Continuous blending is a production practice common among many industries. Recently, several pharmaceutical companies have also adopted it as a means of improving their production methods. They are looking for a method that provides the essential characteristics required by the government, law and the consumers. Overall, this form of blending is becoming a common means of providing many different industries, including beverage, food, pet food and pharmaceuticals with the means of improving their overall production in several ways.
Blending Systems
Two basic categories of blending systems exist. This is valid for any industry. These are:
1. Traditional: Performed in a batch in a vat or other container
2. Continuous: Performed inline as the components or raw materials/powders are added at one end and blended along the route to an outlet at the end of the conveying system
While both can be effective, many companies are turning to those that provide continuous blending.
Why Choose Continuous over other Blending Systems?
In many industries, exactitude and consistency are essential. Nowhere is this more evident than in the pharmaceutical industry. Blending powder is critical for the success of the product. Regulations, more so than customer expectations, require a certain type of uniformity. The government insists and provides companies with guidelines stressing the specific characteristics or nature of blending.
Continuous blending systems can provide pharmaceutical manufacturers with the chance to meet and even surpass their legal obligations. In other industries, it has proven to
* Precision: This method has proven to be capable of high accuracy in the mixing the various ingredients
* Homogeneity: This system can easily maintain a consistency of quality and specificity that is replicated time and again
* Flexibility: Such equipment proves to be able to introduce and mix a surprising amount of ingredients
* Control: The right equipment allows control over the materials added and the entire process to ensure consistency and quality. Portion control is an integral part of the system
* Accuracy: Properly installed and maintained systems reduce waste by accurately monitoring and precisely introducing the ingredients, powder or liquids, into the system
At the same time, such systems are beneficial in other ways. By reducing the amount of space required to house such equipment, the company can actually save money of space, storage and overhead costs. In addition to being easy to operate, they also provide a faster turnaround. This help to decrease overall operation costs.
Continuous Blending Solutions
Today, various industries rely on technology to help them improve their ability to produce quality products for their customers. While the pharmaceutical industry is still introducing the newer wave of inline blending technology, other industries, such as pet food, beverages and food industries have been using it for years. There rationale is simple. Continuous blending provides them with total reliability precision and flexibility in their search for uniformity and high quality production.
