New Benchtop Machine Offers Breakthrough Versatility

When the curtain rises at Chicago's Pack Expo 2008, Filamatic will unveil The AdaptaFil Benchtop, a revolutionary semi-automatic filling machine. Five years in the making, the new Benchtop filler will offer customers a level of functionality and versatility seen only in fully automatic filling systems. The AdaptaFil Benchtop's patent pending technology features four easy-changeover metering systems, electronic networking capabilities and sophisticated, user-friendly controls all in a small and sleek stainless steel package about the size of a microwave. The AdaptaFil Benchtop promises to revolutionize and redefine semi-automatic filling operations.

Comprehensive Controls
"This machine is revolutionary and there are two reasons why," said Rudy Arn, Filamatic's President and COO. "First we're offering customers four interchangeable metering systems on one Benchtop machine – that's something that's never been done before. Second, the sophistication of our controls is state-of-the-art. We can store and recall hundreds of recipes and, because the device is network ready, we can move that information with ease to additional machines. Beyond that, the HMI touch screen is simple to work with. We've also added additional features including weight compensation and batch counting."

Innovation - Four Ways to Fill
The new filler is built on a radical concept. "Right now," said Filamatic Chief Electrical Engineer, Jack Chopper, "there are four different filling technologies that are popular in semi-automatic Benchtop machines: peristaltic, gear, lobe, and piston pumps. Until now, no one has built a base that offers interchangeability for all four of those filling technologies. That's what we've done here." To make interchangeability even more appealing to customers, the engineering team designed a tool-less changeover, saving time and making clean room applications more attractive.

Flexibility - Meeting the Needs of the Market
Over several meetings with their customer advisory board, which consists of a select group of prospects and existing Benchtop customers, Filamatic engineers presented drawings and ideas for the flexible AdaptaFil design and solicited feedback. The Filamatic team found a high level of enthusiasm and listened carefully. "We were trying to build the ideal semi-automatic Benchtop and we were determined to meet the needs of the market," said Arn. "So we listened. And we got some great advice about keeping things simple, which is exactly what we did."

Filamatic sees the AdaptaFil Benchtop as a boon for contract packagers, where frequent application changes are a way of life. Other potential markets are pharmaceuticals, biotech, diagnostic, food, specialty chemicals and start up firms that require liquid filling.

About Filamatic
Filamatic, a division of National Instrument, LLC, manufactures liquid filling equipment and integrated liquid packaging systems. They have been serving the pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, cosmetic, chemical specialty and food industries since 1950 and have thousands of liquid filling machines in operation around the world. For more information visit their website at www.filamatic.com or visit the Filamatic booth #1147 at Pack Expo 2008.

SOURCE: Filamatic