Enhanced Pharmaceutical Metal Detector for Improved Operating Efficiencies Launched

Lock Inspection, part of the Loma Group, has launched an enhanced version of its well proven Insight Pharmaceutical Metal Detector.

Lock’s popular Insight PH system offers advanced detection performance, construction quality and reliability characteristics, making it an effective inspection solution for the high speed elimination of metal contaminants after the tablet press and de-dusting processes.

Utilising its unrivalled 68-year history and significant industry experience, Lock has developed the Insight PH to further improve stability and manoeuvrability, which allows easy integration with the tablet presses, de-dusters, polishers and encapsulation equipment commonly used by pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturers.

The Lock Insight PH Metal Detector boasts a newly upgraded ‘H’ frame for improved stability designed to counteract the surrounding noise pollution that often causes false contaminant rejection and increased product wastage.

In addition, the frame now features durable locking caster wheels making it faster and simpler for operators to move and secure the metal detector between production lines. It is adjustable for height and angle of tilt using a gas strut and new clamping sleeve, allowing the unit to be quickly relocated and operational within minutes.

Plus the metal detector’s compact design allows it to be located on virtually any production or packaging line without disrupting the plant layout.

James Chrismas, International Pharmaceutical Business Manager at Lock Inspection commented: “Lock has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and consistently helped major companies successfully anticipate and satisfy the quality assurance demands of regulatory authorities, retailers and manufacturers alike.

The system also offers ‘fully digital processing’ functionality for conversion of analogue signals to digital processing in the detection head. This eliminates interference from the various frequencies emitted by tablet presses and digital radios, for example. A voltage measurement read-out allows the customer to properly monitor calibration.

Lock’s Insight PH offers best in class calibrated detection levels of 0.25mmFE, 0.3mmNFE and O.4mmSt/St. Four password protected security levels are provided for operators, supervisors, engineering and administration. The system is available with fully documented Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ) validations for compliance with FDA, GAMP and GMP specifications. It is design and construction compliant with 21CFR parts 10 and 11 and certified to NEMA 4X / IP66.