Vial trays are the unsung heroes of the pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturing and supply chain. Without these sturdy and robust pieces of kit, pharma production, vial serialization, and medication distribution will grind to a halt. High-quality trays are not only desirable, but they are also must-haves.
If you work within this industry, and in particular within this supply chain, you probably already have a wealth of different trays at your facility. These trays are likely to be fairly reliable, and are capable of providing an adequate service across your operations. The problem is this — we’re talking about a high number of trays, and so relatively minor issues can quickly get out of hand if they start affecting more and more of your trays.
So what’s the solution? You may need an alternative to the metal and plastic vial trays you are already using — a solution like the Hurst polycarbonate vial tray. Read on to discover more.
The Problem with Metal and Plastic Vial Trays
Industrial facilities have been using metal and plastic trays in their vial production and handling procedures for decades, and they’ve been achieving pretty good results with these solutions. But pretty good is not perfect — in fact, far from it. Again and again, facility managers are finding that their vial trays don’t quite cut it in terms of performance and reliability. So what exactly is the problem here?
Metal Vial Trays — The Issues
There are a number of specific problems associated with metal vial trays. These include:
- Metal trays tend to be heavy, making handling difficult on larger operations.
- They are expensive to purchase and to replace.
- Even stainless steel can be prone to oxidization which can cause a range of issues — both structurally and public health-related — within the vial tray.
- Metal trays are strong but can dent easily.
- The trays will need to be replaced every one or two years.
Plastic Vial Trays — The Issues
Plastic vial trays are cheaper than metal trays but also have their own associated problems.
- While they do not oxidize, they are less structurally sound than metal trays.
- Plastic vial trays can crack and become damaged easily.
- The plastic trays may be cheaper to replace than metal vial trays, but the one-to-two-year lifecycle is still a logistical and budgeting headache.
Whether you’re using metal or plastic vial trays in your facility, you need a viable alternative. This is where Hurst’s polycarbonate trays can make all the difference.
Introducing Hurst Polycarbonate Vial Trays
At first glance, polycarbonate vial trays look somewhat similar to plastic vial trays. This is because polycarbonate is a form of plastic, but it is far stronger and more lightweight than traditional plastic materials. Hurst has harnessed the power of this material, creating robust and easy-to-use trays for the modern pharma production and vial serialization supply chain.
Features of Hurst Vial Trays
What sort of features can you expect from a Hurst vial tray? We work with Hurst because we are impressed with the quality of the trays they provide, and also the range of features they have built into their products. We’ve covered some of these key features below.
Designed and Tested with Strength in Mind
Your facility needs strong and robust vial tray solutions that are built to stand up to lengthy and repeated usage. Metal and plastic trays often come up short in this regard, but the polycarbonate of the Hurst tray is designed to provide this kind of strength and has been thoroughly tested to guarantee it.
Regulatory Compliance
Regulatory compliance is a critical part of food and drug manufacture and distribution, and Hurst’s vial trays have achieved FDA Title 21 approval.
Impact Resistance
The polycarbonate materials are highly resistant to impact, which means they exhibit none of the cracking and denting associated with plastic or metal vial trays, even after long-term use.
Anti-Mold Materials
The material is also mold-resistant, which works to prevent wastage and shrinkage by eliminating many of the pathogens that can sometimes be found on other types of trays. Batches are manufactured and delivered as planned, with no unexpected losses along the way. Cleaning and maintenance are also made much easier.
Integration with Automated Solutions
Hurst vial loading trays are designed to integrate fully with automated packaging machinery, supporting a forward-thinking approach to industrial automation and smart development systems.
Suitable for Manual Handling
Manual handling will still have a role to play in the future of vial and ampule processing. Hurst vial trays feature side handles designed with an ergonomic grip for easy lifting and moving.
Versatile Trays for Different Vial Sizes
The Hurst trays are designed to be versatile, enabling reliable processing even for smaller-diameter vials and ampules. This is achieved thanks to 90° walls within the tray’s interior to hold these smaller items securely.
Innovative Surfaces
Vial trays feature an innovative ‘orange peel’ surface as part of the decking, intended to minimize friction during loading and handling. Vials and ampules are less likely to become stuck during the process, and the trays are less likely to catch within automated packaging and loading solutions.
Perforated Options Available
Hurst trays are available with additional perforations when required. This can be very useful in providing extra aeration to batches that will benefit from this.
Lockable and Positional Gates
The tray gates are constructed with a lock-in-place grabber design to improve rigidity and reliability during use. You and your team can also choose multiple gate positions depending on your needs.
Explore Our Range of Hurst Vial Trays
Here at Chemtech, we want to provide our customers with the products they need to get the job done in the right way. This includes delivering the vial trays that pharma developers, manufacturers, and distributors rely on. Our Hurst range offers the tough, lightweight, reliable vial trays you’re looking for. Check out our product pages to learn more, and reach out to our team if you have any questions about our products.