New aseptic assembly environment for Saunders HC4

Crane Process Flow Technologies (CPFT), a Crane company, has completed a major refurbishment programme of its finishing suite in Cwmbran, Wales, dedicated to the CPFT Saunders HC4 range of aseptic and sanitary diaphragm valves.

The unit itself has been expanded to cover an area of 875m². A new clean area has been added to house the final assembly and test facilities as well as designated storage areas for work in progress.

A double door system at all entry and exit points eliminates potential foreign body contamination and the unit's entire floor area has been re-covered in a self-levelling Teflon resin. All internal walls can be reconfigured to accommodate additional assembly facilities and special plastic stillage units have been incorporated to adhere to the strict 'no wood or iron' regulations.

Services are supplied under the floor and emerge into the clean assembly environment through special ports. Operators must wear dedicated workwear at all times while in contact with components or finished valves.

'Everything we've done here is aimed at creating a clean assembly environment that meets, and in many cases exceeds, the needs and expectations of our customers in the biopharmaceutical and aseptic processing industries,' says Nigel Wood, CPFT's operations manager. 'For example, stainless steel is the only material allowed in the suite, unless it has been coated beforehand.

'It's a completely self-contained unit, so the team can retain full control over all assembly and testing procedures. In effect, we've streamlined the entire Saunders HC4 process so the manufacture to customer route will flow much quicker.'

A viewing area has been added so customers can observe the aseptic assembly procedures of their own Saunders HC4 valves without having to enter the suite and risk affecting the integrity of the products.