Deduster detaches dust particles from tablets and capsules.
Press Release Summary:
Helping pharmaceutical packagers meet FDA cleaning requirements, vito Deduster features cleaning chamber based on helicoidally shaped brush with conductive hairs and core. Vertical movement and gentle brush scuffing action liberate attached dust particles from product. Electrically charged ion airflow neutralizes dust particles, preventing them from sticking to other products. Deduster discharges broken tablets into vacuum exhaust as complete tablets exit through top.
Original Press Release:
New Deduster Enhances Tablet-Capsule Dust Particle Removal With Ions
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Feb. 2 -- AutoPak Engineering Corporation announced the introduction of the newly developed vito, tablet/capsule dust removal equipment that uses electrically charged ions to help detach dust particles from tablets/capsules after their forming process.
"We use an air-assisted static eliminator that employs a gentle airflow to deliver a balanced level of positive and negative ions to all tablet/capsule surfaces," explained Ignacio Munoz-Guerra, General Director for AutoPak Engineering Corporation. "In addition to preventing dust particles from clinging to tablet surfaces, the air flow blows the neutralized dust to the dust collecting system, leaving the product clean and dust free."
The vito cleaning chamber is based on a helicoidally shaped brush using conductive hairs and core (all FDA direct contact approved materials). vito uses vertical movement and a gentle brush scuffing action to liberate the attached dust particles from the product. Then, the induced electrically charged ion airflow neutralizes the dust particles, preventing them from sticking to other products or to the brush itself. The externally attached vacuum system removes the dust particles from the vito cleaning chamber.
vito is designed to help pharmaceutical packagers meet strict FDA cleaning requirements. It features a completely separate and sealed power transmission chamber. The deduster column does not have any crevices at any point or on its base: it is flush with the seals. Tri-clamp joints are used in all parts that must be disassembled for cleaning, and mirror finish stainless steel is used in the deduster cleaning chamber.
As in all AutoPak designs, ergonomic considerations have top priority: "We believe that the efficiency of a process is directly proportional to operator comfort, physically and emotionally. Both areas enhance the manual labor process: physically by making it easier and emotionally for the satisfaction of a well done job," added Munoz-Guerra. The deduster column is easily assembled and disassembled without the need for hand tools; all components weigh less than 20 lbs; the operator control panel is at an ergonomic height; easy movement is enhanced by swivel total-break casters, and operation produces minimal noise.
vito's flexibility includes the choice of dedicated or non-dedicated brushes. With the vito Brush Flow Cleaner, the brushes can be cleaned fast and thoroughly for use with different products. Following AutoPak's philosophy of lowering operational costs in all its products, the vito brushes do not have to be dedicated to particular products.
Other distinctive qualities of vito are its broken tablet separation capability and its communication signals. Without the use of any external components, vito discharges broken tablets into the vacuum exhaust as complete tablets exit through the top. AutoPak has also added two electrical dry contacts on the unit: one to start the deduster upon an external signal (tablet press, etc.), another to signal that the unit is in operation (alarms, control feedback, etc.).
vito incorporates the capability to include a metal detector in its footprint. This provides a compact unit for your dedusting and metal detection process.
To round out the unit, AutoPak includes a complete validation package at no additional cost.
vito is another product developed by the Research and Development Department of AutoPak Engineering Corporation, focused on material handling of pharmaceutical products.
About AutoPak
AutoPak Engineering Corporation manufactures sanitary stainless steel conveyors and ancillary equipment and performs integration services for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. Its entire range of automation solutions ensures flexibility, consistency and quality for the conveying of small to medium-sized products. With over 15 years of engineering expertise, AutoPak's solutions are designed to meet specific customer requirements. AutoPak also troubleshoots and trains customers in the proper use and maintenance of its products.
For more information, please visit AutoPak's web site: www.autopak.com/ .
CONTACT: Ignacio Munoz-Guerra, AutoPak Engineering Corporation, +1-787-723-8036, ext. 239, or ignacio.munoz@autopak.com
