The TT range from Optimal is part of the broader SciYbotic Quality Test Machines series of at-line solutions that enable the digitalisation of pharmaceutical manufacturing from the lab to commercial-scale production.
Optimal
This latest addition to the portfolio combines vision-guided six-axis robots, analytical instruments, and control systems driven by synTQ knowledge management software. All these components operate in sync to support high-speed, accurate, repeatable and traceable quality control operations within a compact footprint.
Individual tablets are picked up by the robotic arm to be placed in one or multiple analytical instruments. They are precisely positioned in the analyser for quality checks and the synTQ platform, hosting chemometric and other predictive models, is used to define the characteristics of each sample. Once this action is complete and all tests have been performed, the robot moves the tablets to uniquely marked trays for easy traceability.
The TT machines offer high flexibility, as they are fully customisable to address the specific needs of each individual pharmaceutical application. They operate at high speeds and can be equipped with different analysers, e.g. to perform only assay testing, or to combine this with weight, thickness and/or hardness. For example, the SciYbotic TTA-60 Quality Test Machine is equipped with a multi-purpose infrared analyser or, if preferred, a Raman analyser, to measure content uniformity and determine assay. Based on a typical tablet analysis time, it can process 60 tablets per hour and is able to provide quality decisions to the tablet press within one minute.
To advance interconnectivity and flexibility of smarter operations, users can also integrate and run their preferred chemometric models within their custom TT units. The solution can operate either as part of the user’s existing production control system or in a standalone configuration. Therefore, the validated laboratory analytical technique, chemometric model and analyser type can be integrated into the flexible design. Finally, thanks to the synTQ software platform, which provides a holistic and data-driven real-time overview of manufacturing phases, users can maximise their visibility and control. As a result, companies can integrate the validated laboratory analytical technique, chemometric model and analyser type into a flexible design, eventually within broader Process Analytical Technology (PAT) frameworks.
Martin Gadsby, chairman at Optimal Group, said: “The entire Optimal Group worked closely on the development of the SciYbotic TT design, and we are proud to see our technologies being leveraged to create such an advanced setup. Customers worldwide have already started asking us for comprehensive, fully integrated automated quality testing machines and we are delighted to be able to support them with our latest innovation. We look forward to working closely with pharmaceutical companies to drive the adoption of the TT range and help the entire sector realise the benefits of Pharma 4.0 applications. Through a fully autonomous design, these solutions can greatly streamline quality control, enhancing consistency while reducing complexity and processing time.”