Cleaning and Operating Procedure for Sifter

INTRODUCTION
The sifter is used to sift the various excepients such as Starch, Talcum, Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid etc. It is also used to sift active materials also. Proper cleaning of the sifter at the end of sifting process ensures prevents of cross contamination.
PROCEDURE
As soon as the sifting process is over, dismantle the following parts:
a. SS feed hopper
b. SS frame, holding the sieve in place
c. SS wire mesh sieve.
1. Remove all the residual powder adhering to the above mentioned articles with the help of a nylon brush.
2. Wash these articles with the help of running hot water.
3. Wash these articles with sponge using 0.1% TEEPOL.
4. Clean these articles with running hot water for at least 10 minutes to remove all traces of detergent.
5. Drain off all the water and dry all the articles with the help of a hot air blower.
6. Clean the exterior of the sifter stand and motor assembly with the help of a lint free wet cloth.
7. Carry out step 1 to 5 for the SS base plate with discharge outlet attached to the sifter stand.
8. Assemble all the cleaned / drier articles from step 5 on the sifter stand frame.
9. Affix a cleaning label incorporating the following information :
a. Name of the Equipment
b. Name of the last product sifted
c. Name of the operator who cleaned the equipment
d. Date of cleaning
e. Supervised by
f. Caution : Please clean before use.
SIFTING OF POWDERED EXCEPIENT / ACTIVE MATERIAL
OBJECTIVE :
It is essential to use the powdered excepients and the active materials for the manufacturing of tablets which are free from any extraneous materials like black particles, wooden or metallic particles or any pieces of the packaging material. This is necessary to prevent entry of these extraneous materials to the finally compressed tablets. Presence of such extraneous materials is also not advisable from the aesthetic point of view since the description of any colored or white tablet defines absence of any extraneous material. Due attention should be given to the sifting activity.
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
To impart horizontal rotary motion to the particle by gyrator vibration generated out of balance flywheel. Due to absence of vertical movement, bouncing of the particles does not take place and thus presenting permanent clear screen apertures. The above machine is used to sift cornstarch, magnesium stearate and talcum (through 100 # SS screen) in order to obtain a material of uniform particle size and free from foreign particles.
METHOD OF OPERATION / WORKING
1. The portable sifter, fitted with sturdy castor wheels is placed near the air exhausting system.
2. Suitable size SS screen mesh is fitted on the machine and then locked with the charging port.
3. The operators should wear nose mask, goggles and hand gloves while handling the material.
4. The amplitude of vibration is adjusted by movable weight on the flywheel.
5. The amount of material on the screen should be small so that passage of small particles is not obstructed by larger particles.
6. The motion should not be too vigorous so as to cause size reduction of the particles or damage to the screen.
7. The sifted material is collected in a clean polyethylene bag fitted in a clean container / bucket. The dust and other particles remaining over the screen are thrown away. Poly ethylene bag is tied with a thread++ tightly and the container / bucket closed with a lid. The container is to be properly labelled.
8. After completion of sifting of the material the changing port, the wire mesh screen and the other SS parts coming directly into with the product are cleaned with hot water and drier. The other parts of the machine are cleaned by using vacuum cleaner.