GSK is improving process efficiency in the production of pharmaceutical powders at its Centre of Excellence plant in Dartford, Kent, by investing in nine new industrial pharmaceutical sieves fitted with the Vibrasonic deblinding system from Russell Finex.

GSK is improving process efficiency in the production of pharmaceutical powders at its Centre of Excellence plant in Dartford, Kent, by investing in nine new industrial pharmaceutical sieves fitted with the Vibrasonic deblinding system from Russell Finex.

Many of the pharmaceutical powders produced at the plant are difficult to screen efficiently because of mesh blinding. They are also low density and gain static so instead of passing easily through a conventional separator, they tend to float above the mesh, slowing down production and reducing efficiency.

The Vibrasonic deblinding system has solved these problems, significantly increasing productivity as well as reducing costs, and meeting their HACCP and due diligence requirements.

The specialised industrial vibratory sifters for pharmaceuticals are used at the final stage of primary manufacture, screening pharmaceutical powders to the required size before they are sent away for the second manufacturing stage when the powders are made into tablets or a liquid suspension.

Vibrasonic 2000 provides greater control over the mesh and powder settings to increase throughput of static powders. The strength and duration of the ultrasonic activity can be tailored to suit the particular production run.

GSK use the pulse facility and ultrasonic frequency, switching it on and off at pre-set intervals to allow the powder to fall through the screen, instead of floating above it, to maintain a consistently high throughput.

To read more about Russell Finex industrial sifters for pharmaceutical powders installed at GlaxoSmithKline and how they helped increase production efficiency, visit our website.