ALLPACK Laboratory Instruments

1.What Are Laboratory Instruments?

Laboratory instruments in lab- Picture Courtesy: spm.so

From hand wash to fabricated goods and medicines, everything which we use in our daily life are directly or indirectly made by using certain instruments. Similarly, they also undergo testing for determination of their shelf life and effectiveness. Now, all these instruments which are used for experimentation, testing, and research of these products are called laboratory instruments.

In this way, we may conclude that laboratory instruments vary from one type of industry to another such as chemical industry uses different set of laboratory instruments while as engineering industry use other instruments. However, in this guide we will be particularly focusing on laboratory instruments which are used in pharmaceutical industry.

2.Why Laboratory Instruments Are Important In Pharmaceutical Industry?

Various capsules & pills- Picture Courtesy: lifevisionhealthcare.co.in

The importance of laboratory instruments in pharmaceutical industry is so inevitable that no one can even think of producing drugs without having these instruments. The reason is adherence to strict principles regarding the quality control of medicines which are essential for both the drugs as well as patients.

In addition to it, as the unconventional diseases and pandemics are rising, there is a need for increased research and development to counter these challenges. Thus, laboratory instruments play instrumental role in enabling pharmacists to conduct experimentation and test their produced drugs in a safe and hygienic environment.

Apart from this, pharmaceutical industry is also focusing on trailblazing new ways for drug delivery. Few such examples include the creation of oral strips, medicated gummies, and coatings on pills to promote convenient drug consumption. These all are possible with the help of laboratory instruments.

3.Enlist Some Of The Major Laboratory Instruments?

Although, there is a long lasting list of laboratory instruments used in pharmaceutical industry which might feel as a burden to you. However, all these equipment are precise enough with user-friendly operation method that you will hardly require any specialized training. So, let's have a look towards some of the important ones!

Tablet Hardness Tester

ALLPACK- APK-350N Tablet Hardness Tester

Tablet hardness tester is one of the important laboratory instruments used in pharmaceutical industry to test the tablet hardness. It has small footprint with few notable components including an LCD display, stainless steel base, power button, and indenter etc.

This equipment can be easily utilized to know whether the tablet formed is strong enough to resist pressure or not. So, you just need to place the tablet between indenter and start the machine. At the end of operation, you will be provided with complete tablet hardness information on display.

Tablet Friability Tester

ALLPACK- APK-300E Tablet Friability Tester

Another crucial pharmaceutical laboratory instrument is tablet friability tester. As the name indicates, this tool is specifically designed to test the friability level of various tablets including coated, uncoated, and effervescent tablets etc. It is comprised of rotating drum, central wheel, sealing screw, gear motor, and control unit. Together these parts enable the tester to move the tablets in a rotary drum for fixed time period. Consequently, the friability of tablets is found by checking the weight lost after testing.

Disintegration Tester

ALLPACK- APK-3D Disintegration Tester

Disintegration tester is an apparatus that is primarily designed to know a pharmaceutical solid formulation dissolve in a solution. This tool is pretty dynamic that you can use is for tablets, pills, capsules, and even powder. It facilitates convenient operation with simple structure that mainly consists of a disintegration vessel, temperature probe, and a rotating rod. During operation, it provides desired temperature, so, the natural way of disintegration can be conducted.

Dissolution Tester

ALLPACK- APK-8N Dissolution Tester

Dissolution tester quite resemble a disintegration tester but there is a little difference between their purpose as dissolution tester is used for determining the rate at which particular pellet is released. Several components constitute its body among which dissolution vessel, rotating paddle, and disck assembly are the notable ones. It can simply operate and present you with excellent results.

Tap Density Tester

Tap Density Tester TD 1025- Picture Courtesy: labindia-analytical.com

Tap density tester is a significant tool developed to find out the tap density of various granules, powders, flakes, and pellets in pharmaceutical companies. This equipment is best suitable to show you the tapped density of particles by removing the voids and gaps between them. Thus, the actual mass per unit of a powder can be checked.

Leak Test Apparatus

Leak Test Apparatus- Picture Courtesy: pharmaceuticalupdates.com

Leak test apparatus is an outstanding machine designed to test the leaks in finished drugs and food products. For example, it can help you test the blister packs, strips, ointment tubes, and sachets containing powder or liquid. This apparatus consists of a chamber, vacuum lid, pressure gauge, and vacuum pump along with control panel.

