Upgraded Pharmaceutical Metal Detector Offers Product Integrity and Different Elevation Feeds

Phil Black - PII Editor 13/06/2014

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Lock Inspection Systems (part of the Loma Group) has further refined its flagship INSIGHT Pharmaceutical Metal Detector. Keeping pace with pharmaceutical industry demands, this advanced system, unveiled at interpack 2014, is designed to help manufacturers maintain product integrity, whilst also accommodating different elevations of tablet press out-feeds.

Highly acclaimed by industry experts, the improved INSIGHT PH Metal Detector has enhanced stability, which counteracts out any surrounding noise pollution that can cause false contaminant readings and increase product wastage. Hygienic according to FDA standards, the frame is now height adjustable and has a new clamping sleeve, making it much easier and faster for operators to move the metal detector between production lines.

Developed with today’s highly regulated pharmaceutical production plants in mind, this new INSIGHT PH system has been extensively tested by some of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, says Hitesh Hirani, Technical Director at Lock. “The INSIGHT PH is proven to have significantly better performance with detection as good as 0.22 Fe, 0.28 NFe and 0.37 SST levels.”

Pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and anti-virals must be manufactured and packaged with the utmost caution and attention to detail. Strict quality and safety standards, such as the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), means inspection accuracy is now mandatory. INSIGHT PH provides users with fully documented IQ (Installation Qualification), OQ (Operational Qualification), and PQ (Performance Qualification) validations. This gives manufacturers all of the documented evidence needed to verify that processes and procedures meet FDA, GAMP and GMP specifications.

Easy to set up and move around
Knowing that adaptability is paramount in today’s pharmaceutical environments, Lock has made it easier and quicker to manoeuvre the metal detection system between production lines. The new frame fits a wide-range of tablet press output heights. Because height, width and angle of tilt can be adjusted easily, units are typically up and running within a matter of minutes.

Fully compliant with CFR parts 210 and 211, its streamline design is another popular feature. This makes the INSIGHT PH faster to wash down and sterilise between product changeovers, which has long been a sabotage of operational efficiency.

Also new is the hygienic two-piece product chute made of white ABS plastic, with a clear acrylic upper piece for easy viewing of product during the inspection process. For operator safety, there’s an integrated aperture location stop.

For easy installation, the system is equipped with Lock’s unique Direct Digital Signal (DDS). Providing a graphical representation of what is happening during the metal detection process, it reduces set up time considerably and also helps to minimise programming errors. For quick installation, there are 200 product pre-sets and permanent memory stores up to 8,000 data events, even during a power interruption or disconnect. “At a throughput of 30,000 tablets or capsules per minute, the robust nature of the software is a critical control point for guaranteeing detection and rejection of metal fragments,” adds Hitesh.