Downtime cut
January 1st 2005

A non-contact checkweighing system has been developed by BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical Systems for use within a pharmaceutical powder filling line for a major US pharmaceutical company.

Based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology, it is said to enable increased quality control and efficiency.

Traditional methods of weighing on high-speed filling lines involve samples being removed from the line and weighed on precision balances, both before and after filling.

The new, non-contact system is incorporated into the filling line so that every container is checked as it continues through the production process.

Problems are identified immediately and corrected via process feedback to the BOC Edwards filling equipment. Costs associated with waste product and downtime are cut and the company gains greater assurance that each vial contains the right amount.

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