Thursday, October 19, 2006

Press analyses tablet compression phases

Simulator is a single-punch press used to duplicate and analyse precompression, compression, and ejection phases in industrial tablet-production presses under identical production conditions.

Designed for use in pharmaceutical research laboratories, the STYLCAM 200R Simulator is a single-punch press used to duplicate and analyse precompression, compression, and ejection phases in industrial tablet-production presses under identical conditions to those of a unit producing up to 300,000 tablets/h. It allows the operator to test punches, optimise primary parameters, produce small clinical batches, about 2,500 tablets per hour, and create real prototypes of production batches without stopping manufacturing. Fully automated, the press is an ideal solution for characterizing powder compressibility capacities using just a few grams of the active powder, it can produce a single tablet if required.

Flexible and easy to operate and clean, it uses an oil-less lubrication technology for the punches, has a sealed compression zone, and works with standard tools.

It is equipped with an adjustable mechanical cam connected to a programmable electronic cam.

For analysis, the press uses Analis acquisition and regulation software, which guarantees the accuracy of predictive analyses from the first phase of research.

It is used to set optimum precompression parameters for formulation, to avoid capping, to detect the adhesive forces of new punches, or to choose the best tools for tablets with a break line.

In Bourg en Bresse, France, Medelpharm has a test laboratory where the STYLCAM can be tested.

A team of compression analysis specialists, such as technicians and pharmacists, answer questions asked by laboratories concerning formulation, industrial development and in-process trouble-shooting.

* About Medelpharm - Medelpharm specialises in powder compression, with solutions from research and development to production and maintenance.

Medelpharm designs and produces research presses and its OPTITAB laboratory provides studies, formulations, and other services linked to compression.

Its workshop repairs, renovates, and maintains production presses of all kinds.

Medelpharm will be at the AAPS trade show in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, from November 7 to 9, 2005, at booth 2102.

Inhibiting bacterial contamination in cleanrooms

Emma Scowen looks at the development of the latest generation of anti microbial films, explains how they work and how they can be applied in cleanrooms.

Achieving and maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness in all cleanrooms is critical. Pharmaceutical cleanrooms require in addition that environments are also sterile or free from bacterial contamination that could threaten production and laboratory processes. Negligible levels of microorganism contamination could adversely affect processes, leading to shutdown and expensive decontamination processes - prevention is therefore the byword for excellence in good working practices in these complex environments.

* Fighting the threat of bacteria - the latest cleanrooms use a combination of sophisticated cleaning, extraction and purging systems, together with rigorous cleaning regimes to ensure that environmental standards are adhered to.

The focus, however, often tends to be on the use of specialised equipment and aggressive cleaning agents, neglecting the role of microorganism-inhibiting materials in the fabric of the cleanroom and on the equipment used.

* Latest Innovations - for example, recent work carried out jointly by MacDermid Autotype, the leading developer and manufacturer of high performance films and chemicals, and Microban International, the world leading company in antimicrobial technology dedicated to enhancing high quality consumer, industrial and medical products with built-in protection against microbes, has led to the introduction of an innovative antimicrobial film substrate.

Called Autotex AM, this unique, hard coated polyester film substrate incorporates built-in Microban antimicrobial protection, making it the first material of its type to inhibit the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, mould and mildew.

The film substrate has been developed and designed specifically for the overlay film on any surface application, for instance membrane keypads, fascia panels, wall coverings, shelf and bench tops, where durability and anti-microbial protection are essential.

The film is primed so that it can be printed on the reverse surface using a variety of printing methods, from short-run digital, to high volume screen-printing methods.

Due to its clarity Autotex AM can be used to reproduce attractive patterns and even photorealistic images, all encapsulated behind its antimicrobial surface.

Signage, door panels, attractive switches and an almost infinite range of new applications can now be devised for these sterile environments.

The Microban antimicrobial technology is incorporated into the textured coating during the manufacturing process of Autotex AM.

This ensures both an even distribution of the antimicrobial agent throughout the texture and film surface together with the permanence of the active agent, for as long as the robust film's surface is not significantly damaged.

The Microban antimicrobial technology works by interfering with the cell wall of microorganisms that come into contact with the surface of the film, disrupting key cell functions and preventing microbes from functioning, growing or reproducing.

