With a 60-year history in thermoformed healthcare packaging, Nelipak has a deep understanding in the design, development, and manufacture of cleanroom trays and blisters. The company understands the importance well-formed blisters and trays play during the sealing process to ensure a solid sterile barrier is created and maintained over the life of the package.
Seeing a need in the market, Nelipak worked with and listened closely to its customers over a two-year period to develop its next-generation machine, the NX-T1 tabletop heat sealer, which will be displayed at Nelipak’s stand during this year’s MD&M Anaheim 2015 show at Booth 2086.
Fashioned in stainless steel for ease of cleaning, the NX-T1 machine is easy to use, requires little maintenance, and is class 7 and 8 cleanroom-compatible. Several new features have been incorporated into the machine including an NX-T1 sealing die with auto tray ejector and touch-button activation. Among the machine’s benefits are the following:
• Automated sealing drawer. Touch-button control activates the “hands-free” sealing drawer, which automatically closes to begin the sealing cycle and returns to an open position on completion. In the open position automatic pushers release trays for ease of removal by the operator from the die reducing wear on the critical seal flange area.
The automated cycle frees the operator to prepare the next tray in the sealing process. The sealing drawer features the Nelipak quick tool change system for sealing dies and heat plates, reducing setup time of production parts. The drawer automatically defaults to the open position, preventing the sealing die from overheating through being inadvertently being left under the heat plate when not in use.
• User controls. An upgraded Siemens PLC HDMI controller allows for additional functionality to be built into the system. This facilitates the new RFID in-built reader that confirms the correct tool set and recipes are selected by operator, and the system locks out if the wrong tool /recipe combination is selected.
Software upgrades enable 21 CFR 11-compliant logging of inputs providing audit trail data and include logging of pressure, time, and temperature parameters. Additionally, logging of seal force (load cells) pressure during sealing cycle is available as a machine option. Access control to the machine and its functions can be programmed according to the operator levels required.
Machine features. Accessibility to both the machine and interface are among many of the new features Nelipak incorporated into this new model. Built in stainless steel, the casing is compatible with class 7 and 8 cleanroom manufacturing and results in lower cleaning requirements. The NX-T1 is fitted with a new compact air cylinder with the same pressure force as Nelipak’s SH-BT1 model and features a new frame connection equipped with load cells to measure sealing force.
The NX-T1 sealer is built with the operator in mind, with an ergonomic design that reduces physical strain with all controls. Power, airline and communication plug-ins are in easy-to-reach locations. The NX-T1 comes with RJ45 socket connection for network communication, 2x USB connection ports for printer, or other peripheral USB equipment.
A new hood-opening feature allows ease of service access from the front of the unit. Pneumatic and electric components inside the machine are separated for ease of servicing. Full 360-deg access is possible with the hood removed for maintenance and validation work.