Melting Point Apparatus

Melting point apparatus- Picture Courtesy: wolflabs.co.uk

Melting point apparatus is considered important instrument in pharmaceutical processing. It basically deals with the identification of melting point for various crystalline and solid products. Similarly, it becomes essential for conducting testing, research and development, and maintaining the quality control of various drugs.

Gelatin Strength Tester

Gel Strength Test System- Picture Courtesy: biobase.com

Softgel capsules are popularly used to deliver essence, vitamins, and other nutrients in liquid form. Therefore, the strength of gelatin is properly checked under various conditions to ensure its structural integrity for longer period of time. Hence, this device assist you in producing quality softgel capsules.

Transparency Tester

ALLPACK- APK-1 Transparency Tester

Transparency tester is an innovative equipment that provide you with the facility to know the accurate transparency level of certain things encompassing softgel capsules, sampling glass pieces, and plastic sheet etc. It perform this function by the use of powerful light and sensor which helps in the detection of smallest possible changes.

Clarity Tester

ALLPACK- APK-4000A Clarity Tester

The importance of a clarity tester in pharmaceutical industry is itself illustrated by the title. This apparatus is mainly used to detect the unwanted particles in clear liquid solutions like vaccines, injection water, and syrups etc. It is usually comprised of a black and white background in front of which the clear liquid filled solution is placed. Similarly, the application of fluorescence flame help in highlighting the particles.

Flowability Tester

Powder flowability tester- Picture Courtesy: erweka.com

Flowability tester is associated with the task of flowing powders and granules, so, their flow properties could be found. It is greatly useful to categorize the dry powder and particles as free flowing and non free flowing. Thus, pharmacists use this tool when preparing formulations for solid dosage form.

Fluorimeter

Fluorometer, Fluo-100- Picture Courtesy: apexscientific.co.za

Flourimeter is another essential device used for measuring the fluorescence properties of matters in pharmaceutical industry. It is important for the reason that most of the untested particulates causes trouble during operation like flow from hopper into dies when tablets compression take place. Hence, it will provide you the molecular data content.

Laboratory Homogenizer

High Speed Homogenizer D-500 Pro- Picture Courtesy: apexscientific.co.za

Most of the pharmaceutical formulations are in liquid form where solid-liquid and liquid-liquid substances are mixed. However, in some cases, they do not homogenize properly. Therefore, a laboratory homogenizer is used which perfectly reduce the size of particulates in liquid and help in emulsifying, blending, and making suspension.

Lab Mixer

Lab mixer- Picture Courtesy: blibli.com

Lab mixer is an effective solution popularly used in pharmaceutical processing. It is usually employed for liquid-liquid preparations which are difficult to mix manually and require much stirring. In addition, coatings, liquid medications, and oily formulations are mixed with the help of lab mixer.

Moisture Tester

ALLPACK- HQ Series Moisture Tester

Moisture tester is among crucial laboratory instruments which is used for testing the moisture content of various materials. These substances vary from raw ingredients taken for pharmaceutical formulation to the finished pills, tablets, and capsules.

Penetrometer

Cone Penetrometer, Semi-Automatic- Picture Courtesy: humboldtmfg.com

Penetrometer is among other laboratory instruments which is useful for finding the density of range of pharmaceutical products such as creams, ointments, and other personal care products. It works by penetrating the cone into material and noticing the resistance to penetration.

Viscosity Tester

Portable Viscometer Viscolite d15- Picture Courtesy: pce-instruments.com

In your list of mandatory pharmaceutical instruments, viscosity tester must be included. It is a necessary tool that help you to know the viscosity of certain liquids during and after processing. This facilitate the subsequent drug manufacturing.

Refractometer

Refractometer- Picture Courtesy: brouwland.com

In addition to viscosity tester, refractometer is also very useful. It is a device made to measure the refractive index of aqueous solutions, gases, liquids, and translucent solids. In this way, it helps in detecting the water content, sugar content, and salt content in pharmaceutical substances.

Laboratory Incubator

Laboratory incubator- Picture Courtesy: mrclab.com

If you are engaged in growing or maintaining microbial cultures, then laboratory incubator is a must-have device for you. It is an enclosed chamber made from stainless steel where proper system for temperature, humidity, and air is installed. Thus, it provides you an area to deal with cells and tissues in a suitable environment.

