• Enhanced process knowledge and control
  • Real time blend data
  • Actual blend end point determination
  • Measures all ingredients for uniformity
  • No sampling and laboratory analysis required
  • All instrumentation installed in GMP enclosures
  • Battery free power supply to instrumentation

The SP15 NIR Laboratory Blender is the apparatus that today’ s pharmaceutical scientist and researcher has been looking for. The SP15 NIR uses Near-Infrared to measure actual powder movement inside the IBC as it is blended. The researcher will be able to monitor ingredient movement on-line, as the blending occurs; this real-time data allows increased understanding of powder behaviour. An additional benefit of this analytical technology is that the behaviour of all the ingredients within the IBC can be accurately monitored, where as traditionally the focus has been on the Active ingredient only. Because the powder blend is known, then the number of samples that need to be taken is dramatically reduced. The result is faster research times, better understanding of formulation behaviour, and a closer control of the blending process.

Enhanced Design
The technology works by using a combination of a Zeiss NIR measuring head, a Corona data analyser and radio frequency transmitters and receivers. The key to the design is to install all the additional instrumentation onto a moving rotating object, as well as provide the necessary utilities. Buck Systems have succeeded in installing all of this instrumentation in a GMP enclosure without having to bolt on boxes to the external part of the blending head. Power is supplied to the instruments through a slip ring, which means the instrumentation has a permanent and un-interrupted power source. Proximity switches in the blending head activate the measuring head at exactly the right time to trigger the data acquisition.

Data analysis and software
Data is transferred by radio frequency from the Blender to a local PC. The blender is supplied with a combination of Winaspect and ProcessXplorer software to allow the data to be analysed and displayed. Buck Systems’ technicians use this software to provide analysis techniques, such as fingerprint methodology for each ingredient, and rate of change of the blend. Buck Systems’ technicians are available to provide full customer support.

Technical Data

  • 5, 10 and 15L containers, rectangular geometry allows scale up to larger IBC. Blending Prism™ technology optional.
  • Container fitted with sapphire glass window to attach NIR measuring head.
  • OMK 0/45 Diffuse Reflectance Measuring Head.
  • Corona Remote NIR Analyser with RF Transmitters.
  • Allen Bradley Micrologix PLC.
  • Allen Bradley 300 Micro HMI.
  • 2-15 rpm variable blending speed via Allen Bradley Flexpower inverter.