Astech Projects supplies shot weight workstation to test dry powder inhalers

Published: 2-Nov-2016

Leading supplier of drug delivery testing automation, Astech Projects, has successfully delivered a Xelair 1 series automation platform to a leading Italian pharmaceutical company

The fully automated robotic workstation was developed to perform shot weight testing, including the collection and containment of doses, from DPI devices.

To achieve location accuracy for automated pick and place operations, a customised device tray was designed, incorporating storage for 10 devices with beam sensors to check alignment and cap placement.

Featuring a servomotor-driven mechanism to rotate the device ready for presentation to the test shot collection mouthpiece adaptor, the system allows operators to simultaneously use the workstation for singular or batch testing with the option of adding additional devices during operation.

Anthony Moran, Sales Director of Astech Projects, commented: 'Astech’s core Xelair technology provides the flexibility to accommodate unique devices and quantities to suit client specific requirements. With our intelligent and intuitive software suite, the system allows full traceability of samples and storage of results data.'

He continued: 'Not only was the shot weight workstation a first for our client, it’s also the first time Astech has incorporated Standardised Measurement of Particulate Airborne Concentration (SMEPAC) testing into one of our systems with a purpose-built enclosure to assess containment performance. We’re also extremely pleased with the system being accredited with OEB5 (Operator Exposure Band), the highest level achievable for human safety in the production of intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients by independent tests.'

It was particularly pleasing to get positive feedback from the client’s project team — for the quality of the workstation and the professionalism and expertise shown by Astech’s engineers,' he concluded.

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