The Value of Load Cells for Pharmaceutical Industry

An aging population means ample opportunities for developing new medications to treat age-related health issues. Start-up drug research firms with an eye to expansion are hard at work developing next-level pharmaceutical products to treat osteoporosis, diabetes and other diseases that afflict an increasing number of people worldwide. When accurate measurements are critically important, specialized load cell measurement devices will help assure quality control.

Load cells convert physical force into measurable electric impulses. When force is applied to a load cell, the force distorts the cell. This generates an impulse that can be sent either wirelessly or by a wired connection to a display screen or computer. This conversion process is fast and extremely accurate, and since data can be channeled directly to a computer program, real-time analysis is possible.

Load cell scales range from those able to measure a few grams to those designed to weigh gigantic tanks and trucks. The technology is highly flexible and customizable to users’ needs. Load cells and torque sensors can be designed to measure rotational force, the amount of pressure applied within a machine, temperature and many other types of forces. Websites like http://www.transducertechniques.com have extensive information about the various kinds of load cells available today.

In the pharmaceutical industry, each tablet or capsule must contain an exact dosage of medication. Load cells are useful in measuring and controlling the amount of compound forced into capsules. Load cells attached to tablet presses can assure that each pill is precisely the same size and dosage. Precision in size assures that patients are receiving neither too much nor too little of the drug. Since too little medicine can be ineffective and too much can be dangerous, it’s clear that load cells help prevent harm to patients.

Protecting patients also protects the bottom line. Lawsuits from unhappy or injured consumers can be costly, particularly if there are widespread dosage problems. Adverse publicity caused by injuries or deaths can effect product sales. Using the most accurate measuring equipment can help prevent these difficulties.

Mixers and compressors utilize a variety of sensors to monitor and control the manufacturing process. Torque sensors assure that mixing equipment is operating at the correct speed. Load cell sensors control ingredient quantities as they enter the mixing vats. Exiting mixtures are also monitored by load cells. Since each batch of medication should have the same weight, variations in mixed batch weight indicate further quality analysis is warranted. Sensors can be calibrated to sound an alarm when batches are outside allowable weight tolerances. By providing rapid data collection through signal conditioning to monitoring devices, consistent product quality is assured.

Raw materials are weighed using load cell scales. The degree of force used to move pills through the various manufacturing steps is monitored with load cells attached to take off bars and conveyor belts. Load cells play an important role in these and many other steps in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process. They help assure a safer product for consumers and more profit for the industry.

Republished with Permission from Everything Small Business Journal – http://esbjournal.com.