Coperion K-Tron, Niederlenz, Switzerland, has introduced a new line of K3-PH feeders which have been specifically designed to meet the growing demands of continuous processing in the pharmaceutical industry. Owing to the use of a smaller D4 platform scale incorporating the patented and highly accurate Smart Force Transducer (SFT) weighing technology, these feeders require significantly less floor space compared to previous models. The feeder’s modular quick change design allows the easy exchange of feeder types and sizes, using the same scale and drive for fast adaptation to new processes and formulations while also ensuring easy cleaning and maintenance. The quick change feeder bowl, agitator and screw combinations can be quickly decoupled from the feeder drive and provide for easy and fast changeover and cleaning. The updated modular concept features a newly developed drive using a servo motor which helps reduce the overall footprint and offers a much larger turndown range, including low feed rates. For an optimal wash-in-place (WIP) result, every unit has an integral two degree pitch facilitating maximum drainage during the cleaning processes.

The modular K3-PH line has been designed to facilitate a cluster arrangement of six or more feeders, ideal for multi component continuous processes, such as continuous extrusion. Whether designing for excipients, APIs and powder blends with demanding properties such as viscous or adhesive characteristics, rapid-flowing powders, temperature-sensitive fluids or materials with high hazard potential, Coperion K-Tron offers custom designed feeding systems and ancillaries. In the case of the ZSK 26 pharma extruder, the solid material feeder is located on a swiveling platform directly above the inlet. Fluid ingredients are fed via liquid loss-in-weight feeders that are installed on a separate frame next to the extruder. www.coperion.com

 

Coperion K-Tron’s K3 pharma feeder

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