Expertise in Synergy - Glatt

esponsibility have to be defined, quotations obtained and costs
calculated in order to arrive at the solution that provides the best
possible cost-to-performance ratio. All these factors - and many
more - were borne in mind and bit by bit pieced together for the
new facility. After many effective meetings between Glatt, PM and
Genzyme and having been carefully coordinated, Glatt is now
supplying pharmaceutical solids production equipment, and
working in perfect harmony: A single supplier source with a
single process guarantee.
The equipment used to handle pharmaceutical solids is the allimportant
logistic and process technology link connecting individual
process steps such as weighing, mixing, blending and
tabletting on the one hand and auxiliary processes such as
homogenisation and cleaning on the other.
The type of product flow, the degree of automation and the containment
level are instrumental in determining how any complete
plant or installation is planned. The provision of the patented
Glatt SKS valve system ensures a total contained interface for the
process units and dispensing stations for the charging and
discharging of highly potent powders, hence a solution for an
application in OEB-4 areas is herewith provided.
While the weighing-in of active substances is generally performed
manually in a weighing cabin, the base carrier materials and
additives are usually measured and added into containers on
automatic weighing trucks.
Sieving and milling techniques are used to separate or reduce
the size of agglomerates in order to obtain a homogeneous grain
structure for the subsequent production process.
Even distribution of the formulation components is ensured by
dry blending using container blenders. The equipment can be
cleaned either manually or in fully automatic washing systems.
In addition to the product flow itself, factors such as preparation,
administration and reliable data transport play an ever more
important role in terms of reproduction accuracy and process
safety. Integrated systems are in great demand – preferably from
one single source. The main criteria with product handling are
primarily determined by the type of product flow, the degree of
automation and the level of containment. Whether weighing,
dosing, blending, sieving, storing, transporting, docking or the
necessary documentation, either manually or automatically controlled
– Glatt is providing the latest and proven state of the
art solution technology in close cooperation with the project
partners for the new Genzyme plant.
Schematic view of the product and data flow
in a pharmaceutical operation
Patented, contamination-free flap system
(Containment Flap)
Contamination-free
flap system: SKS
Contamination-free flap system:
Schematic diagram incl. detail
Ralf Kretzschmar is a graduated engineer in cybernetics
from the University of Ilmenau, Germany.
After ten years of sound experience in light engineering
he joined Glatt Systemtechnik Dresden as
Vice President and Sales Director.
Contact: Ralf.Kretzschmar@glatt.com
International Times No. 27 · March 2009
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