Lock turns metal detection capabilities up another notch

Lock Inspection — part of the Loma Group — has further refined its flagship INSIGHT PH Metal Detector. Keeping pace with pharmaceutical industry demands, this system is said to tackle the issue of product integrity with ease and efficiency.

The improved INSIGHT PH Metal Detector has enhanced stability, which counteracts any surrounding noise pollution that can cause false contaminant readings and increase product wastage. Hygienic according to FDA standards, the frame is now height adjustable and has a new clamping sleeve to make it easier and faster for operators to move the metal detector between production lines.

Developed with today’s highly regulated pharmaceutical production plants in mind, the new INSIGHT PH system has been extensively tested by some of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies, according to Hitesh Hirani, technical director at Lock: “The INSIGHT PH is proven to have significantly better performance with detection as good as 0.22 Fe, 0.28 NFe and 0.37 SST levels.”  

Pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and anti-virals must be manufactured and packaged with the utmost caution and attention to detail. Strict quality and safety standards, such as GMP, means inspection accuracy is now mandatory. INSIGHT PH provides users with fully documented installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), and performance qualification (PQ) validations. This gives manufacturers all of the documented evidence needed to verify that processes and procedures meet FDA, GAMP and GMP specifications.

Knowing that adaptability is paramount in today’s pharmaceutical environments, Lock has made it easier and quicker to manoeuvre the metal detection system between production lines. The new frame fits a range of tablet press output heights. Because height, width and angle of tilt can be adjusted easily, units are typically up and running within a matter of minutes.

Its streamline design makes the INSIGHT PH faster to wash down and sterilise between product changeovers, which has long been a hinderance to operational efficiency. Hygienic according to FDA standards, the INSIGHT PH is fully compliant with CFR Parts 210 and 211.

Also new is the hygienic two-piece product chute made of white ABS plastic, with a clear acrylic upper piece for easy viewing of product during the inspection process. For operator safety, there is an integrated aperture location stop.

For easy installation, the system is equipped with Lock’s direct digital signal (DDS). Providing a graphical representation of what is happening during the metal detection process, it reduces setup time and helps to minimise programming errors. For quick installation, there are 200 product pre-sets and permanent memory stores up to 8,000 data events, even during a power interruption or disconnect.

“At a throughput of 30,000 tablets or capsules per minute, the robust nature of the software is a critical control point for guaranteeing detection and rejection of metal fragments,” added Hitesh.   

Lock Inspection, www.lockinspection.com.