GEMÜ Gebr. Müller Apparatebau GmbH + Co. KG

Based on the PD design, GEMÜ has applied state-of-the-art technology to design a new filling valve platform to expand on previous solution approaches, and to highlight new solutions in the area of fluid filling applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and biotech sectors.

Over many years, GEMÜ has developed relevant expertise in the area of filling processes in order to provide support for machine users and plant designers in overcoming application problems and supporting new technologies, and in designing the relevant new valve solutions. The PD design enables the moving parts of the actuator to be hermetically separated from the product area by the PD diaphragm, enabling a very high number of switching cycles and a high positioning accuracy. The filling valve platform achieves impressive, previously unheard of actuator speeds of up to 300 mm/s (over ten times the opening and closing speeds of previous valves), while at the same time offering unparalleled protection for the diaphragm.

The filling valve platform includes the following variants: The F40 valve as a pneumatic version, and the types F60 and F62 as the first electrical filling valve versions. The pneumatically operated F40 versions (depending on version) can be equipped with all GEMÜ automation components such as stroke limiters, electrical position indicators, and controllers.

The unique, innovative filling valve platform can be used in all filling processes, in hygienic areas right up to aseptic plants in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and food and beverage industries. The new filling valves are also suitable for industrial processes and corrosive media. In particular due to its unique PTFE seal system without lift effect, the newly developed filling valve platform is ideally suited to all media containing oils and fat, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. At the same time, the flow-optimized valve body and PD geometry enable optimized CIP/SIP processes, which is particularly important for improved cleaning of all media-wetted parts, especially for viscous media.

The pneumatic version of GEMÜ F40 is also ideally suited for the media distribution (vacuum, liquid, and gaseous media) for all types of filling machines.

GMP-compliant and paperless
Maintenance of plant components using RFID

The requirements for GMP-compliant production in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries mean that manufacturers and OEMs (have to) comprehensively document numerous work steps. This includes keeping check lists, maintenance books, plant plans and inventory lists, as well as taking various approaches to ensure the captive identification of every component.

Advantages

• Captive electronic identification
of the valve body, actuator and diaphragm

• Simplified identification and inventory
of devices in the fi eld

• Increased process reliability
thanks to electronic traceability

• Electronic documentation
by preparing job-specific documents (e.g. certifi cates)

• Optimized maintenance processes
thanks to a maintenance log book

• Improved IQ
(installation qualifi cation)

• Paperless maintenance

GEMÜ M600

Classic designs of valves, fittings and pipework components have high space requirements. They also require a correspondingly high installation and welding eff ort, which results in increased validation costs. Using multi-port valve blocks means that weld seams are no longer necessary in the product area, for example, and that space requirements can be significantly reduced.

Features

• Individual, customized and very fl exible design

• Compact – low space requirements

• Low hold-up volume, smaller wetted area

• Greatly reduced deadlegs

• All blocks are designed for optimized draining and machined from one block of material

• Much greater product reliability

• No internal welds: reduced and simple validation due to fewer fittings, welds and radiographic inspections

• Operators and diaphragms from the proven GEMÜ modular system can be used