Lab21 improves filling accuracy

Published: 20-Jul-2010

Installs two Flexicon FF tabletop filling machines to relieve repetitive manual operations

Lab21 has installed two semi-automatic Flexicon FF series tabletop filling machines from Watson-Marlow to improve accuracy and relieve repetitive manual operations at two diagnostic product facilities in Suffolk, UK.

With five UK sites, 80 employees and annual turnover set to hit £12m this year, Lab21 is enjoying a period of growth, both organically and by acquisition. Recent acquisitions include Newmarket Laboratories and Ipswich-based Biotec Laboratories, which have allowed the company to grow its range of finished diagnostic kits and bulk reagents.

‘Previously our vial/bottle handling and filling/capping operations were predominantly manual,’ said Ian Christopher, Lab21’s operations director. ‘We knew that by automating these operations we would improve accuracy and consistency, as well as ensure the ongoing health and safety of our employees.’

The Flexicon FF30 semi-automatic tabletop filling and capping machine was initially specified to handle all of the mainstream products (blood grouping reagents) at Lab21’s Ipswich facility. However, a significant rise in demand for one particular product contained in a 10ml bottle has seen it become almost a dedicated resource.

The machine handles bottles between 12 and 50mm in diameter and is suitable for small-scale production (up to 1,200 units per hour). Product changeover can be completed in less than 10 minutes.

The FF30 has a filling range from 0.1 to 100ml with an accuracy of ±0.5%. Only the tube needs to be changed to adjust the filling range.

The success of the FF30 at Ipswich, which has already handled around five million bottles, was instrumental in Lab21’s decision to introduce a Flexicon FF20 at Newmarket facility to process various diagnostic reagents.

This filling system can be combined with any Flexicon pump to represent an inexpensive solution for small- to medium-size production of up to 2,000 units an hour. With a peristaltic pump, product changeover is simply accomplished by changing the tube.

You may also like