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Rotary Vial Washer
PennTech has purposely chosen a rotary-type vial washer, as opposed to an in-line type vial washer.
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Rotary Washer Concept |
In-line Washer Concept |
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| Cleanliness |
There are no moving parts in the washing chamber (except for the central turret). |
With chain based drive mechanisms they inherently create more particulates than rotary vial washers. |
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| Functionality |
Each vial size has a dedicated set of change parts. Each vial is optimally exposed to internal and
external water/air spraying. |
In-line vial washers, use vial holders (buckets) made for all vial sizes. This compromises the
effectiveness of the washing function. |
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| Visibility |
Due to the transparent polycarbonate cover over the washing chamber, the total washing function can be
visually inspected. |
This is practically impossible with in-line vial washers. |
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| Compact Size |
The rotary design allows for a small footprint. In fact, the PennTech RW-800 occupies just 2.7 m2
(1.9m x 1.4m) and is one of the most compact vial washing machines on the market today. |
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| Single file container out feed |
The cleaned vials leave the washer in a single-file fashion. This means that the vials are immediately
available for trayloading or for transporting to the filling machine in the clean room. In addition, when continuous
sterilizing is required (using a sterilization tunnel), the vials can be pushed onto the tunnel conveyor in a full
loading pattern. |
With in-line vial washers the loading pattern is less than optimum. Resulting in “cold
spots” in the sterilization tunnel. |
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Stationary Nozzles versus Penetrating Nozzles
PennTech has chosen stationary nozzles, as opposed to penetrating nozzles.
There are several reasons for this choice:
- Penetrating nozzles move in and out of the vials.
Everything that moves generates particulates. This is in violation with the function of a vial washer; i.e., to remove particulates.
- Tests have shown that stationary nozzles are just as effective as penetrating nozzles.
The reason for this is due to the high velocity of the waterjet exiting the spray pipe; the stationary nozzle maintains
its convergent nature as if an invisible spray pipe is surrounding the waterjet. Even small 2 ml vial with
a 13 mm neck finish are effectively cleaned.
- Penetrating nozzles may hit the neck finish of the vial and bend.
Bent nozzles are not only ineffective; they may jeopardize the validation of the batch.
To download a pdf with more information click on one of the links below.
| RW - 800 |
RW - 1150A |
| Cleans vials at an output rate between 1,000 and 12,000 vials per hour. |
Cleans vials at an output rate between 2,000 and 24,000 vials per hour. |
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