Pharma grade rack, bin, large parts washer
The LC PH Series of pharmaceutical grade washers is a range of cabinet washers developed for all applications where it is necessary to wash and dry large volumes of items or large diameter / bulk components. Chamber capacity ranges from 4,250 to 10,500 litres and custom dimensions are always available upon request.
Available as single door or double door pass-through versions. The latter version provides an effective barrier system between zones in order to eliminate any risk of cross-contamination. As with the DS Series, different layout configurations are available: floor mounted or pit mounted (for direct floor loading), with automatic horizontal sliding doors or hinged doors, in full glass or stainless steel.
The chamber floor, manufactured with easily removable floor grating, allows the operator to walk with safety on it. The top and lateral oscillating washing arms guarantee perfect washing and drying results.
The inline heating elements, located in the hydraulic circuit, are pharma industry compliant, sanitary, and dead-leg free, fabricated from AISI 316L (1.4404) stainless steel and electro-polished. They may be connected to plant steam in the Steam heat exchanger version or directly to plant power in the Electrical heat exchanger version.
Steelco GMP washers are designed, manufactured, validated, and documented according to the latest global practices and standards to facilitate customer compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP’s).
Key features pharma grade rack, bin, large parts washer
Customizable solutions
- With more than 400 options and the widest range of chamber sizes available in the market, Steelco is able to meet the most challenging processing needs.
Unrivalled performance
- Detailed engineering of the sump and hydraulic circuit reduce water consumption and process time assuring high cleaning results.
Drying efficacy
- The double drying unit ensures high drying performance in a short drying period. The HEPA filter is placed in line at the end of the drying path before entering the chamber and rack.
Remote assistance
- The on-board VPN router communicates on the local network with the PLC and the HMI and allows remote connection from a computer, tablet, or smartphone without going on-site, drastically reducing support costs and improving machine uptime.
Easy Maintenance
- The machine is developed considering technicians’ access to the maintenance and service area – easy access to all components conforming to safety regulations.
Non-proprietary parts
- Only proven, non-proprietary, globally available components and automation systems. Steelco provides full details of every component allowing customers to source spare parts either from Steelco or from the original equipment manufacturer.
Reliable and hygienic construction
The washing chamber and the hydraulic system are designed and constructed with extreme care and have a surface finish with roughness average Ra<0.51 μm / 20μin (Ra<0.38 μm / 15μin available upon request). All wetted surfaces are crevice-free construction, with orbital welding for piping to eliminate water retention and stagnation points where biofilm could accumulate. AISI 316L stainless steel is used internally with EPDM, PTFE, or other FDA-approved (21CFR part 177) material gaskets. All models feature angled surfaces and rounded corners to ensure complete drainage. Detailed engineering on the sump reduces water consumption and assures high performance in terms of both cleaning and consumption. Multiple sanitary oscillating washing arms are located on the top and on the sides of the chamber to provide full washing and drying coverage for the items being processed, as well as the chamber.
Complete layout versatility
Available as a single door or double door pass-through version to provide an effective barrier system between zones. Offering hinged or sliding door models in various configurations: with an automatic motorized horizontally sliding mechanism, in high-visibility full glass, or in stainless steel. The electrical cabinet and the drying system can be integrated within the skid of the unit or remotely installed. The technical area can be on the right or left side; alternatively, it can be shared in the case of “inline” installation of a pair of machines.
Cycle development
Steelco pharma-grade washers can run different cycle recipes, selectable from the operator panel. Each recipe is a combination of the following phases with adjustable setpoints and durations:
- Pre-wash
- Wash with or without detergent(s)
- Rinse with or without recirculation
- Recirculated, single-pass, or sequential final rinse
- Drying
- Cooling
- In-between above steps, air purging of process piping is available to avoid any risk of cross-contamination
All standard or custom cycle recipes are analyzed and identified during the design phase, according to the items to be cleaned.
Effective sampling solutions
Sampling of process media is a key Quality Assurance requirement in any pharmaceutical cleaning process and cleaning validation procedure. Steelco offers a wide range of sampling systems to meet the most rigorous requirements:
- Water sampling from the sump
- Water sampling from final rinse system
- Water sampling from the point of use for each water
- Process compressed air line (PCA) sampling
- Clean steam sampling
For each sampling solution a T/C port, a manual or automatic valve can be installed in the technical service area or in an alcove on the machine fascia panel, according to client requirements.
Automatic manifold for bin washing solutions
Steelco LC Series washers can perform cleaning and drying of Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) and drums in pharmaceutical validated processes. Custom made for individual customer needs, these units feature the possibility to rotate both the container being cleaned and/or the spray nozzle arm 360° inside the load ensuring exceptional cleaning of all surfaces. The unit can be also configured for mixed loads: one automatic manifold for internal bin cleaning of bulk loads combined with a second cart connections for water injection of smaller items and components. The same injection ports can be used also to direct hot sterile filtered air inside each the items for drying.
Integrated Automation Architectures
Steelco provides a range of user-friendly control systems developed according to the latest ISPE GAMP© Guidelines and designed for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 compliance. System platforms available include Siemens or Rockwell/Allen-Bradley. Irrespective of the platform, all Steelco Pharma equipment (washers, autoclaves, etc) has a common look and feel, consistent interface, and common GMP data management. Four levels are available, ranging from a local, standalone system to being fully integrated with the client IS infrastructure, in which the machine SCADA and related databases are hosted on the client network, providing the highest levels of data integrity and allowing in-house IT support and maintenance. Dependent on client policy, Steelco offers remote access via a virtual private network (VPN) to provide support during start-up, qualification, and maintenance activities.
Quality engineering process and qualification services
Technical consulting, design, engineering, project management, as well as commissioning and qualification services of our equipment are offered, with customers appreciating the cost-effective, high-performance solutions offered to resolve complex washing and sterilization challenges. Design Qualification (DQ), Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) are provided with standard or customized protocols according to the final scope of supply. Customers are always welcome to visit Steelco factories to see design and manufacturing methods and audit our processes. Steelco Group is available anytime to support customers during all acceptance on-site including process and cycle development.
Customized trolley configurations
Steelco designs, develops, manufactures, and tests its own racks and trolleys in-house, ensuring that this critical process’ quality attribute is assured and providing a single point of responsibility for the design and function of the entire cleaning process. Steelco’s engineering experience and sophisticated 3D CAD programs provide that every point, corner, and cavity of an item to be processed is deeply and efficiently cleaned, thus avoiding the possibility of cross-contamination and eliminating all soil and contaminant residues from the previous process. The same injection porting is used to also convey hot sterile filtered air inside each cavity for effective drying.
Steelco pharma grade machines comply with the applicable requirements of the following regulations and industry accepted guidelines:
- cGMP
- GAMP 5
- FDA Regulation 21 CFR Part 11, 211, 820
- Eudralex
- ASME BPE
- PDA Technical Report
- European and US Pharmacopeia
- ISPE Guidelines
- UL and CSA (on demand)
Dimensions:
- Chamber volume: from 4.250 litres to 10.500 litres
- Custom dimensions available up on request
- Overall dimensions: The overall dimensions may vary according to machine configuration and customer’s requirements. Electrical cabinet may be installed remotely from the machine. Air Handling Unit as well as detergent reservoir may be installed remotely depending on space and operational requirements.