Laser Cake Detector for Pharmaceutical Applications
Laser Cake Detector for Pharmaceutical Applications
The Challenge
API pharmaceutical production often requires minimal contact between product and centrifuge devices. This is necessary during production to avoid possible contamination of the discharged product (according to GMP requirements). A typical cake detector may result in splashes or wear and tear.
Our Solution
We developed a laser optical ray to act as a thickness monitoring and control system. Its function relies on continuously measuring product consistency. The system can operate during the feed and wash phases without causing typical product splashes. This results in a higher-quality product.
The laser measures product thickness by detecting reflection times. That is, the reflection time of the beam between an empty basket position versus the time required for consistency for each product cake. The precision is 1mm, making it more accurate than a mechanical cake detector.
We clean the detector system to maintain this accuracy by rinsing it with liquid and drying it with nitrogen before the feed and wash phases. CPS designed the laser sensor to operate safely inside the basket. We made it so that the device can only be activated when the centrifuge is inerted (usually with nitrogen gas). Our TL-10 laser cake detector is certified to be explosion-proof, per the ATEX European directive, IECEx normative, and UL US norms.
The Results
CPS has installed our TL-10 Laser cake detector on several centrifuges since 2007. Using it controls the cake thickness without potentially contaminating the product and optimizes the quantity of washing liquid used. This more precise cake thickness monitoring saves cycle times and costs for each load, resulting in more satisfied customers.
