Process and packaging lines offer excellence through innovation

Romaco launched a number of products at Achema, designed to address the challenges faced by the pharmaceutical sector

Laetus IVT: secure monitoring of market-specific labels

Following the introduction of new legislation in November last year, it has become compulsory to use a special vignette label for pharmaceutical products supplied to the Italian and other markets. The scheme - whose objective is to reduce fraud - poses various challenges for manufacturers, including the requirement to read consecutively-numbered labels. A collaboration between Laetus and Italian security printer and labelling machine manufacturer Arca has produced a system to meet the new requirements without compromising productivity.

Named IVT (international vignette tracking), the system consists of proven components such as Laetus code cameras, laser scanners and the commander 15 industrial computer, combined with the Arcalog software package. Its particular appeal lies in its modular design, comprising sections relevant to each stage of the packaging operation. The design also allows flexibility for future upgrades.

The Italian government's initiative was prompted by a need to meet new obligations in the area of pharmacovigilance imposed by the EU. Other member states using the vignette system for reimbursement are currently considering the options for compliance.

The Roto Cube features impressive core processing technologies combined with excellent ergonomics, high GMP compliance and a compact footprint. The machine represents an all-in-one granulation solution, with previously peripheral functions - such as granule calibration - incorporated within the production unit. Connections such as the vacuum line are also now integrated, to form a remarkably compact complete package.

The latest developments in electronic technology and sensors are used throughout. As with other systems in the Roto range, the Roto Cube is a 'one-bowl' processor, making it ideal for high containment applications. The machine offers superb ergonomics, with the processing bowl mounted on a novel hoist system, so that its height can be varied to suit the task at hand. During processing, for example, a low level ensures easy access to the sight glass for a quick visual check of progress. When the product is ready for discharge, the bowl can be raised to give perfect matching of the discharge valve to the inlet on an IBC. And when maintenance is required, the bowl can be raised or lowered so that all areas can be accessed. This feature means that there is no longer any need for either a working platform or an access pit.

The machine is designed for through-wall installation, with only the bowl itself and the hoist located within the clean area, thus keeping the amount of valuable cleanroom space required to the absolute minimum. Further, the lid opens laterally (hinged left or right), so that no allowance for clearance is necessary; its design also eliminates dead areas for improved product quality and yield, as well as simplified cleaning.

Dinex vacuum processing plant

Romaco Frymakoruma was showing a new high-end vacuum processing unit for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food sectors. Appropriate for semi-solid products such as suspensions, emulsions and gels, the Dinex features a number of innovations.

It is a one-step processing system offering advantages such as short batch times, high containment and a compact footprint. Of particular interest is a newly-designed homogeniser. This operates on the proven rotor-stator system but with the added benefit of axial adjustment of the stator. The ability to adjust the shear force exerted on the product in this way gives optimum flexibility in matching the process to the requirements of the product. When the stator is placed in the shearing zone, the machine produces perfect dispersing with good pumping characteristics. When the stator is placed outside the dispersing zone, the machine offers excellent pumping characteristics at a lower shear force, process parameters which are ideal for sensitive products.

The agitation system inside the main vessel is also novel. It incorporates a helical ribbon agitator, which allows the direction of product flow against the vessel walls to be varied upwards or downwards, depending on the direction of rotation. Thus the user is able to vary the parameters of the mixing process to maximise product quality. The agitator also includes conical mixing nozzles, which produce a horizontal and vertical macro mixing action. These, combined with the action of the helix, give optimum mixing - even for the most viscous products - with short batch times and rapid heating and cooling, where a double-jacketed vessel is supplied for this purpose.

Noack 623 multi-stroke blister machine

Romaco Noack launched an important addition to its 623 range of platen-sealing blister packers - the Noack 623 MS borrows technology from its rotary-sealing counterpart, the Noack 900, to give increased throughput of up to 400 or even 600 blisters per minute.

The working principles are the same as the highly popular standard 623, with the exception of the die-cutting station, which now features a multi-stroke execution. The number of forming cycles per minute remains at 70 (except PP mono blisters = 50) but the die-cutting cycles have increased from 70 to a maximum of 200 per minute. The 230mm web width means that the standard layout for blisters is one or two across the web, with blister exit at 90 degrees to the web direction.