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Pharmaceutical
system. This pneumatic lock gives an even and high clamping
force across all sealing faces and therefore guards against
powder leakage more effectively than traditional band clamps or
over-centre toggle clamps.
The component parts are placed into the base and located by
twisting and locking the lid without the need for tools. The
airclamp is then inflated to secure and seal the unit during
operation. Also, to assist with FDA process approval, this
pneumatic clamping system can be validated as it provides a
repeatable and measurable seal.
This new generation of sieve can be fitted neatly into any part
of a production process, providing considerable screening
capacity with little headroom. Its innovative design means that
The latest generation of
the screener is less than half the height of a traditional sieving
sieve utilises a validatable
machine. It is ideal for check screening incoming ingredients on
pneumatic clamping system the primary side right through to finished powders.
However, when an electrical component is continuously in
contact with powder and dust during sieving there is a further
hazard of an explosion. The ultrasonic probe of the deblinding
system described earlier needs to be made safe as it is placed
inside the sieve and therefore in an area often categorised as
Zone 20. This has been addressed by some manufacturers of
this equipment by making the transducer and cable totally
enclosed to eliminate the possibility of any explosion. The
equipment has to go through rigorous testing procedures and
approved by certified bodies. Only then can it be deemed to
meet essential health and safety requirements.
This, in turn, allows difficult to sieve powders to be screened
effectively and safely and gives the user complete peace of mind.
Improvements in containment
Employers have been using occupational exposure limits (OELs)
for many years to safeguard their employees health. They are
ABOVE: This pneumatic lock gives an even and high clamping force
used to determine the adequacy of the control measures and across all sealing faces
indicate if a problem ever occurs. This has forced manufacturers
of process equipment to design machines which contain dust Conclusion
and fumes much more effectively so that these OELs can be It is obvious that sieves or screeners continue to have a large
met. In the case of sieving equipment this is especially part to play in the safe production of pharmaceutical products.
important as the very action of a sieve vibrating causes dust to However, it is important that companies using this equipment
be generated. choose it carefully to comply with the new ATEX legislation and
Traditionally sieves have used either over-centre toggle clamps to safeguard the health and safety of their operators.
or circular band clamps to secure the component parts together. For more information please contact Russell Finex on
These are not ideal mechanisms for ensuring dust tight tel: + 44 (0) 208 818 2000 or email: enquiries@russellfinex.com
operation as they rely on operators to tighten them correctly to
ensure an adequate seal.
The latest generation of sieve addresses this clamping issue
and is the biggest advance in pharmaceutical sieving technology
for ten years. It utilises a validatable pneumatic clamping system
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giving large improvements in product containment and operator
health and safety. The unit also complies with the new ATEX
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legislation in Europe.
The GMP design of the sieve is based on clean lines which
They can see it online at
makes sanitation easier and performance greater. Clean down
times are reduced as the sieve is simple to dis-assemble in
seconds without the need for tools. Crevice free and smooth
surfaces make the product contact parts very easy to clean and
they are fully washable. www.solidsandbulk.co.uk
The unit is clamped together with a revolutionary airlock
www.solidsandbulk.co.uk August 2007 • Solids & Bulk Handling 21
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