By continuously fighting the growth of harmful bacteria this antimicrobial technology provides constant protection against bacterial cross contamination.

Essentially, the dependable and constant antimicrobial protection provided by the film contributes to improved hygiene levels in the cleanroom and ensures that the film surface remains free of damaging microbes in the intervals between normal cleaning procedures.

This new generation of film substrates has been developed to offer major benefits to both manufacturers and end users alike.

The antimicrobial substrates boast an extremely long flex life, making them ideal for tactile membrane keys or curved surfaces; they can easily be embossed without creating stress fractures or weak points; and offer a consistent low gloss, textured surface with high levels of light transmission.

Additionally, they are scratch and chemical resistant, and can withstand the rigors of everyday use.

* Testing in extreme conditions - in order to prove the efficiency, as well as to ensure that customers and end users are confident in its long-term antimicrobial performance, these innovative products were tested independently.

Autotex AM underwent extensive testing by one of the UK's leading independent and accredited analytical testing bodies.

Using standard test protocols that simulated real life cleaning regimes Autotex AM was subjected to a period presenting 15 years of usage.

In addition tests were carried out on a variety of different samples, including unprocessed samples taken straight from the production line, samples that had undergone 24h soak tests in phenol based disinfectant, bleach, quaternary ammonium based disinfectant and aggressive chemicals including MEK, ethanol and IPA.

Further samples underwent testing to simulate extreme surface wear; this included the texture peaks being removed using sand paper and the surface being polished using wire wool until it was smooth.

The test results highlighted the mechanical and physical properties of the new film substrate and, most importantly, showed that the material achieved a durable biocidal kill result, in most cases at a rate of more than 99%, for a wide range of bacteria, fungi and moulds including Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia Coli (E.

Coli) and Listeria Monocytogenes.

Although the use of this new generation of films will not eliminate the need for general cleanliness and hygiene, they nevertheless represent a significant step forward in cleanrooms and provide a proven and continual protection against the risk of bacterial contamination.

For the first time ever, there is an antimicrobial protected, hardcoated film substrate of exceptional clarity and toughness, ideal for the production of long lasting photo realistic images in hygiene critical environments.

* Summary - contamination control within the cleanroom environment is vital for the production of safe and effective products.

Despite the varying degrees of classification, even those cleanrooms with higher classifications, such as Class 10,000 or Class 100,000, should seek to attain the highest possible levels of cleanliness and hygiene.

The introduction of innovative products, such as these antimicrobial films, is making this more financially feasible and simpler to achieve.

Implementing such products can substantially reduce cross contamination risks, in turn, reducing the likelihood of the serious consequences that could otherwise occur.

* About MacDermid Autotype - MacDermid Autotype is the leading global innovator, designer, developer and manufacturer of specialised coating technology for films used in a wide range of applications.

These include touch and vision systems, membrane switches, Film insert moulding (FIM) products for the automotive, telecommunications and domestic appliances sector and screen printing.

With specialist expertise in precision coating technology, MacDermid Autotype, transforms and enhances the performance of films for many high technology and demanding applications.

In recent years MacDermid Autotype has brought screen printing to new levels of control and repeatability, reinforcing the benefits of the process for new applications such as flexible circuit printing, DVD and industrial glass printing.

MacDermid Autotype's most recent launches have been of antimicrobial hard coated films for hygiene critical surface applications and of diffuser and anti-reflection films for use in flat panel displays.

The company is part of MacDermid of Denver, Colorado, USA.

MacDermid is a leading supplier of offset blanket, flexo plates and Colorspan ink jet printers and supplies, and of chemicals for industrial finishing, including plating and coating of metals and plastics.

* About Microban - Microban International is a global technology and marketing company dedicated to enhancing high quality consumer, industrial and medical products with branded built-in protection from microbes.

Microban International licenses the Microban global brand name, sells custom-engineered compounds, and provides a range of services, including regulatory and marketing support.

The Microban brand promises continuous and durable anti-microbial product protection, built-in during manufacture to not wear out for the useful life of the product.

Microban International is headquartered in New York City with operations in the United States, Europe and Asia, and sales offices worldwide.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Hard-coated polyester film has 99% MRSA kill rate

Hard-coated polyester film that incorporates antimicrobial protection, has successfully undergone extensive testing by one of the UK's leading independent, analytical testing bodies.

