Aseptic Handling of Powder Containers in Isolator

Initial Situation & Goals

Previously, the powder was manually transferred from aseptic cans within the isolator. This involved first opening the seal, installing a mechanical flap, and then turning the equipped can to empty its contents into a mill.

With a weight of 12 kilograms per container, this was literally no easy task. And this within a sterile isolator using integrated gloves – with the additional risk of cutting them during the process.

Skan wanted to fully automate this complex and delicate cleanroom process. It was planned to empty five cans per batch and sterilize them with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 30 minutes beforehand.

The Solution

The cans are transported via a roller conveyor into the SARA material lock and decontaminated there for 30 minutes.

After decontamination, the first Industrial Robot takes the cans out of the lock and places them on the buffer positions in the first isolator. Like a can opener, it removes the seal from the can. Then it pushes the can onto a cart into the second isolator, where the stopper is removed and set aside; the product is now open.

The second robot grabs the can, scans it, and weighs it. The can is then emptied into a mill, thanks to a rotary flap integrated into the gripper. After complete emptying, the stopper is put back on, and the can is discharged through an Open-Raps.

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