Bosch Packaging Technology is presenting a new exterior washing machine, the RAN 3080, for vials, ampoules and cartridges at next month's show.
The machine removes product residue and other contamination from filled and closed glass containers using a newly developed, efficient high-pressure cleaning process. The transport system, which has also been developed by Bosch, grips the containers at the closure, ensuring effective cleaning of virtually the entire container surface.
Tobias Göttler, Product Manager at Bosch Packaging Technology, said: 'The new RAN 3080 enables the elimination of process-related contamination, which could harm recipients’ and patients’ health.
'By combining the high-pressure process with an efficient transportation system, the new development allows for a residue-free cleaning of up to 400 containers per minute for the first time.'
By combining the high-pressure process with an efficient transportation system, the new development allows for residue-free cleaning
The RAN 3080 consists of a rotary platform for cleaning and an identical rotary platform for drying. Following the infeed, the transportation system first grips the containers by their closure caps. This enables cleaning of virtually the entire container surface, including the neck. The newly developed ring nozzles of the cleaning station, which for the first time operate with high pressure, subsequently wash the containers from top to bottom. Additional bottom nozzles provide for clean container bases. Pressurised air continuously flows across the closure caps. It stops moisture from getting to the closure rim and into the containers, thereby preventing product contamination.
The machine features three individual washing stations, which enable the cleaning processes to be optimally adapted to different customer demands.
Up to three different media can be used per cycle; apart from water, acids and alkaline solutions are applicable for heavy contamination.
Drying also takes place at three stations with pressurised air from both ring and bottom nozzles, and ensures that no residual moisture sticks to the containers. Thanks to a strict separation of the cleaning and drying area, the machine further prevents a re-contamination of the containers after washing.
'Due to its residue-free cleaning and hygienic design, the RAN 3080 also complies with the high requirements for manufacturing highly potent pharmaceuticals, such as cytostatic drugs,' added Göttler.
The identical construction of the two rotary platforms further enables significant savings in spare parts inventory.
Depending on production requirements, the washing machine can be equipped with different containment devices: options range from containment housing for the protection against harmful and toxic substances to macrolon covers for non- toxic applications. An optional circulation system achieves significant savings by consistently re-using slightly contaminated cleaning media.
Hall 3.1 Stand C71
