Gravimetric filling masterclass: Essential fluid handling solutions to save time and money

In a webinar available exclusively on-demand, industry experts Colin Heathfield, Category Manager/Technical Specialist EMEA – Pumps & Fluid Handling, Cole-Parmer, and Derek Higgins, A&D Europe Commercial Manager and Group Weighing Product Specialist, explore the varied benefits of semi-automated filling over manual process. Discover a gravimetric filling system that promises accuracy ‘to the last drop’ and look at how to fill exactly what you need with less error and handling, while reducing timescale and indirect costs.

Read on for highlights from the Q&A discussion at the end of the live event and watch the full webinar on-demand.

Q: Which industry could benefit from this solution?

CH: I wouldn't limit it to any one industry, simply because when you look at what the solution is, there are many different applications. You could say pharma, cosmetics, small production and food industry. The benefits of this system can go into many industries. Therefore, you wouldn’t just apply it in one industry. But the cost savings and benefits would suit the smaller producer the most.

DH: You did mention something about FDA approved and special tubing for certain industries as well, so Colin's quite right. It'll go across many industries, but where there are specific industries there are some specific solutions within this as well, right?

CH: Yes. But it's the nature of the budget value of the solution we're looking at as well. It's not an overly complicated system, or a specialist setup that's going to require a specialist operation and maintenance. It's something that's designed to be user-friendly, user maintainable.

Q: Are all of the Masterflex^® Gravimetric Filling System pumps in the L/S and I/P range compatible with the 37 A&D balances for gravimetric dispensing?

DH: Yes, they are. The 37 balances we mentioned are all the Apollo balances and they will all work with the Masterflex^® products.

CH: And it's very scalable. I think this question raises the point of scalability because we can go from the L/S, the lab-scale range, up to the I/P industrial process and the B/T, which all have the digital option and beyond. So, it does give us that great scalability.

Q: Do you need a PC to operate?

DH: It's a standalone system. It doesn't need a PC to be driven at all. Having said that, it does have full PC control. So, if you do want to run it as an automated or semi-automated system, you certainly can do that. You can control the whole system from a PC or a PLC, but you absolutely do not need that. It's what you saw in the video. Basically, you set some set points on the balance and then you start the process with the key switch. And that's it. It's effectively the balance and the pump.

Q: On the Masterflex^® Gravimetric Filling System pump, are you only limited to using the Easy-Load II Pump Head?

CH: The system has been currently tested and developed with the Easy-Load II range of pump heads, which are for specific tubing ranges. We can look at a progression to use two pump heads, but that's how it's designed at the moment.

Q: How do you operate the solution? What triggers the dispensing?

DH: It's a really simple process. To start the process, we have a simple hand switch or footswitch and it will begin to fill. The process will stop automatically. However, if you do find yourself in an emergency situation, for example, no container under the dispensing nozzle, you can just do a manual stop using the same process. If you want to, however, you can hook it up to a PC or PLC and you can trigger the start and stop using PC commands.

Q: I have an L/S pump and an Apollo balance already. Do I need to buy new hardware?

DH: It depends from the pump side what firmware version the pump is, we say as a minimum it needs to be version 3.1.1, it also depends what L/S pump you have. If it's an L/S digital drive and the version is more than 3.1.1 then it would work. Ideally, firmware version 4.2.7 and onwards works best. But just give us a call and tell us the details and we can talk you through it — it's not a problem.

CH: And it's the same with the balance. If you've got an Apollo balance already it may be that you need to do a firmware upgrade. It will run standard firmware, but at the moment it will be a specific firmware that will just add this functionality to a standard balance this will then become the standard software.

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