PK-V-Vis Combi - A Fully Automatic Leak Tester and Visual Inspection Machine

Friday, January 29, 2010 by Bonfiglioli Pharma

Quality control is essential in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly when it comes to seal integrity and particle inspection. Bonfiglioli Pharma provides a solution that saves both time and space, thus making it one of the most cost effective on the market.

The PK-V-Vis Combi is a fully automatic leak tester and visual inspection machine for ampoules and vials. It may reach an output of 400cpm and the vial size can range between 2ml-100ml. This leak testing method is according to the ASTM and is fully validated. Equipped with cameras this machine is able to perform particle, level and cosmetic inspection.

The container is inserted in an airtight chamber whereby it is tested by applying vacuum. The PK-V-Vis Combi is equipped with software based on the SCADA platform through which the pressure pattern can be recorded, analysed and compared to a pre-set pattern, thus indicating if the container is good or faulty. Having finished this process, the same container is spun, then stopped and several photos are taken. The container is checked for any particles in the product, cracks and the fill level. A comparison is done between photos and a discrimination made between a good and bad container. The machine is already widely used with several successful installations worldwide.