More safety for multi-level goods transport

More safety for multi-level goods transportMüller Processing_alt



Highly effective substances are used in biotechnology in the manufacture of highly effective medicines, e.g. for cancer drugs. Müller Processing has integrated a customized system for Alexion in Ireland for the safe transport of goods, which also ensures personal protection during the handling process.


Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products that help people with rare diseases and contribute to improved lives. Its 2,500 employees worldwide develop medicines that help patients in 50 countries every day.

Due to ever-growing needs, a production expansion became necessary for Alexion in 2017. The company envisaged a new all-in-one solution, including the transport of goods within cleanroom class C over several floors. Müller Processing quickly grasped the customer's needs and came up with solutions that were equally functional and economical.

Optimum production processes

The aim of the complete solution is to

  • to transport the materials, which vary in weight (from 150 to 500 kg), over several floors in order to
  • to dock onto the feeders and to
  • feed the reactors.

One of the key customer requirements reads as follows: On the one hand, production processes should be efficient and improved with regard to volume handling, ease of operation and safety: An optimal workflow is achieved when man and machine as well as processes are perfectly adapted, while ensuring personal protection in accordance with the applicable regulations (including laser scanners and light barriers).

The technical challenge for Müller Processing was to adapt the level of automation with the existing control system in such a way that manual intervention is possible at any time - thus resulting in double protection.

The following options are available to the operating personnel of the system for manual intervention in the process:

  • Signal exchange of the transport basket per floor
  • emergency stop switch and
  • additional release function of the process

The main components of the new systems are mobile lifting columns and transport platforms that feed large reactors, some of whose feed nozzles are located at a height of five meters. There, the containers are picked up in a standardized manner by lifting column systems so that they can dock at the reactors and be filled.

Multi-stage risk assessment for optimum process reliability

In total, depending on the design, 150 kg to 1.5 t can be transported variably and vertically to different floors in the flexible systems. The production process takes place in cleanroom class C. To meet these requirements, Müller Processing has integrated appropriate systems in GMP design, made of ground or polished stainless steel for cleanroom applications.

During the realization phase, a project team consisting of employees from Alexion and Müller Processing worked together intensively for a year. The customer's requirements were discussed and implemented in a targeted manner thanks to the great process engineering understanding of the Müller Processing employees. After installation, Müller Processing also provided training on machine operation and system maintenance, among other things. The approach of the professionals from Rheinfelden in Germany was once again confirmed in this project: Solutions are to be developed with customers and require constant learning on both sides. This results in the best possible solution approach. Müller Processing has been convincing customers with this customer-centric approach for over 50 years.



Contact


Stöckli
Ralf Stöckli
Mueller logo Müller Group
Communication Manager Group
E-Mail
 +41 76 340 24 07