Autoclave

Laboratory autoclave- Picture Courtesy: medicalexpo.com

Autoclave is known as steam sterilizer which play a very crucial role in pharmaceutical laboratories. It has a robust structure with a chamber inside which heating system is installed. Its main task is to generate high pressure for killing harmful bacteria and pathogens in order to sterilize particular items.

Centrifuge

Laboratory centrifuge- Picture Courtesy: southwestscience.com

Centrifuge is among other powerful laboratory instruments that works in an excellent manner. It plays pivotal role in separating solid particles from liquids according to their size and volume. It applies gravitational force that causes high density particles to move downside and allow low volume particles to float in the liquid.

Thermal Cycler

Thermal cycler- Picture Courtesy: fishersci.pt

Thermal cycler is an instrument made to aplify the segments of DNA. The device provide controlled environment to facilitate denaturationand reannealing of DNA. The entire modification is carried out responsibly in a suitable temperature.

Lab Filters

Various lab filters- Picture Courtesy: perkinelmer.com

Laboratory filters are large in numbers. They are useful to separate solid particles from samples usually fluid or gases. Mostly, its operation is mechanical and manual where filtration tool is kept over the container and liquid is poured from upside down. Consequently, the undergoing liquid left particles during passage inside the filter.

Lab Furnace

Lab furnace- Picture Courtesy: labec.com.au

The last on the list but not least laboratory instrument we have is lab furnace. It is a box shaped apparatus which is comparatively large in size. The furnace has its own thermal system to provide heat for the melting of certain samples. Because of the sensitivity of some pharmaceutical materials, lab furnace should be choose responsibly as excessive temperature may downgrade the substance quality.

4.What Are The Key Features Of Laboratory Instruments?

Well, laboratory instruments share some of the key features in common which you will be reading in the upcoming paragraphs. So, let's know what these are!

Precise Structure

ALLPACK- Precise APK-200C Tablet Hardness Tester

The top most feature you will find in every laboratory instrument is their precise and compact structure only composed of few parts with small footprint. Thus, they are easy to move, place, and adjust.

Simple Operation

Operator setting laboratory instrument- Picture Courtesy: merlin-pc.com

Another attribute of laboratory instruments is their simple operational procedure that makes them appealing to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Each instrument has a user-friendly display along with control panel which helps in setting and displaying final results.

Approved Quality

All the laboratory instruments which are supposed to be used in pharmaceutical industry are made keeping in view rigid quality regulations. Similarly, the construction material, contact parts, and power system are fully safe against the possible environmental effects.

Easy Maintenance

User maintaining laboratory instrument- Picture Courtesy: ischi.com

Pharmaceutical laboratory instruments are pretty easy to maintain. You just need to open the manual and follow the steps. Almost the steps are common to all including cleaning, tools adjustment, and rare parts changeover.

Cost-effective

Laboratory instruments are cost-effective in a way thamost of them have economical price. In addition to it, these equipment offer convenient operation and little maintenance is required. Ultimately, you don't have to bear extra charges for labors or training etc.

5.What Are The Uses Of Laboratory Instruments?

Laboratory instruments carry huge significance in various fields. It is because these tools are relevant to the practices being carried out there. Some of their prominent uses are explained below:

Pharmaceutical Industry

Various pharmaceutical drugs- Picture Courtesy: joinhubpharma.com

As we know that pharmaceutical industry is continuously involved in producing drugs, so, laboratory instruments are must have equipment to be used there. These instruments can help throughout the manufacturing from mixing ingredients to finding the properties of finished tablets.

Nutraceutical Industry

Nutraceutical drugs- Picture Courtesy: neutragenhealthcare.com

Nutraceutical industry is too engaged in developing nutritional drugs containing vitamins, minerals, and protein. There is a rising demand for nutraceucal products as they have limited side effects. Similarly, laboratory instruments are also becoming important in this field to conduct testing through various stages.

Veterinary Industry

Doctors treating a dog- Picture Courtesy: hbculifestyle.com

Care for animals is a topic being promoted on international level which not include their feeding only rather proper medication to cure their illnesses. In this way, veterinary industry is becoming a full fledged market where drugs development, testing, and their quality control is paid heed. In such a scenario, laboratory instruments are applicable to be used for drug processing.