Autotex AM, the new hard-coated polyester film from MacDermid Autotype that incorporates Microban Antimicrobial protection, has undergone extensive testing by one of the UK's leading independent, analytical testing bodies. The antimicrobial properties of the new substrate were tested against a number of harmful bacteria, including MRSA and E.Coli 0157. For both of these bacteria, Autotex AM with Microban antibacterial protection demonstrated a kill rate of more than 99%.

Using standard test protocols that simulated real life cleaning regimes, Autotex AM with Microban antibacterial protection was subjected to a period representing 15 years of usage.

The tests were carried out on a variety of different samples, including unprocessed samples taken straight from the production line, plus samples that were subjected to simulated graphics printing such as jet dryer passes, fusion UV passes and passes under IR lamps.

In addition, film samples underwent testing to simulate extreme surface wear; this included the texture being partly removed using sand paper and the surface polished using wire wool until it was smooth.

Finally, to simulate the process of embossing, film samples were stretched by 20% in both MD and TD directions.

'This level of testing is designed to give customers and end users the confidence in the long term performance of the new Autotex AM with Microban antibacterial protection substrate,' Emma Scowen, industrial product manager for Autotype International explains, 'These test results are excellent news in terms of addressing the problems of MRSA, as the film can be used for any hygiene critical surface application where preventing the growth and spread of bacteria is essential.

The substrate is ideal for any surface application such as membrane keyboards, fascia panels, wall coverings, shelf and bench tops.' * About Microban - Microban International is a global technology and marketing company dedicated to enhancing high quality consumer, industrial and medical products with branded built-in protection from microbes.

Microban International licenses the Microban global brand name, sells custom-engineered compounds, and provides a range of services, including regulatory and marketing support.

The Microban brand promises continuous and durable antimicrobial product protection, built-in during manufacture to not wear out for the useful life of the product.

Microban International is headquartered in New York City with operations in the United States, Europe and Asia, and sales offices worldwide.

* About MacDermid Autotype - MacDermid Autotype is the leading global innovator, designer, developer and manufacturer of specialised coating technology for films used in a wide range of applications.

These include touch and vision systems, membrane switches, Film insert moulding (FIM) products for the automotive, telecommunications and domestic appliances sector and screen printing.

With specialist expertise in precision coating technology, MacDermid Autotype, transforms and enhances the performance of films for many high technology and demanding applications.

In recent years MacDermid Autotype has brought screen printing to new levels of control and repeatability, reinforcing the benefits of the process for new applications such as flexible circuit printing, DVD and industrial glass printing.

MacDermid Autotype's most recent launches have been of antimicrobial hard coated films for hygiene critical surface applications and of diffuser and anti-reflection films for use in flat panel displays.

Coil springs ned 50% less space

A leading supplier of engineering components to the pharmaceutical industry offers springs that deliver equal deflection compared with conventional coil springs but typically consume 50% less space.

Fastening specialist, TFC showed its range of Smalley Spirawave springs and retaining rings at the recent ComPaMED exhibition, Dusseldorf. TFC is a leading supplier of engineering components to the pharmaceutical industry, providing its customers with a range of high specification products. Spirawave springs deliver equal deflection compared with conventional coil springs but typically consume 50% less space, providing an effective solution to compression applications where radial or axial spaces are tight.

Smalley retaining rings offer shallow material depth, 360 support and no ears to interfere with mating components making them ideal for use in medical applications where axial space is restricted.

TFC has over 1,000 standard Smalley springs and rings in stock, all of which can be easily found using the component finding facility on the TFC website.

For truly unique applications, custom designs can be satisfied quickly without tooling.

* About TFC - TFC plc is dedicated to providing customers with engineering solutions that incorporate the use of high quality fasteners and ring and spring products.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Lubricant training programme organised

A lubricants and technical support provider to the pharmaceutical industry, has recently helped a plant engineering team to devise a comprehensive lubricant training programme for a hundred engineers.

Castrol, which provides lubricants and technical support to the pharmaceutical industry, has recently helped a plant engineering team in the North West UK to devise a comprehensive lubricant training programme for a hundred engineers. The plant employs about 600 people manufacturing antibiotics and other pharmaceutical products. Processing equipment at the site totals around 1,000 machines including compressors, mixers, gearboxes, turbines, treatment plant, cooling towers with fans and pumps, etc.

