Conveyor suits pharma packagers

A new customisable conveyor system, specifically designed to meet the regulatory demands on packaging in the pharmaceutical industry, has been launched by AutoPak Engineering.

AutoPak claims that pharmaceutical packagers can improve productivity and efficiency with the XA Conveyor, which is constructed entirely from stainless steel to make clean- and sterilise-in-place procedures easier and making it suitable for use in a cleanroom environment.

The system uses a system of connectors - known as ToughKlamp - which allows packagers to combine components and brackets together without drilling or welding and customise the XA Conveyor to suit their specific production project. It is this feature that differentiates the product in the marketplace, claims AutoPak.

"The XA Conveyor is designed to help pharmaceutical packagers meet strict Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements," said AutoPak in a statement.

It has a sanitary, raised chain design, making it easier to inspect and clean between top and bottom belts. In addition, there are no crevices or holes in the conveyor body where powders or tablets can accumulate, facilitating visual inspections after each lot run. All straight sections of the conveyor feature a liftable chain, further contributing to fast and easy cleanup.

Meanwhile, low radius curves make the XA Conveyor very compact and easy to fit in tight production spaces.

"While many competitive models have a minimum 18 inch curve radius, the XA Conveyor measures approximately 6 inches, saving a significant amount of space," said AutoPak.

The XA Conveyor is designed to package a range of small- to medium-sized products.

Ignacio Munoz-Guerra, general director of AutoPak, noted that the system "helps reduce downtime and improves efficiency."