HYDRALINEAR WASHING MACHINE
LINEAR WASHING MACHINE FOR VIALS AND BOTTLES
IMA LIFE Hydra washing machines are the result of years of research
and development dedicated to the decontamination of containers
for injectable products. Th e machines are entirely made of 304 or
316l stainless steel and have been designed according to the cGMP
guidelines, thereby satisfying the highest quality standards of the
pharmaceutical industry. A range of machines is available for all vial
sizes used by the pharmaceutical industry at speed of up to 34,000
vials per hour.
Th e machines can also be used for washing plastic containers and,
upon request, for oval ones. Hydra can be equipped for direct
connection to automatic container feeding systems (such as
depacking or inspection machines) or for connection to feeding
conveyors. Hydra machines can discharge into trays or can be
connected to a depyrogenating tunnel by means of a special “fi rst-in
fi rst-out” off -set loadingsystem.
Th e standard version is equipped with 8 washing stations.
Th is number can be increased up to 13 stations upon request.
A special upper guide rail allows the washing of containers at high
media pressures without vibration or movement.
Th e machine drives are easily accessibile and completely segregated
from the process areas in order to avoid the possibility of cross-
contamination.
A system of levers incorporating spring-loaded telescopic overloads
drive the mechanical movements of the machine, including the
raising of the washing needles.
Th is avoids the risk of vial breakage and a consequent contamination
by glass particles.
DECONTAMINATION TECHNOLOGIES.
The washing cycle can be designed according
to the nature of the container and to
customer’s specifications.
A log endotoxins reduction can be achieved
for terminal sterilization applications.
LINEAR WASHER
STRICT CRITERIA FOR DECONTAMINATIONHAVE BEEN APPLIED TO MACHINE DESIGN.
Th e washing cycle guarantees a 3 log particle reduction.
During washing, the water
pressure in the needles lifts
the vials in their baskets to
allow the flow of water
around the e xternal
surface of the vials.
STANDARD WASHING CYCLETh e containers are loaded onto the in-feed
conveyor of the washing machine either by
the operator or by a depacking machine. Th e
conveyor pushes the containers up to the
separating group where an elevator takes the
leading row of vials and introduces them into
their corresponding baskets.
Th ere is a check to verify that all the
containers have been correctly introduced
into their baskets.
Th e carriage where the washing needles are
mounted moves vertically. Only when the
needles are inside the vials the dedicated
media valves open.
Upon completion of the washing cycles, the
baskets stop in a horizontal position.
Th e vials are pushed out of the baskets onto
a cradle which lifts the vials to a standing
position on the discharge plate. Th is process
assures all vials are positively discharged from
the baskets and no contaminated water in
the baskets drips into the vials.
Th e three areas of the machine - process,
media circuits and drive are segregated in order
to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.
Many options are available to meet particular
requirements: automatic drainage, steam
in place, temperature recording, steaming
stations, siliconising stations, double media
recycling and s.o.
LINEAR WASHER
Th e in-feed group, with or without ultrasonic bath, is equipped
with a conveyor made of a plastic material carried by side chains.
Th e simplicity of the in-feed group makes the tool-less changeover
quick and eliminates the need for adjustments.
Gentle movements with overload devices limit the mechanical
forces exerted on the vials. It is possible to automatically reject fallen
vials during smaller vial size running.
POSITIVE VIAL UNLOADING.THE SYSTEM PREVENTS UNCONTROLLED WATER DROPS FALLING INTO THE VIALS.
Vacuum assisted positive discharge system for unstable small vials
Th e positive unloading system prevents water dripping into the
vials. Th e automatic discharge allows the washing machine to
be emptied and every vial to enter the tunnel without operator
intervention or without the need for additional tools.
Th e ultrasonic bath for vials can be installed on all models of the
Hydra Series of vial washers.
Th e unit has been designed according to the latest cGMP
guidelines and allows an easy accessibility for the operator and a
quick maintenance.
Th e size change over is highly ergonomic and eliminates the need
for adjustments.
WE CAN SUPPORT CUSTOMERS WITH TRAINED STAFF, INSTRUMENTATIONS AND LABORATORIES TO PERFORM VALIDATION TESTS DURING FAT AND SAT OPERATIONS.
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HYDR A TECHNICAL DATA
FORMAT RANGE
TYPICAL BASKET
NUMBER OF BASKETSPER ROW
MACHINE MODEL PRODUCTION: PCS/HOUR
Min.
7 mm
Max.
110 mm14-25 mm A
9 Hydra 1000 9 A 10800
17 Hydra 1300 17 A 20400
21 Hydra 1500 21 A 25200
29 Hydra 1800 29 A 34800
Min.
7 mm
Max.
110 mm16-36 mm B
7 Hydra 1000 7 B 8400
13 Hydra 1300 13 B 15600
17 Hydra 1500 17 B 20400
23 Hydra 1800 23 B 27600
Min.
10 mm
Max.
110 mm20-52 mm C
6 Hydra 1000 6 C 7200
10 Hydra 1300 10 C 12000
13 Hydra 1500 13 C 15600
18 Hydra 1800 18 C 21600
21 Hydra 2000 21 C 25200
Min.
10 mm
Max.
180 mm32-66 mm D
5 Hydra 1000 5 D 4500
8 Hydra 1300 8 D 7200
10 Hydra 1500 10 D 9000
14 Hydra 1800 14 D 12600
Min.
10 mm
Max.
180 mm50-80 mm I
4 Hydra 1000 4 I 3600
7 Hydra 1300 7 I 6300
9 Hydra 1500 9 I 8100
11 Hydra 1800 11 I 9900
1600
1650
-260
0
3500
1000 1300 1500 1800 2000
Length (mm) 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500
Width (mm) 1650 1950 2150 2400 2600
Height (mm) 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600
Th e above production data & format ranges refer to standard machines with a single size of washing basket. By replacing the baskets, each row of which is mounted on a single carrier,
it is possible to accommodate container sizes outside the indicated format ranges.
IMA S.p.A.
IMA LIFE division
Via Emilia 428-442 - 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (Bologna) - Italy
Tel. +39 051 6514111 - Fax +39 051 6514666
[email protected] - www.ima.it