At Achema 2018, Bosch Packaging Technology presents a fast high-precision capsule filling machine for small batches. Thanks to the specially designed platform for a fully automated washable containment process, the new GKF 720 ensures efficient and resource-saving processing for all types of hard capsules.
The system has been specially tailored to the demands of manufacturers of highly potent solid pharmaceuticals–Benedict Kleine-Koenig, product manager at Bosch Packaging Technology
“During the development, the focus was on satisfying their high safety requirements, as well as process precision and stability. The OEB5 containment ensures the highest protection for the operator, machine and product, while its minimal water requirements, 100% defective capsule detection and compact design translate into additional cost savings.” Building on many years of experience with the 702 ProTect and 1700 HiProTect series, the GFK 720 completes the Bosch containment portfolio with an output of 720 capsules per minute.
Washable containment with minimal water consumption
In the first cleaning stage of the GKF 720, the components that come into contact with the product are automatically cleaned from above with 200 milliliters of water, binding the highly potent residual dust. In the second stage, the processing area is manually flushed with ten liters of water maximum, quickly and completely ridding it of any product residue. The specially designed tabletop and the new dosing stations make sure that no water penetrates the machine room during cleaning. “Thanks to the reduced water consumption, the machine can be operated independently from the customer’s water system without a separate water connection,” explains Kleine-Koenig.
Integrated 100% weight control for pellets and micro-dosed powders
The GKF 720 is designed for processing powders, pellets and tablets. For pellets and micro-dosed powders in particular, it features a patented, automatic height-adjusting pellet station and a manually height-adjustable dosing disk. Together with the Net Weight Detection System (NWDS) and the integrated gravimetric checkweigher, these features allow consistent in-process control (IPC). The regular adjustment of dosed amounts via IPC ensures a stable, capacitive measuring process throughout the production cycle. ”Depending on the product properties, the NWDS can achieve and constantly maintain a high measurement capacity – with a relative standard deviation of less than one percent,” says Kleine-Koenig.
Highly modular for quick product changes
The GKF 720 is equipped with an extremely flexible plug-and-play station, which supports rapid switching, for instance from pellets to powders. “For our customers, the growing trend toward dosing different solids in small batches of capsules means frequent product changeovers at relatively short intervals,” says Kleine-Koenig. “The machine’s modular design offers them the highest possible flexibility: the system can be converted in less than five minutes. Moreover, the exchange of the modules is so simple and failsafe that even an inexperienced operator can do it.”
Extended service portfolio supports with process optimizations
Customers can also take advantage of an extended range of services for the GKF 720. In addition to operator training and the proven after-sales services, Bosch also offers an Engineering Pharmaceutical Service (EPS) for process optimization. Here, Bosch experts share their extensive product expertise, for example in dosing difficult products.