Cosmetic Industry

Moisturizing cream presentation idea- Picture Courtesy: connect.in-cosmetics.com

The use of softgels, ointments, and other beauty related medications is prevalent now a days. As these products are meant to be used for face and skin etc., responsible processing is being carried out in hygienic environment which is perfectly provided by laboratory instruments. Thus, these tools can help in the testing of cosmetic products.

Chemical Industry

Chemical in beaker- Picture Courtesy: Shutterstock

Laboratory instruments are also popularly used in chemical industry to mix various ingredients and form different solutions like chlorine tablets and coatings etc. Therefore, for their testing and determining properties such apparatuses are necessary.

6.Explain The Cleaning And Handling Requirements Of Laboratory Instruments?

While laboratory instruments are easy to operate, proper maintenance is key to stabilize their performance and extend their shelf life. You should take care of these instruments by regular cleaning and handling. In this way, underlying tips can be helpful:

Operator cleaning laboratory tablet hardness tester- Picture Courtesy: medicalexpo.com

Cleaning

Cleaning here simply means to disinfect your laboratory instruments by removing out the debris and residues. For this you need to:

• Carry out regular wipe out of all the external parts of your equipment.
• Make sure to deep clean the internal parts at least once a week by disassembling the components. It will help eliminate the internal dirt that might affect drug quality.
• Make sure to use recommended cleaning agent for dampening of cloth and avoid use of direct water by following manual of the concerned instrument.

Maintenance

Maintaining refers to how you handle your laboratory instruments to keep them on right track. You need to:

• Calibrate your devices each time you intend to operate them. It will reduce the risk of parts damage and malfunctioning.
• Another significant aspect is to check your equipment time to time for repairs and worn out parts because minor negligence can negatively affect other areas of the machine.
• Check for structural tools adjustment and parameters setting of the tools which, if not dealt properly, often cause obstruction in a successful testing.

7.Factors To Consider When Buying Laboratory Instruments?

Every entrepreneur want to purchase machines which last longer, so, optimal benefits can be taken by their use. Similar is the case with laboratory instruments which are brought by pharmaceutical manufacturers but the difference is of area and type of equipment. That's why, we have pointed out some pertinent tips for you to follow which will definitely lead you towards finding the ideal instruments. These are as follows:

Production Requirements

Pharmaceutical laboratory- Picture Courtesy: outsource.contractlaboratory.com

As production level vary from small to medium and large scale, so, you need to examine what are your production requirements. It will help you to opt for the laboratory instruments which are most compatible. For instance, if you want efficiency them opt for instruments with speedy and multifunctional specifications. Otherwise, standard or normal level equipment will be good for you.

Space

ALLPACK- APK-6DN Tablet Tester

Space available in your lab also matters a lot when choosing between various types of laboratory instruments. For example, if you have shortage of space but need multiple instruments, so, you can simply opt for a multinational tablet tester instead of buying four separate devices including tablet hardness tester, tablet friability tester, tablet dissolution tester, and tablet disintegration tester.

Cost

Cost is the most common yet important aspect to always look for. So, don't be shy to discuss the overall cost of laboratory instruments along with their working and maintenance cost. It will simply enable you to pick up the instruments under your range and make best use of them instead of regretting later.

Quality Compliance

Compliance icon- Picture Courtesy: pharmaceuticalonline.com

When considering laboratory instruments for your pharmaceutical industry never overlook the factor of checking the quality compliance of instruments because pharma industry revolves around strict adherence to international safety regulations. This is pretty simple as you just need to check and ask your vendor for the necessary certifications and quality standards accredited to the equipment.

Conclusion

So, the bottom line of Laboratory Instruments: The Complete FAQ Guide In 2024 is simply to bring in your knowledge the most important tools you will always need for carrying out pharmaceutical processings. Although, the above mentioned list of equipment is not a complete one as there are many other small to large tools, however, these are some of the must-have ones. Employing these apparatuses can greatly help you. Now, if you want to purchase the entire list or some of them, make sure to consider ALLPACK where you will find every laboratory instrument with sophisticated design, latest technology, and high quality with one year of warranty. You can contact us through our website!