Bosch presents new laboratory system FHM 1000

New Laboratory System FHM 1000 With the new FHM 1000 series, Bosch Packaging Technology presents semi-automatic, modular laboratory systems for filling liquid pharmaceuticals.

Simple scale-up to production scale The filling parameters of the laboratory system FHM 1000 are set in the laboratory and then transferred to the production machines via scale-up.

• - Compact, modular, and upgradable
• - Easy scale-up to production scale
• - Early involvement of customers in the development process

With the new FHM 1000 series, Bosch Packaging Technology, one of the leading providers of process and packaging technology, presents semi-automatic, modular laboratory systems for filling liquid pharmaceuticals. The first prototype of the series was presented to industry professionals at the Crailsheim Pharma Day in May 2013. The new development is particularly suitable for pharmacists as well as for use in laboratories and early clinical trials. The filling parameters can be easily transferred to production systems via "Scale-Up": all relevant key figures are measured and set in the laboratory, and then transferred to the actual production machine without further adjustment.

Early involvement of customers and end users
The basis for the FHM 1000 prototype was development work with early involvement of customers and end users. "The goal is to offer our customers compact and modular laboratory filling systems that support processes in everyday work," said Joachim Brenner, Site Manager Crailsheim and responsible for the Pharma Liquid product portfolio at Bosch worldwide. The FHM series significantly contributes to simplifying the "Design of Experiments" (DoE, statistical experimental planning) for customers. By storing parameters, the relationship between influencing factors and target variables can be determined more precisely, incorporating customer experiences ("User Experience").

"User Experience" approach successfully implemented
This "User Experience" development approach has already been successfully applied within the Bosch Group. In the field of electromobility, for example, very early involvement of potential end customers in the design and development process quickly led to the market readiness of several products. "Thus, it made sense to also utilize the internal know-how in the pharmaceutical sector. In an interdisciplinary team of development and market experts, we were able to successfully implement the User Experience approach in our new laboratory system FHM 1000," said Andreas Groß, Product Manager at Bosch Packaging Technology.

Four different modules
The laboratory system currently consists of four different modules: the user interface (Human Machine Interface, HMI), the filling module, the weighing module, and the needle movement. The core of the FHM 1000 laboratory system is the HMI, which controls all automatic processes. The filling process with the filling needle movement and weighing via in-process control (IPC) are parameterized via the HMI. The input and output of the packaging material, however, are manual. "The stored results and parameters are highly scalable and transferable, for example to high-performance lines," explained Groß.

The prototype runs with a peristaltic pump. In the next step, additional filling modules, such as with a rotary piston pump, are planned. Depending on the need, the different filling systems can then be flexibly exchanged. The integration of a capping module is also planned. Here, the packaging materials can be fitted with different stoppers. A protective cover for both the filling module and the needle movement ensures product and operator safety. All modules comply with the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. "Our customers were able to get an initial impression of our new development at Pharma Day. The reactions have encouraged us to develop the laboratory system even further, more quickly," said Brenner.