Maximum safety on castors

When maximum precision is required in pharmaceutical production, even the smallest details must function reliably. MAVAG AG, based in Neunkirch, Switzerland, develops systems for filtration, drying and stirring processes that are used in sensitive areas of research and active ingredient production. A system was developed for a Swiss manufacturer of research chemicals whose floor must be moved flexibly for cleaning work.

The system is located in a GMP-regulated production area that is also potentially explosive. GMP standards ensure worldwide that pharmaceutical active ingredients are produced under controlled conditions, with maximum cleanliness and complete documentation. Every component of a system must therefore be hygienically flawless, easy to clean and permanently reliable. At the same time, it is an Ex environment – i.e. an area in which potentially explosive atmospheres can arise, for example due to solvent vapours or fine solid particles. In such zones, every machine and every component must be designed in such a way that it cannot cause any ignition sources. This also includes the safe dissipation of electrostatic charges. However, it quickly became apparent during the plant's operation that the standard castors used to date had reached their limits. The uneven floor conditions and the resulting point loads overwhelmed the design.

The new LPDX-SPO-ELS heavy-duty stainless steel series from Blickle met all requirements – and exceeded them in important respects. MAVAG equipped three plants with these castors and immediately benefited from their sophisticated design. The fork head, made entirely of high-quality stainless steel with a hardened precision swivel head, offers enormous stability and excellent load capacity. The smooth surface facilitates cleaning and supports compliance with high hygiene standards. Thanks to the very low rolling and swivel resistance, the heavy plant floor can be moved easily and in a controlled manner despite its weight. The series is also available in an electrically conductive version for hazardous areas – a key contribution to safety, as electrostatic charges are reliably dissipated. Another plus point for MAVAG: the rapid availability of the new standard series from Blickle, which enabled the project to be implemented quickly.

With the new stainless steel heavy-duty castors from Blickle, MAVAG obtained a durable, hygienic and robust solution that functions reliably even in the most demanding GMP and Ex environments. The first practical application of the new series was thus a complete success – for MAVAG, for the end customer and for a product line that combines the highest quality with genuine everyday practicality.