromatherapy oils are a costly commodity. The Flexicon filler also ensures rapid changeover between batches with minimum product loss.

Precise requirements

“The speed of the machine is good and productivity is clearly important, but it’s not the top factor,” says Mr Patel. “Precision of dispensing is the leading consideration due to the cost of aromatherapy oils. Any under-fill and the customer will feel short-changed, and we do not want our reputation to be tarnished.”

The PF6 tabletop aseptic liquid filler provides HealthAid with both accuracy (±0.5%) and repeatability. The peristaltic filling principle delivers the widely recognised benefits of precise filling, zero cross contamination and ease of cleaning.

Contamination between aromatherapy oils is avoided at HealthAid by changing the AccusilTM platinum-cured silicone tubing (from Watson-Marlow) for each oil.

Fully programmable

Installed in February 2015, the Flexicon PF6 has been installed in the company’s dedicated oil filling room where it operates as a stand-alone asset.

Two people are trained to use the machine, which is fully programmable by an intuitive keypad and LCD display. The PF6 has a volume range from 0.2 ml to more than 250 ml, while the quick change pump head can work with seven different tube sizes.

“We are very happy with the Flexicon PF6,” concludes Mr Patel. “In the six months it has been here, it hasn’t missed a beat and has increased our uptime and productivity, as well as accuracy. Also, the people at Watson-Marlow have been very attentive to our requirements.”

For further information contact;

Heather Beale – Publicity Manager
WATSON-MARLOW FLUID TECHNOLOGY GROUP
t: 01326 370370
e: Heather.Beale@wmftg.com
w: www.wmftg.com

Watson Marlow
Premium Package

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions

About us

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) peristaltic tube and hose pumps meet requirements including: value for money; low cost of ownership; reliability and ease of maintenance to the food and beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining and many other industries.

We demonstrate how pumps deliver significant process efficiencies over the lifetime of the equipment. Whether performing flavouring addition in food processing, chemical metering in water treatment or mineral recovery, we have a solution which can cut pump downtime and reduce costs through higher accuracy metering and transfer. WMFTG has dedicated application engineers available to help customers make the right pump and tubing choice from a range providing microlitres per minute to 80 cubic metres per hour flow rates.

The only part of the pump to come into contact with the product is the tube or hose. This means there are no seals or valves that can wear or fail. Replacing the tube or hose can be performed quickly and safely. Peristaltic pump benefits include:

Total fluid containment with no seals No ancillaries Handle viscous and abrasive slurries and sludge Self-priming capability Dry running without damage to the pump In addition to their range of positive displacement pumps, Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group has added PTFE-lined chemical and industrial hoses to their range. Aflex hoses are reinforced to withstand the most severe conditions and use.

Where we supply to

Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America

Industries we supply to

Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater

  • Flexicon PF7 tabletop peristaltic liquid filling machine

  • Sterile ReNu SU Technology cartridge

  • Quantum and ReNu SU Technology cartridge - Make sterile connections in non-sterile environments

Photo of Watson Marlow Watson Marlow Send an email 27/11/2015
251 2 minutes read
Show More

    Would you like further information about this article?

    Add your details below and we'll be in touch ASAP!


    Input this code: captcha

    Back to top button
    PII logo

    Read our latest issue here

    Join 25,000 process industry specialists and subscribe to:

    • Process Industry Informer bi-monthly magazine
    • Process Industry Update weekly E-newsletter
    • And our regular Podcast and Webinars
    Yes, Sign Me Up!

    PII has a global network of suppliers ready to help...