[Pharmaceutical Industry Surface Treatment Case] Achieving Automation of Transport Equipment in Sterile Rooms

Solve the "clogging" of the eye drop resin bottle production line! Achieve reduced maintenance of transport equipment and automation of the clean room with fluorine coating!

This is a case of surface treatment for equipment that transports eye drop bottles arranged in a line, which are dispensed from a prescription. ■Problems to Solve Eye drop bottles were being transported in a manner where they were pushed out one after another over the transport chute. However, on the flat metal surface of the chute, the bottles tended to stick and were difficult to slide, leading to blockages and tipping during transport. ■Goals to Achieve Due to the need for minimal human traffic in the sterile room, it was necessary to use the equipment for at least six months without maintenance, and a surface treatment that improves sliding was requested. ■Background for Coating Selection While fluororesin coatings, which have excellent sliding properties, initially performed well, the surface would become polished due to friction with the bottles. Once worn down to a flat and smooth state, the sliding ability decreased, leading to issues. Additionally, a method was considered where the substrate would be pre-treated to form a rough surface before coating, thereby reducing the contact area. However, since different metals such as aluminum and stainless steel were used for the chute substrate, variations in hardness led to significant changes in surface roughness, and difficulties in processing arose depending on the material. ■Adopted Coating 'TP Coating' ▼ Click here for details on the coating!

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