L.B. Bohle White Paper – VMA 600 Ex CIP Features and Advantages for Single Pot Granulation

A new technical bulletin from pharmaceutical equipment specialist L.B. Bohle Maschinen und Verfahren GmbH outlines the performance advantages of its VMA 600 Ex CIP single pot granulator for pharmaceutical powder processing.

The GMP-compliant system integrates three core unit operations — blending, high shear wet granulation and drying — into a single contained process bowl. Operating under vacuum with full PLC automation, the platform significantly reduces material handling steps, improves containment, and minimizes cross-contamination risk.

Dual agitator configuration

A key feature of the VMA 600 Ex CIP is its dual-agitator design, combining an impeller and chopper within the process bowl. This configuration generates high shear forces and effective de-lumping, ensuring uniform, high-quality granules — even for formulations containing low-dosage APIs (<1%).

The double-jacketed bowl enables low-temperature vacuum drying, making the system well suited for temperature-sensitive products. Three drying modes are available: pure vacuum drying, vacuum drying with strip gas (VAGAS®), or vacuum microwave drying.

Process control and scalability

The automated granulation workflow includes vacuum powder feeding, blending, controlled binder addition via mass flow sensor and peristaltic pump, and optional wet massing.

Organic solvent vapors are efficiently condensed using chilled systems (-30 °C to +5 °C), enabling solvent recovery and environmentally responsible emission control below 20% LEL.

Additional advantages include automated, recipe-controlled CIP cleaning, compact system footprint, reduced product contact surfaces for rapid changeover, and integrated discharge via inline turbo sieve. With batch capacities up to 480 liters, the VMA 600 Ex CIP delivers scalable, high-performance single pot granulation for modern pharmaceutical manufacturing.

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