The pharmaceutical sector has developed alternative drying techniques. However, vacuum tray drying technology is still a vital tool for procedures and products that are fragile or delicate when subjected to mechanical forces.
For the best drying conditions and consistency, PSL's CakeStand™ vacuum tray dryer technology uses direct heating shelves and a completely sealed vacuum chamber.
Cleanrooms, downflow booths and containment isolators are among the environments in which CakeStand™ tray dryers can be used. The design features of CakeStand™ also ensure products being processed are protected and that the equipment is easy for operators to use.
Download the Brochure for More Information
Features and Benefits
An All-In-One Solution
PSL's CakeStand™ tray dryers combine direct heated shelves with a vacuum chamber to achieve validated uniform heating of +/-1 °C across the shelves, essential for producing consistently high-quality end products. This feature helps meet the most rigorous batch-processing requirements.
Image Credit: Powder Systems
cGMP Design
Originally designed and engineered for pharmaceutical applications, CakeStand™ tray dryers have features that adhere to cGMP.
- Suspended shelves prevent the formation of difficult-to-clean product "pockets" or product traps.
- Manufactured from internal metallic product contact parts with controlled surface finishes for simple cleaning validation, featuring regulated edge and corner radiuses.
- Flat metallic door at the front to facilitate ease of clean down in cleanroom or isolator environments.
- Utility connection points conveniently positioned to be kept out of the process room are installed in a through-wall configuration for ease of maintenance.
Batch Reproducibility and Data Recording
CakeStand™ tray dryers are available as independent equipment designed for client/third-party integration. They are also suitable for use in combination with a software and automation package.
Drug producers are able to increase the speed and flexibility of their manufacturing processes by pre-designing and pre-loading software process recipes which contain the process parameters required to achieve their unique production requirements, all thanks to the PSL Automation Platform.
The PSL Platform complies with important international software automation standards and regulations, such as GAMP5 (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice, version 5 by ISPE) and 21 CFR Part 11, established by the US FDA for electronic records and signatures.
Image Credit: Powder Systems
Be Containment-Ready
Operator intervention during the drying phase is not necessary with CakeStand™ tray dryers but loading and unloading product trays is carried out manually. This means if the substance is potent or toxic, as is frequently the case in pharmaceutical applications involving API or HPAPI, product containment are required for safety reasons.
Depending on product classification, several containment strategies can be employed. PSL's CakeStand™ tray dryers are flexible enough to be integrated with many of them:
- Independently within the downflow booth.
- Incorporated into a downflow booth's rear wall to reduce the space taken up in the valuable air-swept area.
- Integrated within the rear wall of an isolator: tray dryer size restrictions may apply therefore PSL's experience of designing containment isolators to address the ergonomic challenges of working through gloves is invaluable.
Image Credit: Powder Systems
Download the Brochure for More Information
Technical Overview
Shelf and Tray Configurations
Source: Powder Systems
| . |
. |
. |
qsdqsd |
. |
. |
| Typical number of Shelves (min / max) |
3 / 6 |
2 / 4 |
3 / 6 |
5 / 10 |
6 / 12 |
| Useful Shelf Area (min / max) (m²) |
0.18 / 0.38 |
0.75 / 1.5 |
2 / 4 |
4 / 8 |
6.5 / 13 |
| Chamber Volume |
85 L |
350 L |
530 L |
1350 L |
2200 L |
| Downflow Booth Integration |
Yes |
| PSL GloveBox Integration |
Yes |
No |
Other configurations are available upon request, please liaise with your PSL point of contact.