Leak testing machine for ampoules and vials

IBSA Farmaceutici has recently purchased two CMP Phar.ma machines, from the Marchesini Group brand which produces control and inspection solutions. In particular, the requirement for the LT12 model derived from the need to carry out leak tests on glass containers – both in traditional ampoules and in vials – for injectable products.

An extraordinary leak test

The LT12 is composed of four leak testing stations in order to provide greater repeatability in the inspections and ensure the highest possible quality standards.

Each inspection station is composed of two electrodes, an emitter and a receiver, connected to a coil which generates a discharge of 40 – 45 kV. If the container is perfectly sealed, the current will flow across the surface of the container (as glass is an insulator), and therefore the current values measured for the good containers will be low and very similar.

In the event that a container with a micro-perforation and/or defective sealing is encountered, however, the current will come into contact with the liquid, which is a conductor: the system will therefore measure a peak of current, which is detected and shows that the container is defective.

Once the inspection process is complete, the good products and the rejects are automatically sent to their separate outlets.

LT12 works in fail-safe mode: this ensures that any container which has not fully completed the entire process is rejected for reasons of safety.

LT12 is able to process ampoules and vials of 1 ml to 30 ml at a maximum production speed of 12,000 pcs/h.