The engineering team at the site had always followed the equipment manufacturers' recommendations for lubrication, which meant they were buying products from a number of different suppliers.

When, in 1994, they decided to rationalise lubricant usage, Castrol was one of number of suppliers invited to present a proposal.

Commenting on the review, the site Engineering Manager said Castrol's approach was very thorough, starting with a complete survey of the site to produce a schedule of lubricants for all the various machines.

'One of the main reasons we chose to work with Castrol was the overall engineering support they can provide and the breadth of experience we could easily access.

' He says.

Castrol lubricants are now specified throughout the site.

The engineering team handles stock and lubricant management in-house, but relies on Castrol for trouble shooting, problem solving, and help in identifying additional opportunities to rationalise lubricant use.

Quoting an example, the Engineering Manager says Castrol is helping with the trial of a single lubricant in the site's turbines, to replace the three or four that are currently used.

The plant also operates its own condition monitoring and the engineering team works closely with the Jost Institute of Technology - part of the University of Central Lancashire - which puts plant engineers at the forefront of the technology, especially with lubricants.

Even so, Castrol engineers have been invited to the site and have contributed useful suggestions that the team had not thought of.

However, whilst acknowledging the quality and level of support that Castrol provides, the Engineering Manager says that a recent and extremely important contribution Castrol has made to the site's lubricant management programme is the participation of account managers Steve Lampkowski and David Gibbin in helping to devise and present a joint lubrication training seminar for one hundred of the plant's engineers.

Says Steve Lampkowski: 'Quality is a vital issue in a plant where all the processing equipment is operating in ultra clean conditions, so we needed to ensure that the lubricants were applied and maintained correctly in every machine.' Castrol was involved from the beginning, working with a team comprising the plant engineering manager and the training and development manager to agree the key objectives for the seminar which were: to provide underpinning knowledge in lubrication basics, the care and storage of lubricants and the application of food grade lubricants.

The training focused on lubrication fundamentals, site applications, equipment reliability and good manufacturing practice (GMP) for food grade lubricants, and involved all staff who specify, change or use lubricants, and those who have a responsibility for equipment maintenance and reliability.

Initially Castrol provided technical information and a draft presentation on CD.

This, together with the site's own data, was then used to produce a presentation.

The seminar was presented to an audience of one hundred, which included staff ranging from managers to fitters and a small number of regular contractors who work on projects on the site.

Following the four half-day training sessions all delegates underwent an assessment devised jointly by the site team and Castrol.

All scored above the required 80% pass level and were presented with certificates to mark the successful completion of the training.

The seminar was supported with a comprehensive training pack, including a CD from Castrol, which was presented to everyone who participated.

Explaining the importance of the seminar, the Engineering Manager says lubrication was identified as a key element within a comprehensive programme of engineering training that addresses issues such plant reliability, right-first-time practices, etc.

He adds that the programme plays an essential part in demonstrating compliance with the Provision and Use of work equipment regulations (PUWER) and has included a risk assessment to determine where food grade lubricants should be used.

As part of the exercise Steve Lampkowski and David Gibbin also spent time updating the lubrication schedules for all the machines on site.

These revised schedules, together with the relevant standards, also formed part of the training package.

The Engineering Manager says the motivation for developing the training programme was to ensure that the highest standards of lubrication are maintained throughout the plant.

However, he reports that, whilst it is difficult to quantify financial benefits from this type of training, they are seeing improved levels of staff awareness at the plant in areas such as order processing, safe lubricant storage and machine maintenance.

Summing up, he says 'We are proud of the seminar, which has generated interest from other plants within the UK group.

Automation aimed at medical/pharmaceutical work

Six automation systems from suppliers employed in a range of medical and pharmaceutical applications include automated assembly, soldering systems, workbenches and sub-micron assembly.

Contax , the leading independent production automation system specialist, will be exhibiting at the MDT (Medical Device Technology) Show at the NEC, Birmingham, UK, on 15-16 February 2006. On its stand, number 412 in Hall 10, Contax will be presenting six automation solutions from world-class suppliers, which have been employed in a range of medical and pharmaceutical applications. These include: * Komax Systems (formerly Sibos) bespoke automation solutions for automated assembly.

