Optical Inspection System inspects 1,000,000 tablets/hr.

Press Release Summary:




With integrated dust abatement feature and KeyWare® software for tablets, Optyx®SG/P automatically inspects coated and uncoated tablets to remove defects and foreign tablets from production stream. System inspects tablets 5 mm and larger, verifying product color, size, and shape. It also removes broken tablets, stained tablets, and tablets with missing coating. FDA 21 CFR part 11 compliant, OptyxSG/P includes secure and encrypted logs, secure passcode management, and Freeze on Reject feature.



Original Press Release:



Symetix Introduces Optyx®SG/P for Tablets



December 2, 2008 - Symetix introduces the Optyx®SG/P optical inspection system designed specifically for tablets. With a new, integrated dust abatement feature and new KeyWare® application software for tablets, OptyxSG/P automatically inspects coated and uncoated tablets at high production speeds to remove defects and foreign tablets (rogues) from the product stream. Automating tablet inspection with OptyxSG/P assures the highest product quality while reducing labor costs.

Like the OptyxSG/P for softgels introduced in 2007, the new OptyxSG/P for tablets verifies product color, size and shape to automatically identify and remove products that do not conform to specifications. Inspecting tablets 5mm and larger at speeds up to 1,000,000 tablets per hour, the ultra-high resolution OptyxSG/P detects the smallest color and shape defects to guarantee removal of 100 percent of foreign tablets, while also removing broken tablets, stained tablets and tablets with missing coating if the coating is a different color than the underlying tablet.

Historically, most manufacturers and contract packers handling tablets have had to rely on subjective and inconsistent manual inspection because until now, automated inspection systems were either crude (in the case of mechanical size graders) or expensive, slow and difficult to changeover (in the case of single-file optical inspection systems). Compared to manual inspection, OptyxSG/P offers a payback as rapid as one year based on labor savings alone. Improvements in production efficiency and product yield further speed payback.

OptyxSG/P can be cleared and cleaned and set-up to handle the next product run in less than 30 minutes. With product settings stored in memory for quick and easy recall via the icon-based graphical user interface (GUI), OptyxSG/P reduces operator training and simplifies optimum operation. The GUI can reside locally on the system and can be accessed remotely via network or Internet.

Ideal for OTC and regulated tablets and softgels, OptyxSG/P is FDA 21 CFR part 11 compliant with secure and encrypted logs, secure passcode management, a Freeze on Reject (FOR) feature, parameter histograms, and guided changeover. A number of self-aware features include Eject Function Confirmation (EFC) and intelligent sensing for belt speed, belt tracking, proper change parts, and failure of any system lamp or ejector valve.

OptyxSG/P uses proprietary color cameras to view product - four primary inspection cameras are located both above and below the product stream.
Symetix image processing technology quickly analyzes the product images, comparing each object to previously defined accept/reject standards. When a defective product or rouge is identified, the system activates the close-coupled high-speed ejector system to remove it from the acceptable product stream.

OptyxSG/P features a parallel processor that enables operators to monitor images of every object of interest acquired by OptyxSG/P, such as rogue objects failing inspection. When a rogue is encountered, the inspection system can stop the product flow, and all the objects that are classified as rogues are presented to the operator and stored in the batch log file. This functionality guarantees rogues are eliminated from the product stream.

To maximize product quality, Symetix suggests integrating the Impulse/P(TM) upstream of OptyxSG/P. Impulse/P is a high volume size grader that removes coating flakes, small tablet fragments and dust prior to the OptyxSG/P, which enables the OptyxSG/P to best achieve its primary function of removing defects and foreign tablets.

Designed to meet FDA requirements and comply with GAMP 4 guidelines, OptyxSG/P benefits from the company's 10-year history of supplying FDA-validated inspection systems to the pharmaceutical industry. Symetix offers complete engineering services and validation packages.

About Symetix

Symetix is the pharmaceutical business unit of Key Technology. With 60 years of experience in the food, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries, Key is a leading manufacturer of best-in-class process automation systems.

Symetix offers worldwide sales representation and maintains demonstration and testing facilities at Key's headquarters and manufacturing divisions in Walla Walla, Washington, USA, and at Key Technology BV in Beusichem, the Netherlands. Key's common stock trades on the Global Market tier of The NASDAQ Stock MarketSM under the symbol: KTEC.

Reader Inquiries:

Jon Donovan

Symetix

150 Avery Street

Walla Walla, WA 99362 USA

Tel: 509.522.3524

Fax: 509.522.3361

jdonovan@symetix.com

www.symetix.com

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