Trays are your main means of transportation during the gel capsule drying and vial loading process, so the material of your trays clearly matters. When you choose the highest quality material, it significantly adds time and cost benefit to your overall production cycle.
However, with the wide range of trays currently available, and the many other factors you need to take into consideration – ease of cleaning, weight, lifespan, resistance to corrosion, breakage, and temperature changes – it is no surprise your buying decision becomes an extremely difficult and confusing one to make.
Chemtech International has over 30 years of experience working with top tier manufacturers in pharmaceutical trays, and we are here to help you with your selection process.
Based on our extensive research and analysis, we have found gel cap drying trays and vial trays made from composite materials offer the most value and widest range of benefits, compared to other material types. Here are some things you may want to know about vial loading trays and gel cap drying trays before making a buying decision.
Gel Cap Drying Trays
Gel cap drying trays are specifically designed for drying and curing of capsules and soft gels. While the use of tumble dryer removes most of the moisture on soft gels and capsules after encapsulation, it does not remove the moisture completely. Additional drying is needed to prevent sticking and marking.
With the drop sides and ends feature, gel cap drying trays significantly improve the drying process by allowing air to circulate over and around the capsules, for more thorough, speed drying. The contoured edges and rounded corners of gel cap drying trays also prevent moisture or residue from accumulating, so you do not need to worry about marks or contamination problems.
We know your personnel’s safety is important to you. The secure grip of gel cap drying trays provides easy lifting with no sharp edges, ensuring the safety of your workers is protected. Heavy-duty dollies are also available to provide safe, easy transportation of trays by your personnel.
Vial Trays
Vial trays offer a wide range of handling and storage functions to meet your pharmaceutical processing needs. They can be continuously used in temperatures from as low as -60° F (-51° C) to as high as 250° F (121° C). Steel trays with molybdenum additives are ideal for these temperatures. Special formulations are also available for temperatures between 300° and 400° F.
There are several types of tray gates available to accommodate varying temperatures. Tray gates made with polypropylene are for normal uses in temperatures less than 180° F, and polycarbonate or stainless gates are recommended for temperatures exceeding 180° F.
Vial trays feature a tapered front lip for easier loading and unloading, helping to improve the efficiency of your processing and handling process.
Why composite?
Composite materials are highly versatile and functional, offering you a wide range of performance and cost benefits compared to plastic and metal materials.
Unlike plastic or metal trays, which are prone to bending and cracking when dropped or improperly handled, composite vial trays offer stronger durability and resistance to warping and distortion.
Even under extreme temperatures, composite trays have the capability to maintain its structural integrity completely. Plastic trays, for example, cannot handle heat well – it will melt under high temperatures and can break at lower temperatures. In the manufacturing process, temperature changes are expected, so resistance to cracking and bending is a must.
Given its structural stability, composite trays provide easy, seamless integration into automated machinery and robotic applications, further improving the overall efficiency of your manufacturing cycle.
Composite trays are also very easy to clean because of its smooth, non-porous surface. Metal materials, on the other hand, are a poor choice given its textured surfaces, making the trays vulnerable to contamination and marks on soft gels.
With composite trays, you do not need to worry about corrosion problems. Unlike plastic materials, which are susceptible to corrosion when exposed to chemical exposure and substances, composite materials can withstand a wide range of exposure and substances.
What’s more, trays made with composite materials are much lighter in weight compared to metal trays, so composite trays can be solidly stacked even under heavy loads, saving you space and streamlining your handling and loading process.
The lifespan of composite trays is another major cost benefit to you. With proper use and maintenance, it is possible to make your trays a one-time expense, so you do not need to replace your trays repeatedly as with plastic or disposable trays.
The most advanced composite trays require sophisticated manufacturing technologies and high grade materials to meet all FDA and NSF regulations. Strict quality control is absolutely required to maintain the high performance quality of composite trays.
Since 1992, Chemtech has been an Authorized Distributor of Molded Fiber Glass Co., U.S.A. to market its FRP composite trays, and we have been the supplier of choice for many domestic and global customers. Our FRP composite trays are made from a proprietary fiberglass blend, making our gel cap drying trays and vial loading trays stronger, more durable and temperature resistant for maximum performance and value.
For more information, check out our website or contact me at neel@chemtech-usa.com.