GEA Highlights New Developments in Compression, Containment, and Continuous Processing

Visitors at ACHEMA are invited to learn more about GEA’s new developments in compression, containment, and continuous processing. “GEA’s tableting technologies include a unique system that independently and simultaneously measures and controls both tablet weight and hardness, and a weight control system that provides increased sensitivity at lower forces,” commented Johan Van Evelghem, the company’s sales director, Pharma Compression, in a press release. He added the GEA’s presses offer extended dwell times of up to 300%, thus enabling higher outputs and enhanced productivity.

PERFORMA Lite

GEA is displaying at its stand, the PERFORMA Lite, which the company says is a cost-effective version of its market-leading PERFORMA P rotary tablet press. The machine is designed for medium-scale production of solid dosage forms at rates of up to 320,000 tablets per hour. The PERFORMA Lite is small, fast, and versatile, according to GEA. 

Benefits of the PERFORMA Lite include an exchangeable turret (which enables format changeover in 30 minutes using a semi-automatic exchange sequence), easy cleaning, and ready access to the compression area for maintenance. The machine is equipped with replaceable upper guides, removable scraper seals and die seats, and an optional constant level feeding system. 

Wash-off-line exchangeable compression module

Another exhibit is GEA’s wash-off-line exchangeable compression module (WOL-ECM). Tablet compression can be challenging, especially when handling highly potent substances. The ECM is a sealed unit that is isolated from the remainder of the tablet press. It not only contains the turret and compression tooling, but all the product-contact parts as well. Providing both operator and product safety, the WOL-ECM can be easily removed and replaced with a clean unit in 30 minutes for fast product changeovers of less than 2 hours. The benefits include easy cleaning, high throughput, and the removal of cross-contamination risk. The short changeover time offers improved efficiency and flexible tablet production.

Live MUPS tablet production in action

GEA is also demonstrating, during the show, the production of multiple unit pellet system (MUPS) tablets using its GEA MODUL P tablet press. MUPS is produced by compressing a mixture of drug-containing pellets and powder excipients. GEA has developed an innovative MUPS tablet production line that eliminates segregation and increases process yields.

Once compressed, the MUPS tablets are fed into GEA’s ConsiGma continuous coater. Designed as part of the company’s integrated tableting solution, the ConsiGma high-speed drum coater can apply decorative and functional coatings using both aqueous and solvent-based suspensions. It is compatible with GEA’s WOL for fast changeovers. According to the company, this plug flow-based technology offers short process times and virtually no scale-up.

New visual tablet inspection system

Also on display at ACHEMA, the TVIS-NSE system, in collaboration with Viswill, is now available from GEA. Based on the concept of “less is more,” Viswill has added a new model to its NS series of visual tablet inspection systems. Specifically designed for the European market, the TVIS-NSE sets new quality standards by combining high speed, highly accurate inspection with GMP compliance and user-friendly implementation.

In addition to colour cameras supplied as standard, the TVIS-NSE also features 3D laser technology, enabling accurate and stable images of embossed tablets to be taken. Compared with the conventional direct-lighting technology widely used on other inspection systems, the 3D laser provides stable, clear, and sharp images without the unwanted noise caused by light reflecting off the surface and edges of the tablet. GEA is the exclusive distributor of the Viswill range in Europe and has a full-option TVIS-NSE available for trials at its facilities in Halle, Belgium.

Source: GEA Pharma Systems, Hall 4, Stand F46