How to Select the Right Vial Tray for Your Project

We understand that our customers need vial trays they can rely on to achieve operational efficiency and viability during production and beyond. This is why you’ll find Hurst vial trays within our Chemtech product roster. But how do you make sure you have chosen the right tray for your needs?

To help you make your selection, we’ve produced this handy guide. Of course, all projects and applications are unique and will feature individualized requirements and performance metrics. However, some requirements are universal — the trays must be the right size, compatible with equipment and solutions, fit the vials they are intended to handle and work well within your facility’s space. Read on as we explore this in more detail, and discover how to choose the right vial tray for your particular project.

Automated Machinery Integration

Automated machinery has revolutionized a number of different aspects of vial processing. These automated solutions can achieve consistent standardization of vial doses, filling each vial to the dosage specifications and finishing every product according to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) strict regulatory code. Robots and similar solutions are also deployed in picking and packing, working autonomously to locate vial batches within the storage space and then loading them according to pre-programmed requirements.

But, for automation and autonomous operation to be successful, solutions must be compatible with one another. This includes vial storage and processing trays. You need trays that match the specific configuration of your conveyance and filling systems so that each dose is up to code. In addition to this, you need trays that your robotic picking and packing solutions can interact with — trays that can be located and handled by autonomous robots.

Chemtech provides robust Hurst vial trays built with automated packaging and filling machinery in mind. This includes slide trays that make robotic interaction and handling easy, as well as trays in a range of dimensions to suit different production line setups.

Configuration Flexibility

Vials must be protected from harm when placed within the tray. On the one hand, this means working with robust solutions that can withstand the rigors of everyday usage — we’ve already touched on the sturdy nature of the Hurst composite trays we offer as part of our product range. On the other hand, you also need trays that are designed to match the load they are carrying. You don’t want fragile vials slipping and moving around within the tray, so you need a snug fit for your vials to prevent loss and damage.

Our range includes vial trays with removable inserts that can be positioned to achieve the right fit. Simply move the insert forward in the tray to reduce the storage volume, creating a compact fit for smaller loads, and move it back or remove it altogether to increase the volume within the tray.

Vial Type Compatibility

Different vial types require their own unique storage and handling solutions. While some vials come in standardized configurations, others may need more specialized trays to accommodate them. This is something to bear in mind as you select the right tray for your project. Choosing a tray that is incompatible with the vial type you will be using could damage the vial products themselves, translating to shrinkage and loss of profits.

The Hurst vial trays we stock in the Chemtech range are designed to fit a range of vial types. As well as standard products that are intended for more general vial configurations, we also stock custom-molded trays that achieve more specialized results. These molded trays can fit syringe vials, providing a snug form of containment that eliminates the risk of damage. The coronavirus pandemic showed us just how important swift manufacture and delivery of vaccine vials and medications is to our society, and these custom trays are ideal for supporting this on a large scale. Speak to our team to discover more about our custom options.

Dimension Requirements

It’s not just the internal dimensions or compatibility with automated solutions that you need to think about — you also need to consider how the vial tray will fit within your space. Perhaps you need smaller tray solutions designed to house a limited number of vials with easy access in mind. On the other hand, you might need something a bit larger, optimizing the efficiency of your facility by increasing your vial handling capabilities.

Stacking and storage are also concerns here. You may need stackable solutions to get the best out of your warehousing storage space, or you may need a different kind of setup. Our Chemtech product range has got you covered. We provide Hurst vial trays across a variety of different dimensions. Think about the space you are working with and make your selection accordingly.

Find Reliable Vial Tray Products in Our Range

There is something we haven’t mentioned in the points we listed above — materials. You need a vial tray that won’t crack or bend, a solution that is lightweight enough to optimize handling but with the toughness and sturdiness required to stand up to the rigors of daily usage.

Of course, this is an important thing to bear in mind. So why haven’t we included it on our list? We’ve omitted this because all of the products in our Hurst tray range feature the same fiberglass composite construction that makes them ideal for a variety of use cases. This fiberglass composite is resistant to wear and tear, corrosion, impact, and other risks that stem from a busy production environment. They are also lightweight and cost-effective, representing a great investment for businesses in the pharmaceutical field and other industries.

Check out our Chemtech product pages today, browse the various trays we provide, and learn more about the specifications of these trays in our product brochures. Get in touch with our team directly if you have any questions or queries about any of the products in our range, or use the form on our site to get a quote for your project.