CSL goes up a level in handling pharmaceutical products

Following a successful working relationship with 17 separate contracts since 1998, a leading pharmaceutical company returned to Conveyor Systems Ltd (CSL) for them to provide a similar narrow slat chain conveyor for handling very small containers in a controlled environment and transferring these to packing stations.

The 28mm wide, specially designed bespoke manufactured chain slat conveyor transports small lightweight containers in single file at floor level, and then elevates them up to high level and through clean room operations at speeds of up to 120 containers per minute

As in previous systems, CSL designed and manufactured a special side grip elevator with FDA approved twin side grip belts, featuring small rubber fingers to securely hold onto the lightweight containers whilst travelling vertically up to high level. Due to the containers being taller than they are wide, it is imperative that as they are transferred from the elevator onto the high level conveyor that they remain upright so a soft release design was incorporated.   

The twin drive motors for the new side grip elevator are located to the side of the high level conveyor due to both headroom restrictions and to avoid any contamination in the strict hygiene condition area.

A long section of narrow chain slat conveyor that links up with the elevator and passes through the clean room at high level was also manufactured from stainless steel in order to maintain the strict hygiene standards as demanded and required in this area.

Conveyor Systems Ltd’s previous experience of working with this company in their clean environment and the reliability of its previously supplied equipment provided the customer with the necessary assurances and gave CSL an opportunity to quote for the latest system design and line installation.

A stainless steel control panel complimented the engineered solution, to enclose all the controls designed and installed by CSL. The whole system was fully tested with a pre-delivery inspection prior to despatch to ensure operational functionality and to avoid any possible disruption during a small installation period on site. 

The project was completed on time and within budget and has been successfully operating for several months.