New Inspection Technologies for Higher Product Quality and Safety

• KHS 1: new high-end headspace leak detection platform from Bosch
• AIM 3 reliably combines visual inspection and high-voltage leak detection
• Cooperation with Lighthouse Instruments for best-in-class container closure integrity testing

At Achema 2015, Bosch Packaging Technology showcases two new pharmaceutical inspection machines. The KHS 1 is a new development emerging from a cooperation of Bosch with Lighthouse Instruments, LLC. It is designed for container closure integrity testing of ampoules, vials, bottles, cartridges and syringes using laser headspace analysis (HSA). The AIM 3, in turn, is the new member of the well-established AIM series. It offers the possibility to perform both visual inspection and high-voltage leak detection (HVLD) for ampoules and vials on one single platform. “These new platforms underline the expertise of Bosch Packaging Technology in all inspection areas. Independent of the product or application, we can offer extensive consulting and the appropriate technology to ensure the highest product safety and quality for all requirements,” Mahmoud Hamada, business development manager at Bosch Inspection Technology, explains.

Successful cooperation with HSA pioneer
To further expand its inspection portfolio, Bosch collaborated with Lighthouse Instruments, the leading provider of non-destructive laser spectroscopy headspace analysis systems. This expertise in leak detection fits ideally with the highest quality requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. “By combining this expertise with our market-leading machinery for pharmaceutical inspection applications, we have developed a highly flexible and customizable high-speed platform,” says Joachim Baczewski, head of Inspection Technology and president of Bosch Packaging Technology K.K. in Japan. Jim Veale, president of Lighthouse Instruments, adds, “We are excited to offer the pharmaceutical industry best-in-class leak detection machines together with Bosch Packaging Technology.”

The KHS 1 is the new high-end leak detection system from Bosch for closure integrity testing with laser headspace analysis. It measures the absorbed light passing through the headspace region via laser spectroscopy. HSA is applicable to lyophilized products and medicines filled under vacuum or purged with inert gas. The new KHS 1 inspects both standing and non-standing containers at outputs of up to 600 per minute, and can combine HSA with optional near infrared (NIR) measurement and container coding. In order to ensure the highest reliability and accuracy, a built-in automatic re-calibration is continuously performed using certified reference containers.

AIM 3: compact platform for visual inspection and leak detection
Eisai Machinery (now Bosch Inspection Technology) developed the first model of the AIM series forty years ago. In 1985, the successful KLD series using HVLD technology was introduced. It detects leaks by measuring the electrical resistance of containers with conductive solutions. At Achema, Bosch now launches the new AIM 3, which combines both visual inspection of the AIM series and high-voltage leak detection of the KLD series. It inspects ampoules and vials containing solutions and suspensions at outputs of up to 400 containers per minute. “Our aim was to offer pharmaceutical producers and contract manufacturers from all over the world an economical solution for medium speeds at high Bosch quality standards,” Mahmoud Hamada explains.

In order to sort out damaged containers before they enter the main inspection turret, the AIM 3 is equipped with a pre-inspection station. The core module features a high-resolution CMOS camera with high-speed interface for particle and cosmetic inspection, as well as a re-inspection function. The customizable platform can be retrofitted on site to add further visual inspection stations or the HVLD module. The latter delivers equivalent measurement results for all glass qualities, such as molded and tubing, as well as clear and amber glass. Both inspection steps are controlled via one common Human Machine Interface (HMI). Bosch’s technologies are on display at Achema in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, from June 15 to 19, hall 3.1, booth C71.