Bosch kept its FXS Combi under wraps until interpack. This machine, Bosch gauged, deserved to be unveiled at the world's leading packaging innovations exhibition. Depending on output and container, the machine with two or five positions processes pre-sterilized nested syringes, vials and cartridges. The FXS Combi is the first filling and closing machine of this kind with an integrated capping station for vials and cartridges.
Because it can be easily integrated into line concepts, it also provides significant space savings. It is ideal for low and medium output rates.
The FXS Combi is an advancement of the proven FXS platform, with flexible and quickly exchangeable format parts for diverse packaging types.
"To fulfil our customer's demands for higher flexibility, a more compact footprint and extended fields of application, we transferred the successful FXS concept to further, pre-sterilized packaging types," Klaus Ullherr, product manager at Bosch Packaging Technology, explained.
Bosch has a proven track record of providing safe and reliable processing of syringes, vials and cartridges. This became a valuable resource for developing the FXS Combi with its integrated capping station. In the consistent monobloc solution, the capping of vials and cartridges takes place directly after the stopper insertion. This ensures highest pharmaceutical safety, as the container is immediately and safely closed after filling.
The FXS Combi operates with a combi filling station with up to six dosing heads, so it is suitable for all common filling technologies, such as peristaltic or rotary slide valve piston pumps as well as the single-use filling technology PreVAS. A combination with different barrier systems is also possible. The FXS Combi is suited for both Restricted Access Barrier Systems (RABS) and isolators. By combining the new filling and closing machine with the proven upstream ATO tub opener and ABO bag opener from Bosch, it may be integrated into fully automated line concepts.
The filling and closing machine is also suited for processing vials for lyophilization, which ensures a longer life span of the pharmaceuticals. High-priced pharmaceutical products and packaging types require a high product yield. By filling on a check-weigher during the start-up and run-empty process almost 100% of pharmaceutical liquids are usable for filling. Filling weights are checked via statistical in-process control (IPC).
"Together with our single-use filling system PreVAS, the FXS Combi contributes to a more efficient and faster development of new medications, for instance for the treatment of cancer," Ullherr said.
