Quality in the pharmaceutical industry is vital when dealing with a product and its associated production processes. It helps ensure the product achieves its therapeutic effects, gains customer trust, and achieves regulatory compliance.
Quality is achieved in a pharmaceutical product when it fulfills different product-level parameters set by standardization and regulatory bodies, one of which is weight.
Weight is verified and ensured at different stages in the pharmaceutical industry, including the final product. Accurate weight ensures accurate dosage delivery to the patient, a critical factor in the patient’s health. Regulatory compliance is also ensured, which can become problematic for the pharmaceutical organization if found under- or overweight. The equipment used to weigh is known as a Checkweigher.
What is a checkweigher system?
A checkweigher is an automated machine that checks the weight of items passing through or on its sensor. It is typically used for finished packaged pharmaceutical products in the packaging department to ensure the package has its required weight, which is a function of the quantity of drug as claimed on the packaging, and the amount of raw material present in the individual unit. They are installed at the end of the bottle, blister, or carton filling line.
The checkweigher can be programmed for an acceptable weight limit and to reject all packages that falls outside the permissible limits. If a package is over- or underweight, the checkweigher automatically rejects it through a rejection mechanism. It also includes a visual panel that displays the weight of the packages in the weighing section.
Two types of checkweigher are used in the pharma industry. They are In-Motion and Static
In-Motion Checkweigher
In-motion checkweigher systems, also called Dynamic Checkweigher, weigh the package when the package in motion or during movement. They weigh the package on the go and compare it with the acceptable limit. If it falls within the acceptable limit, it is allowed to proceed to the accepted point. On the other hand, if it is over or under the acceptable limit, it is rejected in the motion state without stopping the checkweigher and packaging machine.
They are used for high-speed packaging lines due to their capability of processing high-speed packages. The load cell is sensitive enough to measure the weight without being affected by vibrations and high-speed movement.
It includes a rejection mechanism to remove the over- or under-weight package as it moves on the checkweigher system.
Static Checkweigher
Static checkweigher measure the weight of packages when they are stationary. In contrast to in-motion checkweigher, these weighers require manual loading. They take some time before they calculate and display the weight.
They are used to measure small or delicate packages, to measure a portion of a packaging line to ensure weighing operations, for quality checks, and in process laboratory operations.
Static checkweigher have a simple design without complex machinery, control, and instrumentation. Since they require manual handling, they can slow down the packaging processes. However, they are more reliable, accurate, and low-cost.
Components of the Pharma checkweigher system
A checkweigher is a simple machine usually consisting of the following parts.
In-feed Conveyor - The in-feed conveyor transfers packaged drugs to the weighing station. This part is only included in the in-motion type.
Weighing station: This station consists of a load cell to measure weight. It also includes additional components, such as stabilizers and vibration control components.
Rejecter: This part is only included in the in-motion type and is used to reject the packaged drug that is under- or overweight. It can consist of a pneumatic-controlled arm or air nozzle that activates to remove the packaged drug from the conveyor belt.
Automation components: Control the overall workings of the checkweigher system. Fewer and simpler components are used for static types, while complex autom...
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