Capsule Filling Machine , Purpose :
Capsule Filling Machine , The purpose of this SOP is to describe the setting, operation and cleaning procedure of the Capsule Filling Machine (Model: SF-40N) in order to comply with cGMP standard.
Capsule Filling Machine , Scope :
The scope of the procedure is applicable to the Capsule Filling Machine (Model: SF-40N) at the Production area of XX Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Definitions / Abbreviation:
[][]N/A.
Responsibilities:
[][]The Roles and Responsibilities are as follows:
Operator
[][]Set up, operation and cleaning of the Capsule Filling Machine (Model: SF-40N)
[][]Maintaining Equipment Log Book
Executive, Production
[][]To monitor and check the laid down procedure.
Manager, Production
[][]To implement this correctly.
Manager, Quality Assurance
[][]To approve the Document.
Procedure :
Precautions :
Safety
[][]Never run the machine with its door open.
[][]Use face mask, rubber gloves and protective clothing during handling of materials.
[][]Keep the switches “OFF” during break-time and at the end of the job.
Special Instruction
[][]Ensure the Capsule Filling machine is properly cleaned.
[][]Compressed air pressure should be set at 6 kg/cm².
[][]Filters on the dry vacuum must be cleaned regularly. Vacuum should be used for cleaning.
[][]Do not use water or a solvent to wash filters on the vacuum.
[][]Never wash filters with water.
[][]Lubricate all moving parts as per schedule.
[][]Use correct lubricants for all moving parts.
[][]Never repair, adjust, clean or lubricate any moving parts while the machine is in motion.
Machine Assembling
[][]Open the site glass of all sides
[][]Set the desired side pusher and tighten the set screws.
[][]Set the desired race way and tighten the set screws.
[][]Set the desired feeder and tighten the set screws.
[][]Set the block and tighten the set screws.
[][]Adjust the side pusher and down pusher.
[][]Press “up” button on the display and make powder hopper in maximum height.
[][]Install the desired dose filling plate.
Adjust the dosing device.
Align the stop plate with the tamping pin holes. Insert the tamping pins and pull the stop plate to lock around the neck of the pins. Tighten the four set screws.
For alignment of dosing disk with set plate-
Loosen the dosing disk set screws.
Insert six adjustment bars through the holes on the set plate.
Adjust the position of the dosing disk until all six adjustment bars fall freely into the disk holes
[][]Tighten set screws without moving the disk.
[][]Check the alignment with six adjusting bars to see if all bars fall freely without touching the disk hole wall.
[][]Turn the machine 2-3 revolutions by the hand wheel to see the adjustment bars fall freely at all six points.
[][]Adjust the tamping pins into the set plate holes and adjust set screws.
[][]Adjust the closing pin holder and joint plate depending on the capsules size.
[][]Adjust height of dosing disk (0.5mm).
[][]Check the correct setting of change parts listed below
Upper capsule segment
Lower capsule segment
Capsule feeder
Race way
Side pusher
Capsule stopper plate
Size ring
Dose filling plate (for pellet)
Tamping pins (for powder)
Dosing disk (for powder).
Machine Operation
[][]Check the cleanliness of the filling machine. Give clearance to run the machine.
[][]Switch ON the main power switch.
[][]Open compressed air supply valve.
[][]On the control power of automatic data controller.
[][]Race machine through a few steps via the hand wheel of the main drive.
[][]Charge capsule hopper with empty capsule shell.
[][]Clear capsule locking at capsule magazine.
[][]Turn key switch MANUAL MODE to INCHING.
[][]Switch on vacuum Press the illuminated pushbutton VACUUM
Powder Station
[][]Charge powder container with powder
[][]Adjust powder height mechanical tamping pin adjustment
[][]Adjust powder filling level height on dosing disk
[][]Run machine in inch mode for 6-7 turnings until all segments are filled with capsules Press the pushbutton START Subsequent check capsule weight.
[][]If necessary, adjust the capsule weight by adjusting the tamping pin and the powder height.
Pellet Filling Station
[][]Charge pellet hopper with pellet.
[][]Open the shutter > moving it upwards
[][]Start operation of the pellet station.
[][]Run machine through several cycles in inch mode >press the pushbutton START and then check capsule weight with pellets.
[][]Let the machine running >Press the pushbutton START
[][]Check again capsule weight and correct if necessary.
[][]Start machine in automatic mode.
Control machine running
[][]Stop automatic mode > Press key STOP.
[][]Shut Off compressed air supply.
[][]Clean the machine as per current version of SOP.
Machine Cleaning
[][]Take the main switch to OFF position.
[][]Remove the pellet hopper by removing four screws.
[][]Remove pellet doser by removing four nuts.
[][]Remove the discharge chute by removing two nuts.
[][]Rotate the hand wheel, situated at the lower portion of right side of the machine, to bring capsule segment no. 1 to backside of the machine.
[][]Remove the upper capsule segment one by one by removing two nuts using allen key. Clean them with dry cloth, then tape water & finally rinse with purified water and keep them in their respective box.
[][]Remove the lower capsule segment one by one by removing two nuts using allen key from the two centering pins. Clean them with dry cloth, then tape water & finally rinse with purified water and keep them in their respective box.
[][]Loosen two set screws and remove the block of shell doser.
[][]Loosen two set screws and remove the feeder. Clean using compressed air.
[][]Loosen two set screws and remove the race way. Clean using compressed air.
[][]Loosen two set screws and remove the side pusher. Clean using compressed air.
[][]Keep the shell feeder, race way and side pusher in their respective box.
[][]Remove the capsule stopper plate by removing two nuts.
[][]Remove size ring, clean and set the desired size ring.
[][]Remove any loose powder inside the cleaning segment holes by blowing compressed air and by applying vacuum.
[][]Disassemble the upper part of the granules doser, dose controller and dose filling plate. Clean them with organic solvent like isopropyl alcohol. (For pellets).
[][]Loosen the coupling for the agitator screw and driving shaft. (For powder)
[][]Remove dust from the agitator screw, driving shaft and powder tank with clean cloth. Wash them 2-3 times with potable water then rinse with purified water. Wipe them with dry clean cloth. Allow drying in air conditioned room.
[][]Loosen the set screws and remove the fastening plate by lifting and tilting. Clean the fastening plate with cloth, then tape water & finally rinse with purified water and keep them in their respective box
[][]Loosen the set screws and remove the dosing disk and chamber. Clean the dosing disk and chamber with cloth, then tape water & finally rinse with purified water and keep them in their respective box
[][]Loosen the lock screws, turn the adjusting screws all the way up and lift the pin holder to remove thirty pins with the holder.
[][]To remove pins from the holder, loosen the set screws, pull the stop plate forward, and remove pins. Clean them with tape water & finally rinse with purified water and keep them in their respective box
[][]After final cleaning affix the ‘CLEANED’ label.
[][]Record the cleaning parameters in the ‘Equipment Log Book’
Annexure:
Annexure I Equipment Use Log Book