TPi January 2020

Products & developments

PureWeld XL tubing stands up to technical challenges of continuous bioprocessing

choosing PureWeld XL tubing for the production of new medicines.” According to WMFTG, continuous processing has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of biologics manufacturing, reducing production costs and hence the price of pharmaceuticals. In order to achieve this, all single-use components must be able to maintain integrity for extended production cycles of up to 90 days. Single-use peristaltic pump tubing must therefore not only deliver an extended pump life, but also maintain a consistent fluid transfer process flow rate throughout processing times while resisting dynamic wear. Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group www.watson-marlow.com The bending machine for this solution features a centre-line booster and three bending planes, plus the plane where the cutting tool is used. transfluid is a worldwide partner for manufacturing tube bending machines and tube processing machines. The company has been developing its technologies for tube machining since 1988, and can provide customer- oriented, tailor-made solutions, for plant and machine construction, the automotive and energy industries, shipbuilding and medical device manufacturers. Advanced Fabricating Machinery is transfluid’s representative in the USA. transfluid Maschinenbau GmbH www.transfluid.net Advanced Fabricating Machinery www.advancedfab.com

Single Use Event in Antwerp, Belgium, last year also showed that PureWeld XL maintained a constant flow throughout its lifespan whilst both other tubing types reduced dramatically after only a few hours. Dr Palmer looked deeper into the implications this has for drug manufacturers and process engineers in the future. He said: “This recent study confirms the need for drug manufacturers to consider the lifespan and quality of all components when designing a continuous bioprocessing system. “WMFTG is always seeking to improve its offerings. The growing adoption of single-use technologies in bioprocess- ing has propelled tubing from a minor to a major component of the manu- facturing process, and the results of these tests demonstrate the benefits of

A recent study from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) has found that its PureWeld XL tubing offers extended lifespan and steady flow consistency compared to other brands, thus overcoming the technical challenges associated with continuous bioprocessing in the pharmaceutical industry. In the study, which compared PureWeld XL with two industry-recognised types of TPE tubing and tested pump performance against elevated discharge pressures, peristaltic life and flow stability, PureWeld XL showed an average lifetime of around 293 hrs, compared to 119 hrs and 10 hrs for its two competitors. The results of the study, which were shared by Dr Chris Palmer, tubing product manager at WMFTG, at the

Precise engine manifold with two-blade cutting

in this case have two or three bends, with the cut made straight after the last bend or between two bends. No additional follow-up cuts are required.

transfluid has developed a t bend system that enables the processing of tubes of up to 60mm with a bending radius of 1 x D. Most of the tubes produced

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL January 2020

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