Why is temperature control crucial in pharmaceutical glass production?

Temperature control in annealing furnaces used in pharmaceutical glass production goes beyond technical requirements - it is essential for fundamental safety. Many years of experience in the industry have taught us that there are three important factors that make precise temperature control absolutely essential.

Firstly, proper temperature control in annealing furnaces ensures the safety of everyone involved in the process. Without it, we run the risk of product damage, equipment failure and staff exposure. Secondly, pharmaceutical companies must comply with stringent SIL standards, which means certified equipment must be used for key tasks such as temperature monitoring. Thirdly, precision pharmaceutical production requires minimal measurement errors, making accurate temperature monitoring systems irreplaceable.

The production of glass vials for the pharmaceutical industry requires constant attention to temperature settings. Working with manufacturers of drug delivery systems and diagnostic solutions, we have repeatedly found that SIL-certified temperature control systems play a key role in maintaining product integrity. Annealing processes are particularly important, as temperature fluctuations can weaken the glass components that protect valuable pharmaceutical products.

The right temperature control systems offer more than just regulatory compliance. They ensure that pharmaceutical packaging maintains consistent quality and safety - something that both healthcare providers and patients rely on every day.

How does poor temperature control during annealing affect glass quality? The customer's challenge

The client, a manufacturer of pharmaceutical glass packaging, was faced with the need to implement a SIL-compliant temperature measurement system that could ensure the highest level of reliability and safety in annealing furnaces. This was a key part of the production process for pharmaceutical glass vials, where precision and compliance are absolutely essential.

An additional challenge was to find an alternative to the competitors' existing equipment. The current solutions did not fully meet the precision and certification requirements, which could negatively affect the quality and safety of production. The customer was therefore looking for a more technologically advanced solution.

Furthermore, the customer's specific needs required dual thermocouples with 3-point calibration certification and equipment compliant with DIN EN 14597. All system components also had to be compatible with the existing infrastructure, which added to the complexity of the project.

How does a system consisting of SIL thermocouples and safety temperature limiters support the control of annealing processes in industrial furnaces? Our solution

Our long-standing collaboration with the client enabled us to implement a comprehensive SIL temperature control solution for their annealing furnaces. We delivered a system that provides precise temperature control of heat treatment and meets safety requirements.

We installed the following key components:

• 40 SIL dual thermocouples with 3-point calibration certification.
• A safety temperature limiter in accordance with DIN EN 14597 JUMO safetyM STB/STW.

These high-precision components form a robust temperature control system that significantly increases the safety and reliability of the annealing process. Each thermocouple undergoes a detailed 3-point calibration, ensuring exceptional temperature measurement accuracy during the annealing cycle.

The JUMO safetyM STB/STW temperature limiter sets our solution apart. It provides continuous monitoring and immediate response to temperature anomalies. This is important because it means that the configuration exceeds the regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical glass production.

How has the implementation of a temperature measurement system increased the safety of the annealing process? Customer benefits

Our SIL temperature control system has brought significant improvements to the safety and efficiency of the annealing process. Key benefits include:

• Increased process safety: Significant reduction in temperature-related incidents.
• Full regulatory compliance: Meeting all SIL certification requirements for pharmaceutical production.
• Minimised production risks: Significant reduction in temperature measurement errors.
• Improved quality control: Improved consistency in glass vial production.

Temperature control of the annealing furnaces now operates with greater precision and reliability. Product quality has improved significantly. Customer operational safety has reached a new level, strengthening its position as a trusted supplier in the pharmaceutical packaging industry.

The reduction of risk in the production process is one of the greatest successes. Together, SIL's thermocouples and safety monitoring systems provide a reliable protective framework, effectively safeguarding equipment and personnel. This integrated temperature control has eliminated safety incidents while ensuring consistency of product quality throughout the production line.

This spectacular success has resulted in an extended collaboration. The client plans to implement these solutions in other production facilities. Their confidence in our experience and proven SIL systems forms the basis for future joint activities to further optimise their production processes.

Contact us and find out more about our range of measuring devices, controllers and regulators for industrial furnaces!

About the author

My name is Ewelina Szmit and I have been working in content marketing for several years, combining my professional skills with my passion for writing. I am convinced that even the most technical topics can be presented in an interesting and accessible way for everyone. Outside of work, I unleash my creativity by creating newspaper collages. I like to spend my free time being active, walking my dog or running.

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