These incorporate a wide range of processes including inspection.

* MTA Automation - specialist soldering and dispensing equipment for stand alone and assembly lines.

* Sigma - lean assembly systems offering an excellent price/performance ratio.

Sigma also offers a range of Manumation optimised (semi-automated) workbenches.

* Sysmelec - assembly machines for very demanding or high precision assembly processes including sub-micron assembly.

* Shuttleworth - cleanroom conveyoring systems.

Highly specialised conveyors that are designed to work with automated technology and offer the option of a variety of devices and specialised rollers to successfully position brittle or fragile products.

Furthermore, all Shuttleworth conveyors feature its Slip-Torque technology which reduces backpressure accumulation and prevents product damage.

* Phoenix|x-ray - 3D inspection systems.

Phoenix|x-ray offers both computed tomography (CT) and 3D laminography systems for 3D inspection.

Its v|tome|x range for microfocus CT can provide ultra high resolution down to 3 micron voxel, with visualisation software offering a range of sophisticated features such as colour filters, morphological segmentations, surface modelling and measurements.

'At MDT 2006, we will be presenting the best of our automation solutions for the medical industry,' said Mike Rapson, managing director at Contax .

'We have had extensive experience in the medical and pharmaceutical arena in the UK and Ireland, and recognise the need for their exacting standards and high level of product customisation,' he said.

'The products on display at MDT represent the 'best of breed' in their class.

For example, we have installed a CT system from phoenix|x-ray at Imperial College to assist in a study into biomaterials, and MTA systems are currently in use at Guidant Corporation, a world leader in the design and development of cardiovascular medical devices.

Our product offerings cover a wide range of processes and applications including: dispensing, curing, inspection and assembly.

The medical industry is facing many challenges now in the move towards greater automation.

Contax has the industry experience and specialised knowledge to guide our customers through the wide range of systems available, and help them select and install those best suited to their needs,' he concluded.

* About Contax - Contax is one of the UK and Ireland's most comprehensive suppliers of automation equipment.

Products range from PCB assembly, automatic optical and x-ray inspection, reflow solder, screen printing, precision liquid dispensing, cable preparation, robotic soldering and robotic assembly as well as cleaning systems.

All of this is backed up by Contax's unique support programme called 'hands-on' and an extensive second user department to fully support their installed base.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Optical system inspects softgel capsules

An optical inspection system for softgels automatically inspects each softgel capsule at high production speeds and identifies and removes defective softgels and foreign capsules.

Symetix, the Pharmaceutical Business Unit of Key Technology, introduces Optyx SG, an optical inspection system for softgels. Optyx SG automatically inspects each softgel capsule at high production speeds and identifies and removes defective softgels and foreign capsules from the product stream. Automating inspection with Optyx SG enhances product quality and improves production line efficiency while significantly reducing labor costs.

As softgel manufacturers race to automate their production lines, continuous processes are replacing batch processes.

Symetix enables this paradigm shift with Optyx SG.

If needed, manufacturers can batch-feed the bulk-to-bulk Optyx SG today and later integrate the continuous inspection system with other continuous processes to achieve 100 percent, in-line inspection at full production speeds.

To assure final product quality, Optyx SG is located immediately prior to packaging.

With unmatched precision, Optyx SG verifies product color, size, and shape to assure every softgel capsule conforms to product specifications.

With ultra-high resolution 0.17mm square pixels, Optyx SG reliably detects and removes foreign capsules as well as the smallest color and shape defects, including air bubbles, stained capsules and misshapen product.

Unlike manual inspection, Optyx SG is objective and consistent, which improves final product quality.

Automating inspection with Optyx SG increases product yield by minimising the removal of acceptable product, which is common with manual inspection.

Optyx SG reduces the risk of contamination by minimising human contact with product.

Based on labor savings alone, Optyx SG offers payback as rapid as one year.

Improvements in production efficiency further speed payback.

Optyx SG uses Key's proprietary color cameras to view product - either two cameras are located above the product stream or four cameras are located both above and below the product stream, depending on the application.

As product passes through the system, it is launched off the end of the Optyx belt for in-air viewing by the cameras.

