IBC Blenders

Long Working Life

Robust construction ensures a long working life. The clamping cage provides a secure connection to the top and the bottom of the IBC, reducing mechanical stress during rotation and preventing damage. 

Safety First

Air-driven screw jacks ensure that the IBC remains fully clamped, even if machine utilities are lost. Positive IBC detection prevents any un-clamped blender operation and the cage rotation motor is braked, preventing any utility free movement and providing an emergency stop option.

Controls

The user friendly control system makes it simple to load blend recipes and print completed batch information. Blending speed is controlled using a variable speed drive and 21 CFR Part 11-compliant controls are available for electronic records. 

Through-the-Wall Design

The Pedestal Blender is available with the main pedestal housed in the technical area and the clamping cage in the process area. An airtight wall plate is supplied as a barrier between the two rooms. A smaller processing room results in reduced area and running costs, and technicians can access the pedestal from the technical side (without entering the GMP production area).

Specialist Technologies are available

• The blending Prism  enhances the blending performance, especially when dry powder blending direct compression formulations.
• The Vibroflow^® prevents the risk of product segregation during discharge from the blending container.
• All the IBC blenders available from GEA can be fitted with Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) such as Light Induced Florescence (LIF) or Near-Infrared (NIR) systems.

Process Analytical Technology (PAT) for IBC Blending

All GEA blenders can be fitted with PAT-compliant technologies such as Light Induced Fluorescence (LIF) or NIR systems. GEA uses these technologies to measure particle movement and in-process conditions during blending, providing a better understanding of powder behaviour, which improves R&D times and enhances process control. In the production environment, new product validation is quicker, and both productivity and containment are improved. 

The technology works by using an NIR or LIF measuring head. Mounted on the rotating blending head with a viewing window on the wall of the IBC, an onboard data analyzer interprets the process data and sends it to a PC. Sophisticated software allows users to monitor the powder movement and detect the process end point.

Power is supplied through a specially designed slip ring, which guarantees a permanent and uninterrupted power source. Proximity switches in the blending head activate the system at the right time to trigger data acquisition.

Overview

Pneumatically operated screw jacks provide a fail-safe clamping system that, unlike hydraulic versions, remain in place in the event of utility failure. The main support pedestal is designed to be housed in the technical area: an optional stainless steel design is available  if the entire machine needs to be located in a cleanroom.

Our Single Pedestal machines can accommodate “Size 4” IBCs (up to 2000 L). The Double Pedestal Blender enables “Size 5” IBCs (up to 3000 L) to be used.

The GEA Pedestal Blender boasts a proven and durable design that offers low maintenance and a long working life; the perfect investment for today's pharmaceutical manufacturer.

* Smaller IBC's can be blended by adopting a "Bottle in Frame" design for the smaller IBC.
** Maximum load calculations are based on weight of the IBC plus a worst case bulk density of 0.8 Kg/L and a 80% product fill ratio.

Modular Lifting Carriage Design

The design of the Post Hoist Blender range is based entirely on our robust and proven post hoist design. The lifting carriage module of the post hoist is replaced with a blending head carriage; the remainder of the column design is the same as the standard post hoist range.

R&D and Pilot-Scale Blenders

At the smaller end of the scale, our hoists can be used in R&D and pilot scale facilities. The PLB300 and PLB700 allow the use of 600 L (Size 2 and 3) and 1400 L (Size 4) IBCs, respectively. 

● standard           ○ optional          -- not available 

SP30 Laboratory Blender

The SP30 allows containers ranging from 3-30 L to be tumble blended at a variety of speeds for variable times and/or revolutions. The unit can easily be manoeuvred within an R&D facility with the addition of a mobile trolley.