At this year’s Interpack, Diosna presented an advanced version of its P 1 – 6 laboratory mixer/granulator for the production of tablet granules. The improved laboratory machine is now even easier to operate, available in an isolator-ready design and controllable via a detachable tablet PC.
The author: Werner Dietzmann Area Sales Manager Pharmaceutical Process Systems, Diosna Dierks & Söhne
This compact table-top machine with bowl sizes from 0.25 to 6 l can also be installed if only limited space is available. The new finger protection is extremely convenient: a proximity limit switch is activated via an adapter at the mixer lid and an encapsulated magnet. The acrylic glass hood of the predecessor version, which had to be opened/closed and cleaned, has been dispensed with. The openings and any equipment mounted on the mixer lid are easily accessible and flexibly arranged.
Up to now, the bowls have generally been discharged by tilting. If several different batches needed to be produced, this procedure was laborious, especially when tempered bowls whose weight is increased by the double jacket were used. The larger mixing units can now be supplied with a manually operated outlet for this reason.
The pneumatic chopper coupling is very user-friendly. Manual coupling/decoupling of the chopper drive in order to change or empty the bowl is a thing of the past. This is now done pneumatically at the push of a button. Last but not least, the mixing units are even easier to clean than ever.
Popular alternative: tablet PC operation
Tablet PCs are increasingly gaining a foothold in industrial applications. They are an advantage in laboratories because of their resistance to dust and liquids.
Operation with a tablet PC is offered as an alternative to the 5.7” touch pad (Siemens TP 177B). This rugged device (IP65) communicates with the integrated PLC over a WLAN as well as optionally with the corporate network. It is mounted in a holder on the mixer for operation. A limit switch checks the presence of the PC for safety reasons. Remote operation is not allowed. A docking station to enable the PC to be used at the operator’s desk is included. The software (Wonderware InTouch), which is identical to that employed for the large Diosna models, makes child’s play of visualisation, operation and recording. The display shows the number of revolutions, the circumferential speed, the Froude number of the mixing tool and various other measured values, depending on the machine’s features.
Containment through isolator operation
Containment aspects must be taken into account when highly active substances are processed. Operating smaller machines in isolators is a good solution. However, they must have an isolator-ready design for this purpose, for example to guarantee good handling and prevent cross-contamination. In the past, only the Diosna P/VAC-10 mixer has boasted a genuinely isolator-ready design. The omission of the protective hood, the pneumatic chopper drive, the detachable control unit and the special containment equipment mean the P 1 – 6 can now also be used in an isolator. Even if isolator operation is not envisaged immediately, this mixer version makes sense for many forward-looking users.
Online-Info: www.cpp-net.com/0311417
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