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

mktg.life@ima.it - www.ima.it