Using proprietary image processing technology, the system quickly analyses the images, comparing each object to previously defined accept/reject standards.

When defective product or foreign capsules are identified, the system activates the close-coupled high-speed ejector system, which is made up of a series of air jets spaced 6mm apart that span the width of the system.

While the defective object is still air-borne, the air jets pinpoint the object to remove it from the acceptable product stream.

The Optyx SG can inspect up to 900,000 softgel capsules per hour.

Designed to meet FDA requirements and comply with GAMP 4 guidelines, Optyx SG benefits from Key Technology's 10 year history of supplying FDA-validated inspection systems to the pharmaceutical industry and 50-year history of supplying innovative technology to the food industry.

Symetix offers complete engineering services and validation packages.

The icon-based graphical user interface (GUI) is easy to learn and use, reducing operator training and simplifying operation.

Product settings can be stored and retrieved for fast product changeover.

The GUI can reside locally on the system and can be accessed remotely via network or Internet, enhancing the flexibility in the operating environment and easing access for remote factory troubleshooting and application assistance.

Sophisticated real-time and on-demand diagnostics help minimize and avoid costly downtime, and detect conditions that could compromise inspection.

* About Symetix - Symetix, launched in September 2005, is the Pharmaceutical Business Unit of Key Technology, the leading manufacturer of best-in-class process automation systems with over 50 years of experience in the food, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries.

SYMETIX offers worldwide sales representation and maintains demonstration and testing facilities at Key's headquarters and manufacturing divisions in Walla Walla, Washington, USA, and at Key Technology BV in Beusichem, the Netherlands.

Key's common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market tier of The NASDAQ Stock MarketSM under the symbol: KTEC.

Distributed control eases pharmaceutical headache

Using distributed process automation controllersa pharmaceutical company has been able to successfully extended its utilities DCS to handle smaller projects well within budget.

Pfizer's Sandwich site use Omniflex distributed controllers to provide reliable extensions to their Utilities DCS well within budget. Using the Maxiflex Distributed Process Automation Controllers from Omniflex, Pfizer have been able to successfully extended their utilities DCS to handle smaller projects well within budget. Pfizer is the principal subsidiary in the United Kingdom of Pfizer, USA,.

and is the largest pharmaceutical Company in the UK.

Every month over two million patients in the UK are prescribed a Pfizer medicine.

Pfizer in Sandwich currently use the MaxDNA DCS to control and monitor all of their Utilities operations (approx 6000 I/O).

It has been an excellent system, has been upgraded many times and has given sixteen years of trouble free service.

The only drawback is the cost of the hardware which is prohibitive on some of the smaller projects that Pfizer wanted to do.

Pfizer decided to find a reliable system that would interface with the MaxDNA but at a much reduced cost.

Pfizer finally chose the Maxiflex Process Automation Controller (PAC) system from Omniflex.

Key factors in their choice were the ISaGraf IEC61131 programming language which is the same as the MaxDNA, and the built in serial interface compatible with the MaxDNA system.

Using the Conet industrial LAN, Pfizer were able to extend their distributed control network to areas not previously viable.

Conet is the world's most rugged LAN, allowing reliable industrial strength communications on existing plant wiring up to 10km in a full 'peer-to-peer' configuration.

Capabilities for report by exception, dual redundancy and multiple network segments to suit the plant topology are features of the Conet network.Conet networks can support up to 126 nodes per segment, and can also be interconnected with radio, PSTN and GSM networks to provide an extremely versatile communications infrastructure.

A Maxiflex Node was installed as a gateway to the MaxDNA via a Modbus connection on RS485.

A Conet highway was then established between the gateway and eight Maxiflex P3 nodes around the plant running on existing plant cabling.

These nodes are used to control and monitor some of the plant's smaller projects.

The information is then transferred seamlessly to the MaxDNA system via the Maxiflex gateway link.

'The system has been running for about ten months now with 100% reliability.

It was found to be easy to program and interfaced perfectly with the MaxDNA,' said Tony Perry, Pfizer's senior engineer responsible for utilities.

'We found the technical support was second to none and most queries were sorted on the phone in a friendly and helpful manner.

Queries that could not be answered immediately were replied too within a day either via the phone or by email.

All in all we have found the Omniflex system was just what we were looking for and allowed us to progress the smaller projects well within budget.'